Token systems are commonly used throughout the course of intervention for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Most token systems have a fixed earning requirement (e.g., always 10 tokens before exchange), which could create a context in which the individual no longer emits the desired behavior once the requirement is achieved. Within the Autism Partnership Method, we have used a token system with a flexible earning requirement, called the “magic number,” in which the individual is unaware of how many tokens they need to earn. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the magic number token system during a snack time with three children diagnosed with ASD.
