Physical prompt
A response prompt in which the RBT touches the learner to help them make the correct response, ranging from a light touch to full hand-over-hand guidance.
Physical prompts guide the learner's body. A full physical prompt moves the learner through the whole response, often hand over hand, for example guiding both hands to pull up pants. A partial physical prompt gives only some help, such as a light tap at the elbow to start a reach or a nudge at the wrist.
Physical prompts are usually the most intrusive and most assistive prompts in a hierarchy. They can make a correct response almost certain, which is why most-to-least prompting and graduated guidance often begin with them. They are especially useful for motor skills and for learners who do not yet imitate or follow verbal directions.
Their drawbacks are intrusiveness and the risk of prompt dependence. Some learners dislike being touched, and physical guidance should never become force. The RBT uses gentle, minimal pressure, follows the plan's rules on when physical prompts are allowed, watches for signs that the learner is pulling away or withdrawing assent, and reports any concerns to the supervisor.
Physical prompting is a teaching procedure. It is different from physical restraint or crisis procedures, which are used only in emergencies according to a written plan.
Example and non-example
| Example | To help a child put a coin in a bank, the RBT places their hand over the child's hand and guides the coin into the slot, then praises the child. |
|---|---|
| Non-example | The RBT shows the child how to put a coin in the slot while the child watches. A demonstration is a modeling prompt. |
Don't confuse it with
| Modeling prompt | A modeling prompt demonstrates the response without touching; a physical prompt guides the learner through it. |
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| Graduated guidance | Graduated guidance is a procedure for adjusting physical help moment to moment; a physical prompt is the help itself. |
Test yourself
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Question 1An RBT places their hands over a child's hands and guides the child through the whole motion of zipping a jacket. What type of prompt is this?
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B: Full physical prompt. Guiding the learner through the entire response with hand-over-hand help is a full physical prompt, usually the most intrusive level of a prompt hierarchy.
- A: A partial physical prompt gives only some physical help, such as a light touch to start the motion; here the RBT guides the whole motion.
- C: A model prompt shows the response for the learner to imitate, without touching the learner.
- D: A gestural prompt is a movement such as pointing, with no physical contact.
Task C.7 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 2While teaching a client to use a spoon, an RBT keeps their hand close to the client's hand. The RBT guides only as much as needed at each moment, lightens the touch as soon as the client starts the motion, and moves the hand away as the client continues alone. Which procedure is this?
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A: Graduated guidance. Graduated guidance gives physical help only as needed and reduces it immediately as the learner begins to respond, sometimes ending with the RBT's hand simply following, or shadowing, the learner's movement.
- B: Most-to-least prompting steps down prompt levels across trials or sessions by a criterion; here help changes moment to moment within one response.
- C: A full physical prompt guides the whole response; here help is lessened during the response.
- D: Least-to-most prompting waits for an independent attempt and then adds help; here help starts close and is reduced.
Task C.7 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 3An 8-year-old's plan uses partial physical prompts. Today the child pulls their arm away and says "No touch" each time the RBT starts a physical prompt. What should the RBT do?
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A: Stop the physical prompt, follow any steps the plan gives for this, and contact the supervisor. Pulling away and saying "No touch" signal that the child is withdrawing assent to physical prompts. The RBT stops, follows any plan steps for this situation, and contacts the supervisor for direction instead of forcing the prompt.
- B: Pushing through clear signs that the child does not want to be touched risks harm and ignores the child's withdrawal of assent.
- C: Continuing without checking with the supervisor ignores the child's objection and delays needed direction.
- D: Changing the prompting procedure is the supervisor's decision.
Task C.7 · 40-hour curriculum section E · RBT Ethics Code 2.01 · RBT Ethics Code 2.06
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.