ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Prompting and Fading Procedures Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An ABAT is teaching a client to write their name. The ABAT starts with full hand-over-hand physical guidance. Over subsequent trials, the ABAT reduces the guidance to a light touch at the wrist, then to just pointing to the paper. This is an example of which procedure?
- Least-to-Most Prompting
- Stimulus Fading
- Most-to-Least Prompting (Correct answer)
- Time Delay
Correct answer: Most-to-Least Prompting
Most-to-least prompting involves starting with the most intrusive prompt that guarantees a correct response (in this case, full physical guidance) and systematically fading to less intrusive prompts as the learner demonstrates success. [10, 20]
Question 2: A client has learned to wash their hands but will only start the task when the ABAT points to the sink, even though the verbal instruction 'Wash your hands' has been given. This situation is a primary example of:
- Prompt Dependency (Correct answer)
- Skill Generalization
- Stimulus Control
- Spontaneous Recovery
Correct answer: Prompt Dependency
Prompt dependency occurs when a learner becomes reliant on a specific prompt to perform a skill and cannot perform it in the presence of the natural stimulus alone. [4, 7] In this case, the client depends on the gestural prompt (pointing) rather than responding to the verbal instruction.
Question 3: Which of the following scenarios best describes a least-to-most prompting procedure?
- The ABAT places a correct picture card closer to the client than the incorrect cards.
- The ABAT provides full physical guidance for a client to button a shirt and then slowly reduces the physical contact over time.
- The ABAT shows a video of someone brushing their teeth before asking the client to complete the task.
- The ABAT first gives a verbal instruction. When the client doesn't respond, the ABAT gestures. When there is still no response, the ABAT provides a physical prompt. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The ABAT first gives a verbal instruction. When the client doesn't respond, the ABAT gestures. When there is still no response, the ABAT provides a physical prompt.
Least-to-most prompting begins with the least intrusive prompt necessary and increases the level of support only if the learner fails to respond correctly. [19, 20] This sequence starts with a verbal prompt, moves to a more intrusive gestural prompt, and then to an even more intrusive physical prompt as needed.
Question 4: An ABAT is teaching a client to say 'ball'. Initially, when the ABAT holds up a ball and asks, 'What is it?', they immediately say 'ball' for the client to echo. In later trials, the ABAT asks, 'What is it?', waits 3 seconds before providing the verbal prompt 'ball'. This technique is known as:
- Graduated Guidance
- Time Delay (Correct answer)
- Stimulus Fading
- Response Interruption and Redirection
Correct answer: Time Delay
Time delay is a prompt fading procedure where a period of time is inserted between the presentation of the natural stimulus (the instruction) and the delivery of the prompt. [2, 5] This delay provides the learner with an opportunity to respond independently.
Question 5: The primary goal of using prompt fading procedures in a skill acquisition program is to:
- Transfer stimulus control from the artificial prompt to the natural discriminative stimulus (SD). (Correct answer)
- Ensure the learner always responds with 100% accuracy during the initial stages of learning.
- Decrease the rate of problem behavior associated with difficult or new tasks.
- Introduce new skills more rapidly into the learner's repertoire by preventing errors.
Correct answer: Transfer stimulus control from the artificial prompt to the natural discriminative stimulus (SD).
The ultimate purpose of fading is to transfer stimulus control from the prompt to the natural stimulus (the SD). [16, 21] This ensures the learner can perform the skill independently in the real-world environment without needing artificial cues.
Question 6: A technician is teaching a child to identify the letter 'B'. Initially, the correct letter 'B' is printed much larger and in a brighter color than the other letters in an array. Over time, the 'B' is gradually made the same size and color as the other letters. This procedure is an example of:
- Prompt Fading
- Most-to-Least Prompting
- Stimulus Fading (Correct answer)
- Time Delay
Correct answer: Stimulus Fading
Stimulus fading involves the systematic and gradual removal of a feature of the stimulus itself. [13] In this case, the prominent visual characteristics (size and color) of the letter 'B' are being faded until it matches the natural stimulus.
ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Prompting and Fading Procedures Questions and Answers 1
An ABAT is teaching a client to write their name.
The ABAT starts with full hand-over-hand physical guidance.
Over subsequent trials, the ABAT reduces the guidance to a light touch at the wrist, then to just pointing to the paper.
This is an example of which procedure?