Prompting & Prompt Fading
When we fade out a prompt, we move from the most intrusive to the lest intrusive prompt
Which is the correct order of fading
A: Partial physical- Full Physical-Model-Gesture
B: Full physical- Model- Partial Physical- Gesture
C: Model- Partial Physical- Gesture- Full Physical-
D: Full physical- Partial Physical-Model- Gesture
D: Full physical- Partial Physical-Model- Gesture
Explanation: When fading prompts, we move from most intrusive to least intrusive to help the learner become more independent.
Typical Most-to-Least (MTL) prompting hierarchy:
Full Physical Prompt – Hand-over-hand guidance
Partial Physical Prompt – Light touch or partial assistance
Model Prompt – Demonstrating the correct response
Gesture Prompt – Pointing or indicating the correct response
Independent Response
Which teaching method is most structured and usually takes place at a table with repeated trials?
A. NET
B. DTT
C. Incidental Teaching
D. Shaping
B. Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
Rationale: Discrete trial training is highly structured, uses repeated trials, and is typically conducted at a table with clear instructions, responses, and consequences
Why the others are incorrect:
A: NET (Natural Environment Teaching) – occurs in natural play or daily routines, less structured
C: Incidental Teaching – learner-led opportunities in natural environments
D: Shaping – reinforcing successive approximations of a behavior
A client begins to cry after being told to clean up, and the demand is removed. This behavior is most likely maintained by what function?
A. Attention
B. Tangible
C. Escape
D. Automatic
C. Escape
Explanation: The client cries after being told to clean up, and the demand is removed. This means the behavior resulted in the client escaping or avoiding the task, which indicates the function of the behavior is escape from demands.
Function Breakdown
A: Attention – behavior results in attention from others
B: Tangible – behavior results in access to items or activities
C: Escape – behavior results in getting out of a task or demand
D: Automatic – behavior is internally reinforcing (sensory)
The primary goal of behavior reduction plans is to:?
A) Stop all behaviors immediately
B) Decrease problem behaviors and teach replacement skills
C) Punish undesired behaviors
D) Focus only on data collection
B) Decrease problem behaviors and teach replacement skills
Explanation:
The primary goal of a Behavior Reduction Plan (BRP) in ABA is to:
Reduce or decrease challenging behaviors
Teach appropriate replacement behaviors that serve the same function
For example:
Instead of tantruming to escape work, the client may learn to request a break.
True or False
Data should be collected only for behavior that we want to decrease?
False.
Explanation:
In ABA, data should be collected on both:
Behaviors we want to decrease (problem behaviors)
Behaviors we want to increase (skill acquisition and replacement behaviors)
Collecting data on both helps the team:
Measure progress toward goals
Evaluate whether interventions are working
Make data-based decisions
Which is the most intrusive prompt?
A: Model prompt
B: Full Physical prompt
C: Gesture prompt
D: Partial Physical prompt
B: Full Physical prompt
Explanation: A Full Physical Prompt is the most intrusive because the instructor provides hand-over-hand assistance, physically guiding the learner to complete the response.
Prompt Intrusiveness Hierarchy (Most → Least)
Full Physical Prompt (most intrusive)
Partial Physical Prompt
Model Prompt
Gesture Prompt
Verbal Prompt
Independent Response (least intrusive)
Teaching a client to request snacks during snack time using natural motivation is an example of:
A. DTT
B. Prompting
C. NET
D. Extinction
C. Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
Rationale: Natural Environment teaching uses everyday routines and natural motivation to teach skills in real-life settings.
In this example:
The client is motivated by snacks
Teaching happens during snack time
The skill being taught is requesting (manding)
This fits the definition of NET, where learning occurs within natural routines and activities.
Why the others are incorrect:
A: DTT – structured table teaching with repeated trials
B: Prompting – a teaching strategy, not the teaching setting/method
D: Extinction – withholding reinforcement for a behavior
A client hits when peers are playing nearby. Staff immediately redirect and talk to the client. The hitting increases. What is the function?
A. Automatic
B. Attention
C. Escape
D. Tangible
B. Attention
Rationale: The behavior is maintained by attention because staff interaction follows the behavior and reinforces it. Behavior increases; this shows that attention is reinforcing it.
Consistency in implementing a behavior plan is important because?
A) It ensures reliable data and learning
B) The client get bored easily
C) makes session faster
D) it reduces paperwork
A) It ensures reliable data and learning
Explanation
Consistency in implementing a behavior plan is important because it:
Ensures the client receives the same expectations and responses each time
Helps the client learn the correct behavior more effectively
Produces reliable and accurate data
When is the best time to take data?
