The Premack Principle

It only seems fitting that our first post should be about this easy but very effective strategy!! The Premack Principle also known as “Grandma’s Rule” is giving access to a preferred activity or item contingent on completing a non-preferred task/activity. I bet you have used the Premack Principle and don’t even realize it. How many of you have told your child “eat your vegetables first and then you can have ice cream” or “finish your homework first and then you can go outside to play”? This is the Premack Principle. However, I there are a few keys to success that you need to know when implementing the Premack Principle. First, use as few words as possible. Many children with autism struggle significantly with auditory processing (taking information in through their ears and understanding it). This is why visual supports are so effective with children with autism. For example, instead of “finish your homework first and then you can go outside to play”, you would say “First homework/Then play outside”. This is short and concise which makes the spoken language much easier to understand. Next, use visual supports to help your child understand what you are asking. By using the visual support, you are providing a visual representation of the expectation and increasing the likelihood that your child with understand what is expected and follow the instruction. Last but certainly not least, be consistent and stick with it. It can be very hard to follow through with the expectation especially when your child exhibits problem behavior to try to get his/her way, but if you do not follow through, you will likely reinforce the problem behavior which will increase the likelihood that your child will exhibit the same behavior when presented with the task in the future. I hope that you find this strategy and information helpful with your child!! Please comment with any questions you may have, and I will work to answer them for you.
I have created a First/Then visual support for you. Please visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store download it for free. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/First-Coffee-Then-Aba It may not have every picture you need, but you can always print additional pictures or cut out pictures from a magazine to use. I hope you will use this resource and that it is beneficial for your family. Please consider sharing our page with others so that we can help as many families and professionals as possible!! With love, Kimberly W.