Few published studies have systematically compared the efficacy of different prompt-fading methods in the training of complex response chains. The current study systematically compared a most-to-least physical prompt fading hierarchy with a most-to-least vocal prompt fading strategy in the training of four arbitrary Tinkertoy® construction tasks…

Coaching has been shown to improve the use of evidence-based instructional practices (EBIPs), but relatively few studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of coaching for adults belonging to minority groups and paraprofessionals in public elementary school settings. In this study, a multiple probe design across participants was used…

We compared two prompting techniques that are commonly used to teach individuals with autism. In the "most-to-least" (MTL) prompting condition, the therapist initially delivered the most intrusive prompt necessary to achieve a correct response. Prompts were gradually faded across subsequent trials, while errors resulted in the provision of…

Four nonverbal autistic boys (ages 11-16) were successfully taught sign language action-object phrases following an intervention composed of prompting, fading, stimulus rotation, and differential reinforcement. The skill generalized to new situations. (Author/DB)

A color coded "extra prompt" procedure was compared to a "no extra prompt" procedure in teaching 20 autistic children and adolescents how to lace shoes. (Author/SB)

Results of a "loose training" prompting tactic to teach an autistic 11-year-old boy to initiate interactions with his peers resulted in increased spontaneous interactions (1) with training peers in nontraining, generalization sessions and (2) with nontraining peers in generalization sessions. (Author/DB)

Three autistic children (ages 9-11) received spontaneous communication training using a time delay, modeling, and food reinforcement procedure. Results showed gains in 2 spontaneous responses ("please" and "thank you") and 1 verbally prompted response ("you're welcome"). Gains were validated socially with 10 adults. (Author/JDD)

Two methods of prompting were compared for their relative effectiveness in teaching a group of autistic students, age 12-20, to discriminate line drawings used in picture communication books. Students required fewer trials to criterion and made significantly fewer errors in the delayed-prompting technique compared to the fading-of-prompts design.…

A study assessed the efficacy of a written script/cue card program to teach conversational speech skills to three verbal, literate boys (ages 8-10) with autism. Initially boys demonstrated low frequencies of conversational speech. Following intervention, all three quickly met the training criteria and maintained correct responding without cue…

This case study describes the use of transfer-of-stimulus prompting procedures to develop toilet skills with a seven-year-old child with pervasive developmental disorder. By first having the child sit on the toilet with her diaper on for two weeks and then taking the diaper off, the child learned to urinate in the toilet. (CR)

The study assessed the efficacy of time delay and peer modeling procedures in increasing spontaneous verbalizations of affection in four autistic children (ages 6-8). Results indicated that the time delay was a quick and effective procedure for all subjects. Peer modeling was unsuccessful in teaching the target behavior. (Author)

This study involving three autistic and four nondisabled preschool children found that a peer-initiation intervention produced increases in peer initiations and social interactions when the teacher verbally prompted, but not without verbal prompts. When a correspondence training/visual feedback package was implemented, peer initiations and social…

Four mentally retarded children (ages 4-11), 3 with autism, were successfully taught various adaptive behaviors for self-care skills. Training procedures involved the whole-task method and included modeling, verbal instructions, prompting, and edible and social reinforcement. (Author/JDD)