Chaining
Teaching procedures that link the steps of a task analysis into one complete sequence of behavior; the main types are forward, backward and total task chaining.
Chaining procedures teach a learner to perform a behavior chain, a sequence of responses in which each step leads into the next. They start from a task analysis that lists the steps. The three main types differ in which steps are taught first:
- Forward chaining: the learner is taught the first step first; once it is mastered, the next step is added, and so on.
- Backward chaining: the teacher completes all steps except the last, which the learner is taught first, so the learner always finishes the task and contacts the reinforcer at the end. Earlier steps are then added one by one.
- Total task chaining: the learner performs every step in each teaching session, with prompts on any step they cannot do independently.
The supervisor chooses the type based on the learner's skills, the length and difficulty of the task, and how practical each approach is. Total task chaining suits learners who can do many steps already; backward chaining is useful when finishing the task is strongly reinforcing; forward chaining suits tasks where early steps can be practiced on their own.
Whatever the method, the RBT follows the plan for which steps the learner does, which prompts are used, when reinforcement is delivered and how each step is scored.
Example and non-example
| Example | To teach shoe tying, the plan uses backward chaining. The RBT ties every step except pulling the loops tight, prompts the child to pull them, and praises the finished bow. |
|---|---|
| Non-example | Teaching a child to say "cookie" by reinforcing "k", then "koo", then "cookie" is shaping, because one response is gradually changed rather than separate steps being linked. |
Don't confuse it with
| Shaping | Shaping changes a single response gradually toward a target; chaining links separate, already defined steps into a sequence. |
|---|---|
| Task analysis | A task analysis lists the steps; chaining is the procedure used to teach them as a sequence. |
Test yourself
-
Question 1A client is taught the first step of handwashing (turning on the water) until it meets criterion. Then the client is taught the first and second steps together, and so on. Which procedure is this?
Show answer
A: Forward chaining. Forward chaining teaches steps in their natural order, starting with the first step and adding the next step once the earlier ones meet criterion.
- B: Backward chaining starts with the last step of the chain, not the first.
- C: Total task chaining teaches every step in each session instead of adding steps one at a time.
- D: Shaping reinforces closer approximations of one response; this links separate steps.
Task C.5 · 40-hour curriculum section E
-
Question 2An RBT completes every step of putting on a T-shirt for a child except the last one, pulling the shirt down at the waist. The child does that step and then gets praise and playtime. Which procedure is this?
Show answer
C: Backward chaining. Backward chaining has the learner complete the final step first, with the earlier steps done or fully prompted, so each attempt ends with a finished task and reinforcement.
- A: Forward chaining teaches the first step first, not the last.
- B: In total task chaining the child would attempt every step each time.
- D: Graduated guidance is a physical prompting method, not a way of ordering steps in a chain.
Task C.5 · 40-hour curriculum section E
-
Question 3In each session, a child attempts all eight steps of a toothbrushing routine, and the RBT prompts only the steps the child cannot yet do alone. Which procedure is this?
Show answer
D: Total task chaining. Total task chaining teaches the whole chain every session, with prompts on any step the learner has not yet mastered.
- A: Forward chaining trains one step at a time from the beginning.
- B: Backward chaining trains one step at a time from the end.
- C: Stimulus fading gradually changes a feature of the stimulus; it does not order the steps of a chain.
Task C.5 · 40-hour curriculum section E
Answer every question to see your score.
On the RBT exam
This term belongs to task C.5 Task analysis and chaining in content area C, Behavior Acquisition, which is 19 of the 75 scored questions.