What is the difference between a verbal and a physical prompt?

The distinction between verbal and physical prompts is crucial in the context of Applied Behavior Analysis and supporting individuals with learning and developmental needs. A verbal prompt involves using spoken language to guide a learner toward a specific response or behavior. This can include giving directions, cues, or hints verbally. For instance, telling a child, "Say 'hello'" is a verbal prompt aimed at encouraging communication.

In contrast, a physical prompt is characterized by its use of tactile assistance to guide a learner's actions. This might involve physically guiding a person's hand to complete a task or gently leading someone through the motions of a behavior. Such prompts can be especially useful in teaching physical skills or tasks where verbal instructions alone may not suffice.

Understanding this difference is important as each type of prompt may be employed based on the learner’s individual needs and capabilities, with the goal of fostering independence in skills acquisition.