Offering choices

Offering choices is a universally powerful strategy. Instead of issuing a direct command, you present options. 'Do you want to use the blue pen or the red pen?' 'Do you want to do math first or reading first?'

You use this across multiple functions. For escape-maintained behaviour, giving a choice of which task to do first provides a sense of control that reduces the aversiveness of the demand. For tangible-maintained behaviour, offering a choice between two available items prevents the conflict of them demanding an unavailable item. It is a simple way to share power while ensuring the ultimate goal (completing work, engaging appropriately) is still met.

Where practitioners go wrong is offering choices that aren't actually choices (e.g., 'Do you want to do your work or go to the principal's office?'). That is a threat, not a choice. Another common mistake is offering too many options, which overwhelves the learner. Stick to two or three clear, distinct, and equally acceptable choices.