The Self & Match System: A 5-Step Process
Self & Match is a systematic self-monitoring system that incorporates an accountability/match component. There are 5 key steps that you will see in virtually every Self & Match system.While these 5 steps form the foundation or our system, you will find that there are endless ways to individualize Self & Match forms to meet the needs of your target student(s). As a first step in implementing the Self & Match System, we provide a Considerations PRIOR to Implementation Guide. This guide serves as a roadmap by providing practical planning instructions for creating individualized forms that are are customized for a specific user or class. This guide walks the user through questions to consider in getting to know your class; beginning the Self & Match System and logistics related to considering student performance, and integration of IEP. We highly encourage individualization of each form created in the Self & Match System
There are 5 key steps that you will see in virtually every Self & Match system. While these 5 steps form the foundation or our system, you will find that there are endless ways to individualize Self & Match forms to meet the needs of your target student(s).
Step 1: The student answers all questions independently. Once the customized Self & Match forms are created for the student, the student fills out the form according to an agreed upon schedule. The forms are designed to capture information on daily behaviors.
Step 2: The staff answers all questions independently. After the student fills out the form, the teacher (or other staff member) completes the form by entering their responses that align with the specific behaviors contained in the form.
Step 3: The student and staff member compare answers on the form and identify all “matches” where the student and staff responses are the same.
Step 4: The student earns at least 2 points for each “Yes” match which consist of 1 or more points for engaging in appropriate behaviors and 1 point for being honest. The student earns 1 point for each “No” match for being honest, taking ownership, and reflecting on their behavior.
Step 5: The student earns reinforcement (a reward) at a predetermined time and based on a predetermined criterion.
A great thing about the Self & Match System is that it was created to develop and advance with the student. Intervention changes as student behavior changes. As the student progresses toward their goal, the system can be modified to keep shaping and reinforcing appropriate behaviors and to continue teaching new skills. Once the Self & Match System is in place, our Considerations DURING Implementation Guide provides tips for enhancing and improving forms that are already in place. The guide provides actionable steps to review your data and develop a plan for next steps based on an ROQ (Review, Observe, Question) process.
