Around Town Round Up-- Forced Choice Method

The “Forced Choice” method of instruction is one whereby you provide two or more discrete choices about what to do, rather than offering open ended choices or an option for choosing nothing.  This is sometimes a helpful strategy to use when providing direction to a student who has oppositional, argumentative or avoidant behavior. A forced choice of two or more acceptable options allows the teacher to provide the student a sense of control while limiting the options to only those that are reasonable and acceptable in the situation.  Keep in mind that, for many students, making choices can be difficult or even overwhelming, so keeping the choice to just two is probably best for many students. Forced choices can be used in a variety of ways throughout the school day. In today's Around Town Round Up we have gathered up some great examples across activities.

Academics
In this example, students are given one assignment and then they have a choice for what they do after completing the assignment. 

Marie Reikowski
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia

For a student who struggles with staying seated and participating during Calendar Time, the teacher provided the choice to be a helper and now he is a star student!

Jenna Fitch
Helke Elementary, Vandalia

When completing tasks, let students choose which task card they want to do next. This is a simple and effective way to share control during work times.

This teacher incorporates forced choices for what the student has to do during work times and what reward they get to earn.

Emily Ottmar
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Choice boards are also a good way to give students a way to communicate their desires during activities if they have limited verbal communication or initiation skills. This is also an example of a forced choice because the teacher limited the song choices to those listed. 

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Structured Work
When implementing a structured work station or taskboxes, the forced choice method can be used in a variety of ways. Students can choose the order in which they complete tasks or they can choose which tasks they want to put in their sequence. 

Lindsey Woods
Fairborn Primary, Fairborn

Jared Taylor
Simon Kenton Elementary, Springfield

Older students can be given choices of what work they want to complete in a binder pocket or folder system.

Jennifer Jette
Vandalia-Butler High School, Vandalia

Bobbi Jo Chapman
Snyder Park Elementary, Springfield

Sensory Time
The forced choice method is a great way to get student buy in so they are more willing to engage in sensory activities. With guidance from the student's OT, provide a menu of sensory options for the student to choose from during proactively schedules sensory breaks. These choices can be used in isolation or as part of a sequence of activities. 

Allysson Rudnicki
Tipp High School, Tipp City 

JFK Elementary, Kettering

Chris Barhorst
Wright Brothers Elementary, Huber Heights

Leslie Mann
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia

Horace Mann Elementary
Springfield

Keelin DiMuccio
Fairbrook Elementary, Beavercreek

Robbie Whorton
Trotwood-Madison High School, Trotwood

Schedules
We have seen some incredible staff flexibility in allowing students forced choices when setting up daily schedules. In these examples, students complete a combination of teacher-directed and student chosen activities throughout the day to keep positive momentum and maintain shared control. 

Stephanie Foreman
South Vienna Elementary, Northeastern

Therese Garison
Helke Elementary, Vandalia

Free Time
Providing forced choices during free time or reward time limits students to activities that are acceptable and available at that time. This can be handy if you are limited on time or if you do not have access to a particular activity at that time. Visual choice boards or lists can help students know what they are allowed to choose from. 

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Leslie Mann
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia

Taylor Ruef
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Transitions
When transitioning out of the classroom, let students choose where they want to stand in line by using visual cues. 

Jessica Burns
Demmitt Elementary Preschool, Vandalia

Amy Beanblossom
Arcanum-Butler Elementary, Arcanum

And when transitioning to a seated activity, give students seating options.

Kim Kohlrus
Beverly Gardens Elementary, Mad River

Lindy McDaniel
Considerate Classroom

Random
To add variety but still get buy-in from students, some teachers use a random draw system using spinners or dice. These are best used for students who are able to demonstrate some flexibility and do not need total control. 

Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

The forced choice method should be proactively planned for so that students are given the choice at the start of an activity. Although this can also be an effective reactive strategy, for some students it may appear as though initial demands are always negotiable. Before presenting a demand to a student, think of ways you can set it up as a choice to avoid power struggles and set up shared control from the start.