Types of Prompts (Most to Least Intrusive)
Full Physical: Hand-over-hand guidance to complete the response. Partial Physical: Light touch or nudge in the correct direction. Model: Demonstrating the target response for the learner to imitate. Gestural: Pointing, nodding, or motioning toward the correct response. Verbal: Providing a vocal instruction, hint, or partial word. Positional: Placing the correct item closer to or in front of the learner. Visual: Using pictures, written instructions, or other visual cues.
Most-to-Least Prompting
Start with the most intrusive prompt that ensures a correct response, then systematically reduce prompt intrusiveness across trials. Advantage: Minimizes errors (errorless learning). Disadvantage: May promote prompt dependency if fading is not systematic. Best for: New skills, learners who need high levels of support, or when errors could be dangerous.
Least-to-Most Prompting
Start with the least intrusive prompt (or no prompt), and increase intrusiveness only if the learner does not respond correctly within a specified time. Advantage: Promotes independence from the start. Disadvantage: Allows errors, which may be reinforced or frustrating. Best for: Learners who have some skill but need occasional support.
Time Delay
Insert a brief delay between the discriminative stimulus and the prompt, gradually increasing the delay. Constant time delay: Same delay across all trials (e.g., 5 seconds). Progressive time delay: Delay increases gradually (0s, 2s, 4s, 6s). Advantage: Simple to implement and effective for transfer of stimulus control.
Stimulus Fading
Gradually change the physical characteristics of a stimulus (size, color, position, intensity) to transfer control from an exaggerated prompt stimulus to the natural discriminative stimulus. Example: Making the correct answer choice larger, then gradually reducing it to match the other choices.