Balance Program

Materials for Parents

Program Goals

Initial goals
• Strengthen trust in the parent-child relationship
• Allow the child some control of his/her experiences via communication
• Teach the child that problem behavior is unnecessary

Ultimate goals
• Create balance between child-led and adult-led interactions
• Allow for some shared control of the daily activities and interactions
• Teach both parent and child to be present and available to each other
• Prepare the child for inevitable daily disappointments and ambiguities
• Provide the child with hope that all drudgery eventually ends and the understanding that good
things follow good behavior
• Develop a repertoire of life skills: communication, toleration, and cooperation

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 What to Expect

Here is what happens in each visit during the ten-step teaching process:

Before the Visit

Place the 2 bins in the teaching area

Allow your child to select new things to put in the fun bin
Have your child use the bathroom or change his/her diaper

First 5 min

Bring your child and the coach to the teaching area

Talk about the objectives for the visit

Next 20 min

Ask questions about the skills you practiced since the last visit
Demonstrate 5 trials of the skill you’ve been practicing with your child. Your coach will not prompt you
while you do this—just do your best!
 If your child doesn’t respond as expected on his/her own, prompt him/her
 Provide different outcomes for desired behavior and problem behavior
Afterwards, your coach will talk with you about what went well, offer some suggestions, and answer your
questions

Next 30 min

Your coach will provide you with a sheet describing the next step. Take a few minutes to read this.
Your coach will discuss the rationale for the step, show you how this step should look, and role play the step
with you if you’d like.
Practice the step with your child. Your coach will offer guidance.

Final 5 min

Review what to practice between now and next visit

Plan practice times between now and next session. Just 5-10 min each! It really helps if you can choose
consistent practice times each day, such as 5-10 min right after breakfast and 5-10 min right after dinner.
Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley
 Step 1: Promote Play

Purpose

Encourage your child to play

Create a context in which problem behavior is unlikely
Strengthen parent-child relationship

Parent’s Goals
Provide access to many of child’s most-liked items and activities
• Allow continuous and uninterrupted access to everything in the fun bin for 5 minutes
Let your child lead the activities
• Observe what your child is doing, wait for an indication s/he wants you to join in, and then
do what you think s/he wants you to do
Express interest in and approval of your child’s activities
• Respond to all of your child’s comments, questions, requests
• Compliment your child’s play at least 2 times in 5 minutes
Avoid making playtime seem like work to your child
• Avoid asking questions or giving directions.
Child’s Goal
Make statements instead:
Engage with items e.g.,
from“Ithe fun
can biniffor
help mostlike”
you’d of the 5 minutes, with no problem behavior

To Do • Don’t try to teach or prompt language.

Practice for 5 min at a time, at least 2 times per day until the next visit

1. Provide entire fun bin (not just one item at a time).

2. Allow your child to do whatever s/he likes with the materials, including stereotypy (or “self stim”).
3. Be present and available to your child the whole time (don’t do other tasks or attend to other people).
4. Follow your child’s lead. Respond to all social bids, or requests to look or play.
5. Compliment your child’s appropriate play with the materials. Be non-directive (don’t attempt to teach).

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 1 Practice Log
Date of Visit (Step 1 Introduced): __________________

Date Time of Day To Do

___/____/____ Session 1 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 2 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 1 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 2 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 1 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 2 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 1 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 2 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 1 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 2 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 1 Promote play for 5 min

___/____/____ Session 2 Promote play for 5 min

Date of Next Visit: ________________

Questions:

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Purpos
Step 2: Teach Your Child to Respond
to His/Her Name

Purpose

Teach your child to respond consistently when his/her name is called.

• Children learn not to respond because adults often call a child’s
name before asking him/her to stop a fun activity and do something
the adult wants or needs.
• Your child can learn to respond well if s/he experiences some rewards or welcome surprises following
his/her name being called.
Prepare your child for later lessons on cooperation.
• When children respond well to their name, they also tend to be more cooperative with instructions that
follow.

Parent’s Goals

Call your child’s name.

Teach your child to respond.
Immediately praise your child, provide access to the fun bin, and allow your child to lead the interactions.

