What is a prompt in ABA?

A prompt in ABA refers to a stimulus or cue that is used to encourage a desired response from a learner. Prompts serve as guidance to help individuals perform a specific behavior or skill that they may not be able to execute independently. They can take various forms, such as verbal hints, physical guidance, or visual aids, and are typically applied before the behavior occurs to increase the likelihood of that behavior being displayed.

Using prompts is a crucial aspect of teaching new skills in applied behavior analysis because they help bridge the gap between what a learner can do independently and what they need to learn. Once the learner becomes more competent and confident in the skill, prompts can be gradually faded to promote independence.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of behavior management. Rewards for positive behavior are primarily related to reinforcement, which encourages the continuation of a behavior after it has been performed. This is distinct from prompting, which aims to elicit the behavior in the first place. Similarly, forms of reinforcement and consequences refer to what happens after a behavior rather than providing the initial guidance needed to initiate that behavior. Understanding the role of prompts is essential for effectively supporting learning and skill acquisition in ABA therapy.