Break Tickets

Class Pass System for Self-Managed, On-Demand Breaks

Break Tickets—also called Class Passes—let learners decide when to take short, structured breaks during work periods. By handing out a set number of passes each day and rewarding any that go unused, BCBAs, special-education teachers, and classroom staff turn potential work-avoidance into a skill-building exercise in self-regulation and time management.

Why use Break Tickets?

• Fewer disruptive escapes. Research on demand-avoidance shows that scheduled, learner-controlled breaks can cut off-task and refusal behavior by 40 % or more.
• Stronger executive-function skills. Managing a limited supply of tickets boosts self-monitoring, planning, and decision-making—core components of independence.
• Higher academic engagement. When breaks are predictable and contingent on ticket use, students return to tasks faster and sustain attention longer throughout the day.