Child’s Goals
Upon hearing his/her name, stop what s/he is doing, look towards you, and say “yes” in 4/5 opportunities.
To Do
Practice about 5 times in 5 min, at least twice per day until the next visit

1. Allow your child to play for 30 to 60 seconds.

2. Call your child’s name one time.
3. If needed, prompt your child to give their response.
• Your coach can show you different ways of prompting and help you choose one. Don’t prompt by repeatedly
calling your child’s name.
4. Immediately praise your child, provide access to the fun bin, and resume playtime.
• If your child refuses to follow your prompts, you have choices. You can:
(a) Talk to your coach and choose a response that you can prompt more easily.
Or
(b) Remove as many fun items from the area as possible. Take a work task from the task bin and prompt your
child to complete it. Once your child completes the task, return the fun bin and resume playtime.
Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley
 Step 2 Practice Log
Date of Visit (Step 2 Introduced):__________________

Date Time of Day To Do

___/____/____ Session 1 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)

___/____/____ Session 2 Call name 5 times in 5 min

(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name 5 times in 5 min
(at least 30 seconds of play between each)
Date of Next Visit: ______________

Questions:

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 3: Teach Your Child to Use
Words (Part 1)

Purpose

Teach your child to use words to get what they want in challenging
situations
Start by teaching just part of the request, so your child gets what
they want quickly and without much effort. This helps your child learn the
value of words rapidly. (We will expand this to a complete request later.)

Parent’s Goals

After your child responds to their name, sometimes give him/her a short, clear direction to do
something they dislike.
Teach your child to use their personalized Part 1 Words-- discuss what this will be with your coach.
Immediately praise your child for using words, provide access to the fun bin, and resume allowing the
child to lead the interactions.

Child’s Goals: Independently use their Part 1 Words to re-access playtime in all opportunities in a session

To Do: Practice about 5 times in 5 min, at least twice per day until the next visit

1. Allow your child to play for 30 to 60 seconds.

2. Call their name.
• Half the time, reward their response by resuming playtime.
• Half the time, don’t resume playtime. Go to #3.
3. Give a short, clear direction that playtime is over.
• For example, “Time to clean up” or “Playtime is all done”
4. If needed, prompt your child to say his/her personalized words.
• The coach can show you different ways of prompting and help choose one that works for your child.
5. Immediately praise your child, provide access to the fun bin, and resume playtime.
• If your child refuses to follow your prompts, you have choices. You can:
(a) Talk to your coach and choose a response that you can prompt more easily.
Or
(b) Remove as many fun items from the area as possible. Take a work task from the task bin and prompt your
child to complete it. Once your child completes the task, return the fun bin and resume playtime.

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 3 Practice Log
Date of Visit (Step 3 Introduced):__________________

Date Time of Day To Do

___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name →“playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words

Date of Next Visit: ______________

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 4: Teach Your Child to Use
Words (Part 2)

Purpose

Expand your child’s Part 1 Words to a full request.

• Learning a simple, general request that gains your child
many desired items/interactions at the same time makes it easier for your
child to use words in very frustrating or challenging situations.

Parent’s Goals

Teach your child to use their personalized Part 2 Words.

Immediately praise your child for using words, provide access to the fun bin, and allow your child to lead the
interactions.

Child’s Goal

Independently use their Part 1 and Part 2 Words to access playtime in all opportunities in a session

To Do
Practice about 5 times in 5 min, at least twice per day until the next visit
1. Allow your child to play for 30 to 60 seconds.
2. Call their name.
• Half the time, reward their response by resuming playtime.
• Half the time, don’t resume playtime. Go right to #3.
3. Give a short, clear direction that playtime is over.
4. Teach your child to use their personalized words.
5. Immediately praise your child, provide access to the fun bin, and resume playtime.
• If your child refuses to follow your prompts, you have choices. You can:
(a) Talk to your coach and choose a response that you can prompt more easily.
Or
(b) Remove as many fun items from the area as possible. Take a work task from the task bin and prompt your
child to complete it. Once your child completes the task, return the fun bin and resume playtime.

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 4 Practice Log
Date of Visit (Step 4 Introduced):__________________

Date Time of Day To Do

___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name →“playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words

Date of Next Visit: ______________

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 5: Teach Your Child to Accept
Disappointment

Purpose

Teach your child how to respond maturely to disappointment.

• Problem behavior often originates as an emotional response to
disappointment and becomes an effective way for children to control their
environment as others work to avoid emotional outbursts.
• Practicing a specific, mature response to disappointment teaches your
child another way to react, without outbursts or problem behavior.

