Forward chaining
A chaining procedure that teaches the first step of the task analysis first, then adds each later step in order once the earlier steps are mastered.
In forward chaining, teaching starts at the beginning of the sequence. The learner practices the first step until it meets the mastery criterion, with prompts faded as planned. Then the learner performs step one and is taught step two, and so on, until the whole chain is performed. Reinforcement is delivered when the learner completes the step currently being taught; the plan says whether the remaining steps are completed by the RBT, prompted, or simply not done at that stage.
Forward chaining is useful when early steps are meaningful on their own, when the task is long, or when the learner already knows the first steps. Examples include writing a name letter by letter, or a morning routine that starts with getting out of bed.
A disadvantage is that, early in teaching, the learner does not reach the natural end of the task and its natural reinforcer, so the plan relies on added reinforcement for each step. The RBT must also be careful to deliver reinforcement for the target step rather than only at the end.
Example and non-example
| Example | To teach writing their name, "MAYA", the plan has the client write the M independently and receive praise. When M is mastered, the client writes M and is taught A, and so on. |
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| Non-example | The RBT writes M, A and Y and has the client write the final A. Starting with the last step is backward chaining. |
Don't confuse it with
| Backward chaining | Backward chaining teaches the last step first so the learner finishes the task; forward chaining teaches the first step first. |
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| Total task chaining | Total task chaining has the learner do every step each session; forward chaining teaches steps one at a time from the start. |
Test yourself
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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
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Question 2A plan uses forward chaining for toothbrushing. Steps 1 and 2 are mastered, step 3 is the current training step, and the plan says the RBT fully prompts any steps after the training step. The client completes steps 1 to 3 independently. When should the RBT deliver the planned reinforcement?
Show answer
C: Right after step 3, the current training step. In forward chaining, reinforcement follows completion of the current training step. The rest of the chain is then completed the way the plan says, here with full prompts from the RBT.
- A: In forward chaining the client is not yet expected to do the later steps alone, so reinforcement does not wait for the whole chain.
- B: Step 1 is already mastered; reinforcement follows the step currently being trained.
- D: Step 2 is already mastered; reinforcement follows the step currently being trained.
Task C.5 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 3Which statement correctly contrasts forward chaining and total task chaining?
Show answer
A: Forward chaining adds one step at a time; total task trains all steps. Both move through the chain in natural order, but forward chaining adds steps one at a time as each meets criterion, while total task chaining has the learner attempt the whole chain every session.
- B: Forward chaining starts with the first step, and total task covers all steps.
- C: Both use prompts as the plan directs.
- D: This reverses the two procedures.
Task C.5 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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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.