Prompt Fading: What, Why, and How

Remember that post about prompting and how great it is for our learners? Well, I'm here today to tell you to get rid of those amazing prompts. Why? Because, while they are awesome in helping our individuals learn or strengthen a skill, we don't want to rely on them forever. So, with that being said, here's how to fade out those prompts...

Photo by: Molly Coulter

What is Prompt Fading?

Prompt fading is the systematic (read: planned and programmed) reduction of a prompt until it is eliminated or redefined as an integrated part of the task.

Why Do I Need to Fade Out Prompts?

When your learner is reliably demonstrating the desired skill with the prompts given, it is time to gradually fade the support. When fading prompts, it is crucial to continue to take data on the learner's performance to determine whether the supports are being faded too quickly, or not quickly enough.

How Do I Fade Prompts?

- Determine what you're fading to- most likely, this will be the natural cue. 

- Before you implement a prompt, know how you are going to fade it out.

- Be systematic and strategic in your fading

- Monitor carefully and take data!

- Make sure everyone working with the learner is on the same page about prompting and the level of fade for the different skills

- Generalize the skill to other people, places, times, and situations. Plan for this generalization and program your fading in these scenarios too

- Reinforce more independent responses as prompts are faded

- Focus on making prompts less intrusive

- Make reinforcers more potent for unprompted skill responses.

Some steps to in fading:

- Consider how much help is being provided. For example: begin by using hand over hand, then gradually reduce the prompt to guidance, then gestures, etc. The fading will go from high to low force.

- Consider the time between instruction and prompt. For example: begin by immediately prompting the learner, then gradually extend the time between the instruction and the prompt. The fading will go from immediate to delayed timing.

- Consider the proximity. For example, begin teaching directly in front of student, then gradually move your proximity further and further away. The fading will go from close to distant proximity.

ABA at Play: antecedent management, prompting, prompt fading, visuals, Positive Behavior Supports, evidence-based practices, generalization, reinforcement procedures, individualized supports, shaping