Happy Sticks, the name given to the reinforcement system used in a classroom of pre-school autisitc children, is presented. Happy Sticks are decorated tongue depressors serving as token rewards; Happy Bags, or pouches are worn by the children around their necks to hold the earned Happy Sticks. Reinforcement can be immediate and occur throughout all activities with minimal distraction. Happy Sticks are earned for appropriate behaviors and are exchanged intermittently for food rewards. Inappropriate behavior results in the child losing his/her Happy Bag, which is removed by the teacher and the child is ignored while other children behaving appropriately receive increased reinforcement, including Happy Sticks. Once the inappropriate behavior stops, the Happy Bag is given back to the child. The teacher may also remove a Happy Stick from a child's pouch for another inappropriate, but perhaps less disruptive behavior. Happy Sticks are counted frequently throughout activity sessions by the children who receive a food reward regardless of the number of sticks earned. The system helps maintain a positive classroom environment, and the children enjoy it. (Author)