My Speech Therapy Reward System

I have been an SLP for over ten years, and have been working towards an effective reward system for many of those years. From what I should reward, to how much, to how often: it is a delicate balance. I want my students to work hard in therapy towards their goals, but I also expect them to be well-behaved, attentive, and quiet. Additionally, I want them to complete speech homework on a weekly basis. Making these requirements is enough for some kids, they do these things because they are supposed to. Receiving verbal praise is also enough. 

But.

For the vast majority, it is not enough.

Through a lot of trial and error, I have found something that works for me. 

The first part of my reward system is the sticker chart for speech therapy time. All the students are listed on the chart. They receive a sticker at the end of their speech session if they: 

A. Work hard
B. Enter Quietly
C. Be Kind
D. Be Quiet

They get one sticker if they are basically good for their speech time. When they land on the pink line on the chart, they get to go into the treasure chest and choose a prize. More on the treasure chest below. I hand-drew pink lines at about 5 square intervals. Some closer together, some farther apart. I used to allow students to put up a sticker on this chart when they brought their homework, but that is a big change that I have made, and will explain below.

For my students, they are pretty motivated to earn stickers in their session. Essentially, students get a prize once a month if they attend speech once per week, and twice a month if they attend 2+ times per week. I have always been pleasantly surprised by this simple incentive. Some of my students have more challenging behavioral problems, and I use whatever works for them. I often consult with the teacher or school psychologist for this, but usually my own reward system works well. 

Another addition to the sticker chart is the Sticker Stop.  I found the idea here. Before students put a sticker on the chart, they answer the listed questions. We all need to work on doing this more consistently, but we are often rushing to get back to class as another group is coming in for their speech time. I will work on this!

I have 52 students on my caseload (as of today, with 5 pending!). That means I send home 52 pieces of paper each week. We all know how important homework is for carryover, mastery, awareness, etc. On average, the same 6 students consistently brought back completed homework assignments. That is a 12% return rate.

Argh!

Of course, the kids who actually do their homework make progress and graduate from speech sooner. No surprise there!

My level of frustration has increased over the years to near psychosis. I have wasted reams of paper. I have tried tracking homework meticulously. I have tried calling parents. I have tired detention threats. I have tried only giving new homework if a student bring in completed homework. 

Not much success with these methods.

One of the problems with an IEP is that I can't really require parents to do speech homework. What is the consequence (besides slow progress)? I can't kick anyone of of my program.  

Not that I would over homework.

One thing I tried that did help, was having teachers put speech homework in their Friday Folder. Our school district has a folder that goes home every week, in every class. Parents are required to review and sign the folder before returning it on the following Monday. This has helped to ensure that the homework actually makes it home! Rather than being shoved into a desk. I stopped passing out homework in therapy about 5 years ago.

Over this past summer, I really thought a lot about what to do to solve the homework problem. I have had to spend some money and re-vamp my entire system, but it is working. 

I now have two sticker charts, one for therapy and one for homework. When a student turns in homework, they put one sticker up for each completed assignment. Every other time that they turn something in, they receive and extra special reward. 

Every. Other. Time. 

And, the rewards are super awesome. 

Here a few.

Sometimes they get a sweet-treat, and other times they get to choose 3 prizes from the treasure chest. Or, get a ticket to get a free ice cream at lunch. 

The grand finale is that I will bring them lunch from McDonald's.

And guess what? It is working! I now have 38/52 students who turn in homework consistently. That is 73%, a huge increase from 12%. Two students have not turned in any homework this year, and the rest have turned in just 1 or 2 assignments.

I am really proud of myself. 

What has been extra motivating for those who have rarely turned in homework in the past, is seeing other students get cool rewards. Peer pressure is an amazing force. 

Onto the treasure chest. 

I get most of my prizes at the Dollar Tree, Oriental Trading Company, Target $1 section, and Party City. I shop the back to school sales in the summer for cheap erasers, mechanical pencils, and crayons. I always look for after holiday clearance items as well. I am often surprised at what is popular. For some reason plastic vampire teeth are always a hit. So are slap bracelets. I try to use PTA money for prizes, as well as other "consumables."  I spend 25-35cents per prize, also that the 10cent prizes are not motivating. Having all the prizes be about the same cost, makes them equally as valuable to the students. 

The result, is well, results! 

Students are doing homework. Students are making progress. My personal goal has been met!

What do you do for your speech kids? Share below in the comments section!