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Why Is Choice-Making Important?
Allowing individuals to express their preferences
is a positive step toward gaining personal freedom. Choice-making is
important because it can reduce or prevent problem behaviors, prepare
learners for independence, increase motivation, prevent learned
helplessness, and increase attention to task.
- Choice may reduce or prevent
problem behaviors
Studies have shown that inappropriate behavior such
as aggression,
self-injury,
object
misuse, tantrums,
and social
avoidance may be reduced through the use of choice-making. Many
times, individuals display inappropriate behavior because they have
been forced to do something they do not want to do. Choice-making
is a nonaversive technique that allows the individual to control
a situation in a positive way rather than a negative way, such as
hitting.
- Choice offers independence
The ability to make choices is directly linked to
personal independence, dignity and self-worth. When individuals
express their choices based on their preferences, they are making
independent decisions.
- Choice increases motivation
Having choices and decision-making opportunities can
provide a sense of accomplishment. This feeling of accomplishment,
in turn, increases motivation and desire to be more productive.
- Choice can prevent learned helplessness
Learned helplessness is thought to result from a belief
that nothing that one does makes a difference. As a result, individuals
displaying learned helplessness are unmotivated to try and gradually
lose self-esteem. However, by having choices, they discover that
choosing can make a difference in how they feel about themselves.
- Choice increases attention to task
When students have opportunities to state preferences
and make decisions, they become more interested in the activity.
Thus, increased interest in a specific subject can have a positive
effect on attention.
What Are the Goals of Teaching Choice-Making?
Goal #1: Teach learners how to clearly communicate
their selection to others. Individuals communicate choice selection
in a variety of ways such as verbalizing, signing or gesturing, and/or
pointing or reaching for a desired option.
Goal #2: Teach learners that
selections will result in a preferred
outcome. Learners need to understand that their choices can impact
their environment.
Goal #3: Teach sophisticated choice-making skills
and expand choice opportunities. This gives learners a greater feeling
of control.
Some learners have never developed choice-making skills.
In this case, choice-making needs to be taught directly and systematically.
Instructional strategies for teaching beginning
choice-making skills consist of the following three components:
- Preparing for choice opportunities
- Teaching choice-making skills
- Evaluating success
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