Fade Prompts & Build Independence: ABA Strategies for Home, School & Work

This week Paola (BCBA) along with Leslie and Brittanny (RBTs) unpack how prompts and prompt fading work in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to build true independence at home, school, or work. We break down what prompts really are, why they matter, and how using the right prompting strategies can guide behavior toward success. You’ll hear real-life examples of how to apply ABA prompting and fading in daily routines, like morning checklists, brushing teeth, taking vitamins, and even workplace habits. We also dive into the science of stimulus control and reinforcement, so you understand how to fade prompts the right way and avoid prompt dependence. If you want practical ABA strategies to help kids, students, or adults respond to natural cues (not constant reminders) this episode is for you.

 

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After listening to this episode, participants will be able to:

• Explain how stimulus prompts operate on antecedent stimuli to increase the likelihood of correct responding. Explain the concept of prompt dependency and describe how overuse or failure to fade prompts can interfere with the development of stimulus control
• Describe how the principle of stimulus control applies to prompt fading, including how to arrange antecedents and reinforce independent responding to promote generalization and maintenance.
• Develop an example plan for prompt fading in a common daily routine or social situation, demonstrating how to match the appropriate fading strategy to the learner’s skill level while maintaining efficient skill acquisition.

Reference:

• Cengher, M., Budd, A., Farrell, N. et al. A Review of Prompt-Fading Procedures: Implications for Effective and Efficient Skill Acquisition. J Dev Phys Disabil 30, 155–173 (2018).
• Cooper, J.O., Heron, T.E., & Heward, W.L. ((2020). Applied Behavior Analysis, Third Edition. Pearson Education Inc. Sprick, R. S., & Baldwin, K.
• Mcdonnell, John & Ferguson, Brad. (1989). A comparison of time delay and decreasing prompt hierarchy strategies in teaching banking skills to students with moderate handicaps. Journal of applied behavior analysis. 22. 85-91. 10.1901/jaba.1989.22-85.
• Schnell, L.K., Cengher, M., Kisamore, A.N. (2023). Prompt and Prompt-Fading Procedures. In: Matson, J.L. (eds) Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham.