Total task chaining
A chaining procedure in which the learner performs every step of the task analysis in each session, receiving prompts on any step they cannot yet do independently.
In total task chaining, also called total task presentation, the learner goes through the entire chain from start to finish every time. The RBT provides prompts as needed on steps the learner cannot do independently and fades them according to the plan, often with most-to-least prompting or graduated guidance. The chain is taught until the learner performs all steps to the mastery criterion.
Total task chaining is often chosen when the learner can already do some of the steps, when the task is not too long, or when the learner can imitate. Because every step is practiced in every session, many steps can improve at once, and the learner always finishes the task and contacts the reinforcer at the end.
Data are usually collected on each step, recording whether it was independent or which prompt was needed. This shows the supervisor which steps still need support. A possible drawback is that long or difficult chains can take a lot of time and effort each session.
The RBT should give only as much help as the plan specifies on each step and avoid automatically doing the steps for the learner.
Example and non-example
| Example | Every afternoon, a client washes their hands from turning on the tap to drying them. The RBT gives a gestural prompt to get soap and a light touch to turn off the water, and the client does the other steps alone. |
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| Non-example | The RBT does every handwashing step except drying, and the client is taught only to dry their hands. Teaching just the last step is backward chaining. |
Don't confuse it with
| Forward chaining | Forward chaining teaches one step at a time starting from the first; total task chaining practices all steps every session. |
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| Backward chaining | Backward chaining teaches one step at a time starting from the last; total task chaining practices all steps every session. |
Test yourself
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Question 1In 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?
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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
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Question 2During total task chaining for dressing, a child starts to put on shoes before socks. The plan says to interrupt errors and prompt the correct step. What should the RBT do?
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C: Interrupt, prompt socks, and record a prompted step. Following the plan's error correction stops the wrong step, prompts the right one, and keeps accurate data on how much help was needed.
- A: Letting the error finish practices the wrong order and reinforces it.
- B: Requiring independence on unmastered steps is not the plan's procedure.
- D: Changing the steps of the task analysis is a plan change for the supervisor.
Task C.5 · 40-hour curriculum section E
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Question 3Which statement correctly contrasts forward chaining and total task chaining?
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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.