RBT Prompting Strategies and Prompt Fading — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following prompt types provides the MOST assistance to a learner?
- Gestural prompt
- Verbal prompt
- Positional prompt
- Full physical prompt (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Full physical prompt
A full physical prompt (hand-over-hand guidance) provides the most direct assistance by physically moving the learner through the complete response. It sits at the top of most-to-least prompt hierarchies because it leaves no room for error.
Question 2: An RBT uses a 'least-to-most' (LTM) prompt hierarchy. What does this mean in practice?
- Begin with full physical assistance and systematically remove it over sessions
- Start with the least intrusive prompt and increase assistance only if the learner does not respond correctly (Correct answer)
- Always deliver a verbal prompt before any other type of prompt
- Fade prompts as fast as possible regardless of learner accuracy
Correct answer: Start with the least intrusive prompt and increase assistance only if the learner does not respond correctly
In least-to-most prompting, the RBT starts with the minimum level of assistance (e.g., a gesture or position cue) and escalates to more intrusive prompts (e.g., physical guidance) only if the learner fails to respond within the allotted time. This gives the learner every opportunity to respond independently.
Question 3: Which of the following BEST describes 'prompt fading'?
- Increasing the number and intensity of prompts over time
- Systematically reducing the level of prompting so the learner responds independently (Correct answer)
- Switching from verbal prompts to written instructions
- Providing prompts only on the first trial of each session
Correct answer: Systematically reducing the level of prompting so the learner responds independently
Prompt fading is the planned, gradual withdrawal of prompts so that the learner's responding comes under control of the natural discriminative stimulus rather than the prompt. The end goal is independent, unprompted responding.
Question 4: A learner consistently responds correctly only when a full physical prompt is given and does not respond to verbal prompts alone. This pattern MOST likely indicates:
- The learner has met mastery criteria and is ready for a new program
- The reinforcer being used is not strong enough
- Prompt dependency — the learner has not transferred stimulus control to the natural cue (Correct answer)
- The program objective is written incorrectly
Correct answer: Prompt dependency — the learner has not transferred stimulus control to the natural cue
Prompt dependency occurs when the learner responds only in the presence of an added prompt rather than the natural SD. The RBT should notify the supervisor so a systematic fading procedure can be implemented to transfer stimulus control.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a GESTURAL prompt?
- The RBT says 'Touch the ball'
- The RBT physically moves the learner's hand to the ball
- The RBT points toward the ball (Correct answer)
- The RBT places the ball closer to the learner than the other choices
Correct answer: The RBT points toward the ball
A gestural prompt uses the RBT's body movement — such as pointing, nodding, or looking at the correct item — to indicate the correct response. It is less intrusive than physical prompts but more intrusive than positional or environmental prompts.
Question 6: In a 'progressive time delay' fading procedure, what changes across trials?
- The type of reinforcer delivered after correct responses
- The duration of the inter-trial interval
- The waiting period between the SD and the delivery of the prompt gradually increases (Correct answer)
- The difficulty of the task analysis step being targeted
Correct answer: The waiting period between the SD and the delivery of the prompt gradually increases
In progressive time delay, the RBT initially delivers the prompt immediately after the SD (0-second delay), then gradually increases the delay by small increments (e.g., 1 s → 2 s → 4 s). This gives the learner an expanding window to respond independently before the prompt arrives.
RBT Prompting Strategies and Prompt Fading
Which of the following prompt types provides the MOST assistance to a learner?