Extra instructions, color cues, and visual models are par for the course when teaching many new skills. But, what happens when these helpful prompts turn harmful? This week, we’re joined by Dr. Catia Cividini-Motta to discuss ways to overcome prompt dependence with learners. And, after all the research is reviewed, we get a knock-down, drag-out fight to the finish to find out which methods are the best (spoiler alert: the results of these match-ups are never that simple).

Articles discussed this episode:

Cividini-Motta, C. & Ahearn, W.H. (2013). Effects of two variations of differential reinforcement on prompt dependency. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2013, 640-650. doi: 10.1002/jaba.67

Karsten, A.M. & Carr, J.E. (2009). The effects of differential reinforcement of unprompted responding on the skill acquisition of children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 327-334. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2009.42-327

Gorgan, E.M. & Kodak, T. (2019). Comparison of interventions to treat prompt dependence for children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 52, 1049-1063. doi: 10.1002/jaba.638

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