An analysis of the value of token reinforcement using a multiple‐schedule assessment

Fiske et al. (2020) ran a quick test to see if plastic tokens really work like snacks or stickers for kids with autism. They used a multiple-schedule assessment with four children. The kids could work for tokens or for already-liked items in different colored bins. The team tracked which bin the child picked most often.

The study lasted a few sessions per child. Each session gave clear signals: one color meant tokens available, another color meant primary reinforcers like tiny cookies. The order of colors switched to rule out simple color likes.

Two children picked the token bin just as often as the cookie bin. Tokens worked fine for them. The other two children almost always picked the cookie bin. For them, tokens were weak.

The team saw clear individual lines on the graphs. No child showed a middle, wishy-washy pattern. Either tokens matched the power of food or they fell short.

Willemsen-Swinkels et al. (1998) also used tokens with kids with autism and saw big gains when the tokens were pictures of each child’s obsession, like trains or letters. Their positive results seem to clash with Fiske’s two weak-token kids. The gap closes when you notice H used special tokens linked to strong interests, while Fiske used plain plastic chips. Token type, not the kids, likely drives the difference.

Winett et al. (1972) showed that contingent tokens beat non-contingent tokens for neurotypical kindergarteners. Fiske extends this idea by asking, 'Do tokens even function as reinforcers at all?' before checking contingency effects. The 1972 study assumed value; Fiske tested it first.

Patel et al. (2019) found tokens boosted active play in most preschoolers without autism. Fiske’s mixed outcome in an autism sample adds caution: what works for neurotypical kids may work for only some autistic kids.

Before you build a whole token economy, spend one or two sessions running the same quick MSA. If the child picks tokens as often as primary reinforcers, move ahead. If not, swap in snacks, stickers, or obsession-based tokens first. This five-minute check can save weeks of weak reinforcement and faster progress on the real target skills you care about.