What is chaining in ABA therapy?

Chaining is a fundamental technique used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to teach complex skills by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps. This process involves linking together individual behaviors or steps into a cohesive sequence. For instance, teaching a child to brush their teeth can be viewed as a chain of specific behaviors, such as picking up the toothbrush, applying toothpaste, and brushing each quadrant of the mouth.

By dividing the task into discrete steps, each can be taught and mastered separately before being combined into a complete task. This method is effective because it allows learners to achieve success with each individual component of a task, reinforcing their understanding and ability to perform the entire sequence as they progress.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of behavior and skill development. Social reinforcement pertains more to interpersonal interactions, while enhancing receptive language skills and promoting whole-body engagement do not specifically involve the methodical breakdown of tasks that is characteristic of chaining. Thus, the focus of chaining on sequential learning through step-wise instruction makes the correct answer particularly relevant to the teaching methods employed in ABA.