Gestural prompt
A response prompt in which the RBT uses a movement such as pointing, nodding, tapping or motioning to show the learner where or how to respond.
A gestural prompt uses body movement to cue the correct response without touching the learner or demonstrating the whole response. Examples include pointing to the correct picture, tapping the place a puzzle piece goes, nodding toward the door when it is time to leave, or motioning "come here."
Gestures are usually considered less intrusive than physical or modeling prompts, and they are easy to give quickly. They are common in receptive tasks, transitions and daily routines.
Gestures can easily become unplanned prompts. An RBT who glances at the correct card, leans toward it, or moves a hand toward it may be prompting without meaning to, which can make the data look better than the learner's real skill and can lead to prompt dependence. Keeping hands still and eyes neutral after the SD helps prevent this.
When the plan calls for gestural prompts, the RBT gives them clearly and consistently, fades them according to the plan, and records them as prompted responses.
Example and non-example
| Example | The RBT says "Throw away your napkin," and when the teen does not move, points to the trash can. The teen throws the napkin away. |
|---|---|
| Non-example | The RBT demonstrates throwing a napkin in the trash for the teen to copy. A demonstration of the response is a modeling prompt. |
Don't confuse it with
| Modeling prompt | A modeling prompt demonstrates the response; a gestural prompt only points or motions toward it. |
|---|---|
| Visual prompt | A gesture is a movement made by the RBT; a visual prompt is a picture, written word or other visual cue in the materials or environment. |
Test yourself
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Question 1An RBT says "Touch the triangle" and points to the triangle card. What type of prompt is the pointing?
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A: Gestural prompt. A gestural prompt is a movement such as pointing, nodding or reaching toward the correct choice. It is a response prompt because it acts on the learner's response, not on the materials.
- B: A model prompt shows the learner the response to imitate; pointing shows where to respond.
- C: A physical prompt involves touching or guiding the learner's body; pointing does not.
- D: A verbal prompt is spoken help; pointing is a movement.
Task C.7 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 2A plan counts only independent responses as correct. While waiting for a client's answer, the RBT nods slightly toward the correct picture without meaning to, and the client then touches it. How should the RBT score the trial?
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B: As prompted, because the nod gave the client added help. Any added cue that helps the learner respond correctly, even an accidental nod, is a prompt. Scoring the trial as prompted keeps the data accurate, and the RBT should work to avoid unplanned cues.
- A: A prompt does not need to be planned to help; the nod was a gestural cue toward the answer.
- C: Nothing says the client exceeded a time limit; the client touched the correct picture.
- D: Leaving a trial off the record makes the data inaccurate; the trial should be scored as it happened.
Task C.7 · 40-hour curriculum section E · RBT Ethics Code 2.02
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Question 3Over several weeks, an RBT's prompt for a client's "Touch red" target changes from tapping the red card, to pointing at it from a few inches away, to a brief glance toward it, as the plan directs. What is happening?
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C: A gestural prompt is being faded by making it less and less noticeable. A prompt can be faded within one prompt type by reducing its size, closeness or intensity. Here the gesture shrinks from a tap on the card to a glance, moving control toward the instruction.
- A: Least-to-most prompting adds help within a trial; here help is reduced across weeks.
- B: The card itself is not changed; the RBT's gesture is.
- D: None of these steps involves touching the client, so no physical prompt is used.
Task C.7 · 40-hour curriculum section E
Answer every question to see your score.
On the RBT exam
This term belongs to task C.7 Prompting and prompt fading in content area C, Behavior Acquisition, which is 19 of the 75 scored questions.