Love you

We won't attempt here to define a concept better frequently. Learners seem to use it to sugar-coat requests and to ask for affection. We have it paired here with HELP, which is its more practical cousin.

Meanings and uses

• To get attention, affection, cuddles, or kisses

• Request affection.

• Affection. Affection and "please" - to amplify whatever else the learner is asking for.

• Give attention and affection. Any time the learner wants pets or attention at all.

• Express affection

Button sounds

• "Love you"

• "Luvins"

Modeling techniques

Among our group of successful modelers, the following techniques were used successfully:

• Gave her attention after she pushed the button

• I pushed the button and then gave her attention

• Gave pets or hugs or scratches and repeated "love you" and "love you LEARNER," followed by a button press to help the learner make the connection.

• Pressed button and gave affection.

• When the learner would act affectionately, took him to his words/buttons, and hit "love you."

• I pressed the button whenever I wanted to show him love.

• When the learner would come for affection, I would walk the learner to the board and model "love you," then gave the learner ear massages (a favorite) and repeatedly model "Love you" while doing so.

What seems to have worked well

Among our group of successful modelers, the following seemed to be helpful:

• Demonstrations of affection followed soon after by a button press

What seems to have gotten in the way

Among our group of successful modelers, they avoided doing the following:

• Nothing. Learner learned this button quickly. Noticed that learner was pressing the button too hard/ chewing on the it, and redirected the behavior.