In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, a prompt is a cue or assistance given to help a person learn and perform a desired behavior or skill. Prompts can be used for many different things, such as helping someone brush their teeth or answer a question.

 

    Types of prompts include:

 

• Verbal Prompt: A verbal prompt involves providing the client with a verbal cue. An example of this would be giving the client the beginning sound of the word to be learned.

 

• Gestural Prompt: Any type of gesture, such as nodding the head or pointing to an object, is considered a gestural prompt.

 

• Modeling Prompt: This type of prompt involves the teacher demonstrating the prompt first and then asking the client to repeat the task or skill.

 

• Full Physical Prompt: This type of prompt, also known as hand-over-hand assistance, involves physically guiding the client’s hands to complete the skill.

 

• Partial Physical Prompt: This type of prompt still provides guided assistance, but only when necessary.

 

• Visual Prompt: A visual prompt involves the use of a picture, photograph, video, or other type of visual cue.