One of the biggest obstacles to teaching your child is realizing that things in life are not free. Parents or Caregivers will be more likely to reinforce once they accept this basic principle of reinforcement. Reinforcers need to delivered consistently.  If your child does do something good then this good behavior should definitely be rewarded.  In contrast, if the child is inappropriate then he should not be rewarded.  The first step is to try to reward any behavior that is positive. For example, if the child cleans his room or eats his breakfast be sure to reinforce your child.  Secondly, when your child cries or tantrums try not to reinforce your child. For example, the most common behavior is for parents to pick up and hug a child when he cries.  In contrast, the parent should realize that this would be giving a reinforcer for free. The child has not performed any appropriate behavior yet he is reinforced. We all work to get money for food and things that we want. We know that we will probably loose our job over time or not get commissions if we do not work.   Consistent reinforcement of behavior will lead to rapid learning and appropriate behavior. 

The latest trend is to purchase an iPad or computer and assume that this will teach your child everything!
There are three important things to note about the use of an electronic device.

First, the computer itself does not teach your child. If the software has reinforcers built into the games or activities that you purchased then this might work. However, if your child does not like the particular reinforcer in the program then the child will not learn. For example, if your child likes music and the reinforcer in the game is music delivered for a correct response then the child will not learn.  Before purchasing a game it is important to look at the game and see if the reinforcers are included.

Secondly, it should be noted that many games are specifically designed to include reinforcers and many are not.  Some are based on psychological research including games such as those developed by "Headsprout" ( recently purchased  by another company) and many others. Parents should read and look at the information about the games to see if they are based on research or psychological principles such as reinforcement. 

Third, parents should also consider the skills taught by the electronic device. Are these skills you want your child to learn. There are games to learn most anything such as spelling, reading, self-care skills, morals, social skills and much more.  I contrast it should be noted that children might model some behavior in games and there is such discussion and research that indicates that some aggression can be learned from modeling of television or games. This should be considered in your purchase of a game. Games your children might like might have some benefits and some deficits in their affect on your child's' behavior. All of these factors should be weighed and considered before purchasing a device and programs for your child. 

Parents often find themselves frustrated after months of going to therapy sessions and no success. One of the quickest way to increase your childs vocabulary is through behavioral techniques.  The key to success is consistency, powerful reinforcers and generalization of your training in different situations. 
One example of teaching your child to say juice is the following. In this case we have identified the targeted word or phrase and this must be done before you start teaching. Also the item identified is preferably a strong reinforcer and an item the child frequently wants.  Usually you want to choose a word the child might use frequently and that is fairly easy for him to pronounce or that he has some approximations to the word already in his repertoire. Secondly, the caregiver waits for the child to have a situation in which he wants the items such as the juice. Third, the caregiver delays giving the item until the child says some approximation or the actual word. Fourth, the caregiver gives the child the item immediately or as soon as possible after the word or approximation is completed by the child. Fifth the parent continues to delay giving the item in every situation in which the child wants the item during the day. Sixth, the parents delays giving the water until the child states the complete word clearly. Seventh, the caregiver adds other words to the criteria for reinforcement of the juice. For example, the caregiver might wait for the child to say "juice Please".  Finally, the caregiver continues this process and adds more words to the original words and additional words for other reinforcers! In a sort time usually even in the most difficult cases the child will be talking!