Least-to-most prompting
A prompting procedure that gives the learner a chance to respond independently, then provides increasingly more assistive prompts from the hierarchy until the correct response occurs.
In least-to-most (LTM) prompting, also called the system of least prompts, each trial begins with the SD and a brief wait for an independent response. If the learner does not respond correctly within the set time, the RBT gives the least intrusive prompt in the plan's hierarchy and waits again. If that is not enough, the next more assistive prompt is given, and so on, up to a prompt that ensures the correct response, often physical guidance.
Because the learner always has the chance to respond with the least help first, LTM builds in fading: as the learner improves, fewer prompts are needed. It works well for learners who already have some of the skill, or who respond well to small hints.
The disadvantage is that the learner can make errors before the effective prompt is reached, and the trial can take longer. For learners who become frustrated with errors, or for brand-new skills, the supervisor may choose most-to-least prompting or errorless methods instead.
The RBT must follow the response window and the order of prompts exactly and record the level at which the learner responded correctly.
Example and non-example
| Example | An RBT says "Put on your coat." The client does nothing for 5 seconds, so the RBT points to the coat. The client still does not start, so the RBT models picking it up. The client then picks it up and puts it on. |
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| Non-example | The RBT begins by guiding the client's hands to the coat, then uses a lighter touch on later trials as the client succeeds. Starting with the most help is most-to-least prompting. |
Don't confuse it with
| Most-to-least prompting | Most-to-least starts with the most assistive prompt and fades; least-to-most starts with independence and adds help only as needed. |
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Test yourself
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Question 1A plan says: give the instruction and wait 5 seconds; if the client does not respond correctly, give a verbal prompt; if still incorrect, a model; then, if needed, physical guidance. Which prompting procedure is this?
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C: Least-to-most prompting. Least-to-most prompting gives the learner a chance to respond independently, then adds more help one level at a time on that trial until the response occurs.
- A: Most-to-least prompting starts with the most help and reduces it across trials or sessions.
- B: Graduated guidance adjusts physical help moment to moment during the response.
- D: Progressive time delay gradually lengthens the wait before a single prompt; it does not step through several prompt types.
Task C.7 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 2Which drawback is most often linked to least-to-most prompting?
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D: The learner may make more errors before reaching a prompt that works. Because least-to-most prompting starts with little or no help, a learner who does not yet know the skill may respond incorrectly at the first levels before receiving enough help. That is why it is often used once a learner has some of the skill.
- A: That describes the starting point of most-to-least prompting.
- B: Least-to-most prompting builds in fading, since each trial starts with no prompt.
- C: Each least-to-most trial begins with an opportunity to respond independently.
Task C.7 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 3A plan's least-to-most hierarchy is: independent, verbal, gestural, model, full physical. On one trial, the client does not respond correctly after the gestural prompt. What should the RBT give next?
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B: A model prompt. In least-to-most prompting, the RBT moves to the next level of the plan's hierarchy each time the learner does not respond correctly. In this plan, a model follows the gestural prompt.
- A: The verbal prompt was already given at the level before the gestural prompt.
- C: Full physical is the last level; the model prompt comes first in this hierarchy.
- D: Least-to-most prompting moves up the hierarchy after an incorrect response rather than starting over.
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.