Parent’s Goals

After your child uses their words to request their way, sometimes say “no.”
Teach your child to say “OK” (or their personalized Acceptance Words—discuss with coach)
Immediately praise your child for using words, provide access to the fun bin, and allow your child to lead the
interactions.

Child’s Goals

Independently accept disappointment with a calm, specific response in both opportunities in the session.

To Do

Practice about 5 times in 5 min, at least twice per day until the next visit

1. Allow your child to play for 30 to 60 seconds.

2. Call their name.
• Sometimes, reward their response by resuming playtime
• The other times, don’t resume playtime. State that playtime is over. When your child uses their Part 1 and 2
words…
-Sometimes praise your child and return to playtime
-Sometimes go to #3
3. Deny the request. Use a variety of words (e.g., “no,” “not right now,” “I’m sorry, we can’t,” etc.).
4. Teach your child to use their personalized Acceptance Words.
5. Immediately praise your child for using words/handling disappointment, provide access to the fun bin, and resume
playtime.

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 • If your child refuses to follow your prompts, you have choices. You can:
(a) Talk to your coach and choose a response that you can prompt more easily.
Or
(b) Remove as many fun items from the area as possible. Take a work task from the task bin and prompt your
child to complete it. Once your child completes the task, return the fun bin and resume playtime.

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 5 Practice Log
Date of Visit (Step 5 Introduced):__________________

Date Time of Day To Do

___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over”→ reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words

Date of Next Visit: ______________

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 6: Teach Your Child to
Cooperate (A Little)

Purpose

Teach your child to cooperate with your instructions.

• Start by asking for just a little bit of cooperation,
so your child gets back to the fun quickly and without much effort.
This helps your child learn that following instructions and trying things isn’t so bad.

Parent’s Goals
After your child accepts disappointment, sometimes require them to follow your instructions.
• At this stage, require them to follow 1-3 very specific instructions (e.g., put a green block in the bin; hand
parent the car toy).
Immediately praise your child for cooperating, provide access to the fun bin, and allow your child to lead.
Child’s Goals: Cooperate with short, specific instructions without problem behavior in all opportunities in a session.

interactions.
To Do

Practice about 5 times in 5 min, at least twice per day until the next visit.
1. Allow your child to play for 30 to 60 seconds.
2. Call their name.
Sometimes, reward their response by resuming playtime.
Sometimes don’t resume playtime. State that playtime is over. When your child uses their Part 1 and 2 words…
Sometimes praise your child and return to playtime.
Sometimes deny the request.
Sometimes praise your child and return to playtime when they give an acceptance response.
Sometimes go to #3.
3. Give a clear, specific instruction for your child to do something related to the task bin (e.g., put a green block in the bin).
4. As needed, prompt your child to follow the direction.
• Your coach can show you different ways of prompting and help you choose one.
• Sometimes give another clear, concrete direction or two and prompt your child to follow them as needed.
5. When your child follows the direction(s), immediately praise your child, provide access to the fun bin, and resume
playtime.
• If your child needs a lot of help to follow a familiar direction, consider not going back to playtime right away. Give
another direction and resume playtime once your child has completed it.

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

Date of Visit (Step 6 Introduced):__________________

Date Time of To Do
Day
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no”→ give 1 direction → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 3 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 3 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance

Date of Next Visit: ______________

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 7: Teach Your Child to
Cooperate More (Find the Balance)

Purpose

Stretch the amount of parent-led time to create balance between child-led

and parent-led activities

Parent’s Goals

After your child accepts disappointment, sometimes require them to follow your instructions.
• At this stage, sometimes require them to follow a few instructions and sometimes many.
Immediately praise your child for cooperating, provide access to the fun bin, and allow your child to lead the
interactions.
Child’s Goals: Cooperate with unpredictable instructions (sometimes short, sometimes complete a whole task)
without problem behavior in all opportunities.

