Motivation

Mermaid is motivated by food. She was particularly non-compliant at a recent S.I. session held during the witching hour of 4-5pm. So, I pulled out a couple of marshmallows. I'm trying to get rid of this "red light food" anyway. Ms. SI held a marshmallow next to each cup she wanted stacked or peg she wanted put in place. When Mermaid did the task a marshmallow would instantly reward her action. Ms. SI was so excited about the response she declared she would bring treats every week to prompt Mermaid's behavior. She told me of research on Long Island where kids with Downs will hold tongue depressor's weighted with nickles between their lips to eliminate the socially unacceptable slack jaw. If the child continues for a certain time limit, he/she gets to keep the nickles. Is this another weird indignity my daughter will have to endure?

Now I'm in a quandary. I know Mermaid has a slow metabolism and an increased risk for obesity and diabetes. Pediatricians, dietitians and many psychologists agree that food should not be used as a reward. I acknowledge bribes as an occasional fact of life, but can I purposely use it as an ongoing behavior modification tool? I don't think so. I suggested grapes or slices of tomato as a reward compromise, but Ms. SI thinks goldfish and fruit snacks will be the best. They're certainly tidier. I'm putting a pin in it. In the meantime, I'll let Ms. SI use bribes during her weekly session but I won't. Well...I'll make an exception and use the remaining marshmallows to get Torpedo's into his button-up collared shirt on Sunday mornings! ;)