Backwards chaining is a teaching method used in AppliedApplied means that the behaviors targeted for change in ABA are important and meaningful in everyday life, helping to improve the person’s quality of life or social functioning. Example A ... More BehaviorBehavior refers to any activity or action that living organisms engage in, which can be observed, measured, and analyzed. It encompasses all interactions an organism has with its environment, inc... More Analysis (ABA) where a multi-step task is taught by starting with the last step of the task first. The instructor completes all the initial steps for the learner, and the learner is required to complete only the final step. Once the final step is mastered, the next-to-last step is taught, and so on, until the individual can perform the entire sequence independently. This method provides immediate reinforcementReinforcement is a fundamental concept in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and behavioral psychology. It refers to any consequence that follows a behavior and increases the likelihood that the behavior... More by allowing the learner to complete the task successfully, which helps build confidence and competence.
Example
A behavior analyst is teaching a child named Sam how to tie his shoes. Using backwards chaining, the analyst first performs all the steps leading up to the last part of the task, which is pulling the loops tight to secure the knot. Sam is then prompted to complete this last step. Once Sam masters pulling the loops tight, the analyst moves to teaching the second-to-last step: creating the loops. After mastering that, Sam is taught to cross the laces, and so on, until he can tie his shoes independently from start to finish.
Forwards ChainingForwards chaining is a teaching method used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) where a multi-step task is taught by starting with the first step of the task and gradually adding subsequent steps. The ... More, Total Task ChainingA behavior analyst is teaching a child named John how to wash his hands. The entire sequence includes turning on the faucet, getting soap, scrubbing hands, rinsing, and drying with a towel. Using tota... More, Behavior ChainA behavior chain is a series of individual behaviors that are linked together to form a complex skill or sequence. Each behavior in the chain serves as a cue (or discriminative stimulus) for the next ... More