BCAT Skill Acquisition Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

A technician is teaching a child to say the word "bubble." Initially, the technician provides reinforcement for any sound the child makes. Then, they only reinforce sounds that approximate "buh." Finally, reinforcement is only given when the child says the full word "bubble." This is an example of which skill acquisition procedure?

Accepted Answer

Shaping

Answer

Shaping is the correct answer because it involves reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior. The technician gradually refines the child's vocalizations from any sound to the final, complete word.

Question 2

A BCAT is working with a client in their home to increase their requesting skills. The technician sets up the environment by placing a preferred toy on a high shelf, in sight but out of reach. The goal is for the client to ask for the toy. This teaching strategy, which utilizes the client's natural motivations and environment, is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Natural Environment Teaching (NET)

Answer

Natural Environment Teaching (NET) involves teaching skills within the natural context where they would be used. By using the client's interest in the toy and the natural home setting, the technician is contriving a learning opportunity that is functional and client-led.

Question 3

When teaching a client to differentiate between a red card and a blue card, the technician provides praise and a token when the client correctly touches the red card when asked, but provides no reinforcement if they touch the blue card. This procedure is known as:

Accepted Answer

Discrimination Training

Answer

Discrimination training is the process of reinforcing a behavior in the presence of one stimulus but not others. In this scenario, the client is learning to discriminate the red card (the SD or discriminative stimulus) from the blue card (the S-delta) to receive reinforcement.

Question 4

Which of the following is a critical component of a written skill acquisition plan?

Accepted Answer

A clear definition of the target skill and mastery criteria.

Answer

A skill acquisition plan must include an objective and measurable definition of the skill being taught, as well as the specific criteria that will determine when the skill is considered mastered. This ensures consistency and allows for accurate data-driven decisions.

Question 5

A technician is teaching a client to get dressed using a forward chaining procedure. Which step would the technician teach and reinforce FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Putting on their pants.

Answer

Forward chaining involves teaching a behavioral sequence beginning with the first step. In the typical sequence of getting dressed, putting on pants would occur before putting on socks, a shirt, or shoes. The technician would teach this first step to mastery before moving to the next step in the chain.

(BCAT) Board Certified Autism Technician Practice Test

(BCAT) Board Certified Autism Technician Practice Test

BCAT Skill Acquisition Procedures Questions and Answers