A) immediately as possible after observing the behavior
B) Before the SD
C) After the client is playing with a downtime activity
D) A & C
A) As immediately as possible after observing the behavior
Explanation: Data should be recorded as soon as possible after the behavior occurs to ensure the information is accurate and reliable.
Waiting too long can lead to:
Forgetting details
Inaccurate data
A BT presents an SD "Touch head" and immediately uses a hand over hand prompt guiding client to touch head.
What prompt did this BT use?
A: Full Verbal prompt
B: Partial Physical prompt
C: Model prompt
D: Full Physical prompt
D: Full Physical prompt
Explanation: The BT physically guided the client’s movement using hand-over-hand assistance immediately after giving the SD “Touch head.”
Hand-over-hand guidance = Full Physical Prompt because the instructor is providing complete physical assistance to produce the correct response.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A: Full Verbal Prompt – would involve telling the client what to do again (e.g., “Touch your head like this.”)
B: Partial Physical Prompt – would be light guidance (e.g., tapping the elbow or guiding part of the movement)
C: Model Prompt – would involve the BT demonstrating by touching their own head
A behavioral technician runs 15 trials of the same target back-to-back with no breaks. This is an example of:
A. Distributed Practice
B. NET
C. Massed Practice
D. Shaping
C. Mass Practice
Explanation: Massed practice occurs when multiple trials of the same target are presented consecutively with little or no breaks between them.
In this case:
The BT runs 15 trials
They are back-to-back
No breaks
This matches the definition of massed practice.
Why the others are incorrect:
A: Distributed Practice – trials are spaced out with breaks or other tasks between them
B: NET – natural environment teaching, not repeated trials
D: Shaping – reinforcing successive approximations of a behavior
When collecting ABC data, which information should be recorded in the Antecedent section?
A. How many times the behavior occurred
B. What happened right before the behavior
C. What happened after the behavior
D. How long the behavior lasted
B. What happened right before the behavior
Explanation:
In ABC data collection, the components are:
Antecedent – What happens right before the behavior
Behavior – The observable behavior itself
Consequence – What happens immediately after the behavior
So in the Antecedent section, you record events, instructions, or situations that occurred right before the behavior.
When implementing extinction, the RBT must be prepared for?
A) Immediately decrease in the behavior
B) An extinction burst and possible aggression
C) Less need for reinforcement
D) More client compliance
B) An extinction burst and possible aggression
Explanation: When extinction is first implemented (withholding the reinforcement that previously maintained the behavior), it is common to see an extinction burst.
An extinction burst may include:
Temporary increase in the behavior
Higher intensity of the behavior
Possible aggression, tantrums, or variability in behavior
You are asked to track "aggression" (hitting). The definition says: "Any instance of the client's open hand making contact with another person." During the session, the client hits you with a closed fist. Should you record this?
B) No. Data must be recorded strictly according to the operational definition (open hand), not what you think is aggressive.
Explanation: In ABA, behaviors must be recorded exactly according to the operational definition.
The definition given is: “Any instance of the client's open hand making contact with another person.”
Since the client used a closed fist, it does not match the operational definition.
Therefore, you should not record it as aggression under this definition (though you should still report it to the supervisor because the definition may need to be updated).
If you are prompt fading and allow for a small amount of time to pass to see if the client can complete the skill independently, you are using____________.
A: Model prompt
B: Verbal prompt
C: Time delay prompting
D: Physical prompt
C: Time delay prompting
Explanation: Time delay prompting is when the instructor waits briefly after presenting the SD to allow the learner an opportunity to respond independently before providing a prompt.
Example:
BT says “Touch head.” (SD)
Waits a few seconds to see if the client responds independently
If no response occurs, the BT provides a prompt
This strategy is used to fade prompts and promote independence.
A clinician teaches labeling colors by spacing trials throughout the session with play breaks in between. This is called what?
A. Distributed Practice
B. Extinction
C. Prompting
D. Mass Practice
A. Distributed Practice
Explanation: Distributed practice means that teaching trials are spaced out over time, often with breaks, play, or other activities in between.
In this scenario:
The clinician teaches labeling colors
Trials are spread throughout the session
Play breaks occur between trials
This is the definition of distributed practice.
Why the others are incorrect:
B: Extinction – withholding reinforcement for a behavior
C: Prompting – giving assistance to help produce the correct response
D: Massed Practice – many trials presented back-to-back with little or no breaks
A client throws toys during free play until staff gives them an iPad. The behavior continues because it results in access to what?