To Do:

Practice 5 times in about 5-10 min, at least twice per day until the next visit
1. Allow your child to play for 30 to 60 seconds.
2. Call their name.
Sometimes, reward their response by resuming playtime.
Sometimes don’t resume play time. State that playtime is over. When your child uses their Part 1 and 2
words…
Sometimes praise your child and return to playtime.
Sometimes deny the request.
Sometimes praise your child and return to playtime when they give the acceptance response.
Sometimes go to #3.
3. Give a clear, specific direction for your child to do something related to the task bin.
4. As needed, prompt your child to follow the direction.
Sometimes, continue giving directions until your child has completed most or all of a task.
5. If your child follows the direction(s) readily, immediately praise your child, provide access to the fun bin, and
resume playtime.
• If your child needs a lot of help to follow a familiar direction, consider not going back to playtime right away.
Give another direction and resume playtime once your child has completed it.
Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley
 Step 7 Practice Log
Date of Visit (Step 7 Introduced):__________________

Date Time of To Do
Day
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 3 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response

Date of Next Visit: ______________

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Purp
Step 8: Teach Your Child to
Cooperate with Different Instructions

Purpose

Make sure your child can use their skills regardless of what the
direction or activity is

Parent’s Goals

When giving your child instructions, choose different activities than you have in previous practice sessions

Child’s Goals: Cooperate with new, unpredictable instructions (sometimes a few, sometimes complete a whole
task) without problem behavior in all opportunities.

To Do

Practice 5 times in 5-10 min, at least twice per day until the next visit.

Steps are the same as in Step 7, except that you should choose activities that you haven’t asked your child to do in
previous practice sessions.

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 8 Practice Log
Date of Visit (Step 8 Introduced): __________________ *Remember to use new tasks/directions*

Date Time of To Do
Day
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 3 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response

Date of Next Visit: ______________

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 9: Teach Your Child to
Cooperate Without the Bins

Purpose

Practice under more natural conditions

• Remove the bins
• All items are where they are normally kept

Parent’s Goals

Practice as you have before, but without the bins and with all items where they are normally kept.

Child’s Goals: Cooperate with unpredictable instructions without problem behavior in all opportunities, without
the bins and with all items in their regular locations.

To Do
Practice 5 times in 5-10 min, at least twice per day until the next visit.

Steps are the same in Step 8, except for the location of the items (where they are normally kept, not in the bins).

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 9 Practice Log
Date of Visit (Step 9 Intro’d): __________________ *Remember not to use the bins- put items where
they are normally kept*

Date Time of To Do
Day
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 3 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
___/____/____ Session 1 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → reward response
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 1 direction → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
___/____/____ Session 2 Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → reward acceptance
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 4-6 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → “no” → give 2 directions → reward cooperation
Call name → “playtime over” → reward using words
Call name → reward response

Date of Next Visit: ______________

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 10: Teach Your Child to
Cooperate During Natural Routines

Purpose

Practice during regular routines throughout the home

Parent’s Goals

Practice giving rewards and welcome surprises intermittently and unpredictably throughout the day during
normal activities.
• Aim for balance between parent-led and child-led activities
Sometimes reward responding to name, sometimes using words, sometimes accepting disappointment, and
sometimes various amounts of cooperation (a little or a lot).

Child’s Goals: Use all skills (responding to name, using words, accepting disappointment, cooperating) during
natural activities.

To Do

Practice throughout the day, each day until the next visit.
-Call your child’s name periodically and be sure to reward responding immediately some of the time
-Reward using words some of the time
-Reward acceptance (tolerance responses) some of the time
-Reward cooperation—sometimes a little, sometimes a lot

Child-led playtime is the reward. You may not always be able to give your undivided attention, but provide
access to fun items and try to include your undivided attention for at least a couple of minutes, most of the time.

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Step 10 Practice Log
Date of Visit (Step 10 Introduced): __________________
Practice throughout the day and note any questions or concerns below:

*Be sure to call your child’s name, even when you don’t need them to do something, so you can reward
responding.

*Be sure to remind them to use their words as needed. Sometimes reward using words right away.
*Remind your child to use their acceptance response as needed. Sometimes reward this right away.

*Keep the amount of cooperation that will be required unpredictable—sometimes a lot, sometimes a little. End
tasks when your child is cooperating well.

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley

 Prompting Options

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

(if no cooperation at Step 1) (if no cooperation at Step 2)

3-Step Prompting Verbal direction Verbal direction + model + Physical prompt

“you do it”
(“Tell them, show
them, help them”)

2-Step Prompting Verbal direction Physical prompt

(“Tell them, help

them”)

Wait Out Verbal direction Verbal direction + model + Remove all preferred items and wait for
“you do it” your child to follow the direction.

Repeat the direction in a neutral tone of

voice every 30 seconds or so.

Do not engage in conversation or try to

convince your child to follow the
direction.

Updated 7.2021 K. Ruppel & G. Hanley