Essential Reading
Read the following learning conversation between a BCBA (Susan) and an RBT (Dinah), where they discuss the purpose of prompting and the different types used in ABA practice:
Dinah: Hi Susan! I have a question about prompting. I know it’s an important technique in ABA. Can you explain to me the purpose of prompting?
Susan: Of course, Dinah! Prompting is a strategy we use to help individuals learn and perform specific behaviors. It provides additional cues or assistance to guide them towards the correct response. The purpose is to increase the likelihood of the desired behavior occurring.
Dinah: That makes sense, Susan. So, I’ve heard of response prompts and stimulus prompts. Can you explain the difference between them?
Susan: Absolutely, Dinah! A response prompt is an extra stimulus provided by another person to evoke a behavior—like a gesture or verbal cue. A stimulus prompt involves changing or adding something in the environment to make the correct response more likely.
Dinah: I see. And what do different prompts look like in practice?
Susan: Examples include: verbal prompts (“Cross the laces” when tying shoes), gestural prompts (pointing), visual prompts (picture guides), model prompts (demonstrating a task), and physical prompts (guiding a learner’s hands).
Dinah: That helps a lot. Are there prompt categories we should know?
Susan: Yes. Prompts are often categorized by intrusiveness. With least-to-most prompting, you start with the least intrusive prompt and increase as needed. Most-to-least prompting starts with more intrusive prompts, then fades to less intrusive ones as the learner becomes independent. Sometimes, the teaching plan specifies which prompt to use at a current level—like starting with a full physical prompt before fading.
Dinah: That makes sense. So it’s like using most-to-least prompting, but across sessions rather than within them?
Susan: Exactly.
Dinah: Thanks, Susan. It’s important to balance support with encouraging independence.
Susan: Absolutely! Using the appropriate prompt type is essential for supporting learning and skill development effectively.
Optional Reading
For a deeper understanding of how prompting relates to stimulus control transfer and the broader goals of instruction in ABA, you can read this additional PDF resource:
Jigsaw Training: Stimulus Control Transfer and the Goals of Instruction in ABA (PDF)
Optional Video
This video from the South Asian Autism Awareness Centre models various types of prompts. Watching it will help you visualize these techniques in practice:
For more information on different prompt types, visit the VCU Autism Centre for Excellence. They provide quick videos on model, verbal, visual, physical, and gestural prompts.
Conversation Exercise
Complete the Conversation Exercise with FRED, our AI-powered chatbot. This will reinforce your understanding of prompting methods and their practical applications.
Click for instructions on accessing and using FRED
Click the conversation icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, or open FRED directly here.
For tips on using FRED effectively, read our instructions here.
Reflection Exercise
After completing the reading, video(s), and conversation exercise, reflect on your learning using the prompts below. Your reflection should be:
- Between 100 and 500 words
- Written in your preferred language
- Expressed in your own words — do not copy text from chatbots, websites, or this course
You’ll receive an email copy of your reflection to support your RBT exam preparation.
Click to view Reflection Prompts & Example
Reflection Prompts (use one or more):
- Summarize Key Concepts: What are response and stimulus prompts?
- Define in Your Own Words: How would you explain the different prompt types to a colleague?
- Importance and Connections: Why is understanding prompt types and intrusiveness important in ABA?
- Practical Applications: How might you apply prompting strategies when working with a client?
- Insights: Did anything about prompting surprise you or change how you think about teaching skills?
Example Reflection:
Before this lesson, I didn’t realize how many types of prompts there are and how important it is to choose the right one. I used to think verbal prompts were enough, but now I see that physical, gestural, and visual prompts can be more helpful in some cases. I also learned that prompts need to be faded to avoid prompt dependency, which I hadn’t considered before. Understanding least-to-most and most-to-least prompting will help me tailor support to each client’s needs and help them become more independent over time.
When you’re ready, submit your reflection below:
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