A. Escape
B. Tangible
C. Automatic
D. Attention
B. Tangible
Rationale: this behavior is maintained by tangible reinforcement because the client receives a preferred item (the iPad) after engaging in the behavior.
Maya (5) engages in non-compliant behavior (e.g., refusing to sit) when a new person enters the room. Behavior reduction plan goal: Decrease non-compliance and increase appropriate attention-seeking. What should the RBT do?
A) Implement DRO (Differential reinforcement of other behavior)
B)Implement DRI (Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior
C) Implement DRA (Differential reinforcement of Alternate behavior)
D) Implement DRL (Differential reinforcement of Low rate)
C) a Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA) strategy, reinforcing when Maya appropriately asks for attention (e.g., "Look at me!") and avoiding giving attention when she engages in non-compliance.
Explanation
The goal states:
Decrease non-compliance
Increase appropriate attention-seeking
DRA is used when we reinforce an appropriate alternative behavior that serves the same function as the problem behavior.
In this case:
Function: Likely attention when a new person enters
Problem behavior: Refusing to sit
Replacement behavior: Appropriate attention-seeking (e.g., saying “Hi,” raising hand, asking for attention)
The Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) states that for a tantrum, you should use extinction (ignoring the behavior). During a session, the client throws a toy, and the parent yells, "Just give them the toy so they stop!" What should you do?
C. RBTs must follow the written plan. If a parent interferes, it should be documented, and the supervisor should be notified.
Explanation: RBTs are required to follow the Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) as written by the supervising BCBA. If the plan states to use extinction (not giving the toy during tantrums), giving the toy would reinforce the tantrum behavior.
The appropriate action is to:
Continue following the BIP
Remain calm and professional
Briefly explain to the parent that you are following the behavior plan designed to reduce the behavior
What is the goal of prompt fading?
A: To increase independence so that eventually the learner will be able to perform the skill independently without prompting.
B: When the learner is independent it takes less to time to run each target, therefor we are able to run a higher frequency of trials per session
C: To give opportunities to generalize the prompt level
D: All of the above
A: To increase independence so that eventually the learner will be able to perform the skill independently without prompting.
Explanation: The primary goal of prompt fading in ABA is to transfer stimulus control from the prompt to the natural SD, so the learner can perform the skill independently.
Why the others are incorrect:
B: While independence may make sessions more efficient, efficiency is not the goal of prompt fading.
C: Prompt fading is not specifically for generalizing prompt levels.
A therapist presents the SD, “Touch green.” The client touches the red card. The therapist says, “Great job!” and delivers a token.
Which component of the three-term contingency does “Great job! Here’s a token” represent?
A. Consequence
B. Prompt
C. Response
D. Discriminative stimulus
A. Consequence
Explanation: “Great job! Here’s a token” functions as the consequence because it is delivered immediately after the client’s response and is intended to increase the likelihood of the behavior occurring in the future by serving as reinforcement.
A client engages in hand flapping throughout the session. Staff ignore the behavior, peers leave the area, and no items are delivered or removed. The behavior continues at the same rate across multiple settings and therapists. This behavior is most likely maintained by what function?
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Tangible
D. Automatic
D. Automatic
Rationale: This is automatic because the behavior continues without attention, tangibles, or escape.
A child screams to get a toy another child is playing with. The therapist decides to no longer give the toy to the screaming child, even if they did so in the past. What is this behavior reduction strategy?
A) Identifying functions of behaviors
B) Differential Reinforcement
C) Modifying Antecedent
D) Extinction
D) Extinction
Explanation: Extinction occurs when the reinforcement that previously maintained a behavior is no longer provided.
In this scenario:
The child screams to get a toy (behavior)
In the past, the child received the toy (reinforcement)
Now the therapist no longer gives the toy when the child screams
This means the reinforcement for screaming is being withheld, which is extinction.
Your supervisor asks you to use a "most-to-least" prompting strategy to teach a new skill. You find it easier and faster to use "least-to-most." Can you change the procedure?
B. No, because it compromises treatment integrity.
Explanation: RBTs must implement programs exactly as written by the supervising BCBA. Changing the prompting strategy (from most-to-least to least-to-most) without approval would compromise treatment integrity.
If you think another method might work better, the correct action is to:
Bring it up with your supervisor
Allow the BCBA to decide whether to modify the program
Why the others are incorrect:
A) Even if the client might learn faster, RBTs cannot independently change procedures
C) Parent agreement does not override the treatment plan or BCBA supervision