RBT Prompting Strategies and Prompt Fading

Question 1

Which of the following prompt types provides the MOST assistance to a learner?

Accepted Answer

Full physical prompt

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Start with the least intrusive prompt and increase assistance only if the learner does not respond correctly

Answer

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'?

Accepted Answer

Systematically reducing the level of prompting so the learner responds independently

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Prompt dependency — the learner has not transferred stimulus control to the natural cue

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The RBT points toward the ball

Answer

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.

RBT Practice Test

RBT Practice Test

RBT Prompting Strategies and Prompt Fading