In which chaining procedure is the behavioral chain completed in every trial?

Teaching a skill using chaining is commonly recommended if the child can only perform some of the steps, consistently misses/skips steps, or is completing steps incorrectly. For example, on a daily basis the child throws their wet toothbrush in the sink instead of putting it in the toothbrush holder. That would be a good situation to introduce chaining into. Another issue I see commonly is the child who independently uses the bathroom, and then consistently fails to button/zip their pants back up. That is a child who could benefit from a chaining program.

A way I like to explain chaining is by comparing it to cooking. I am a recipe person. Even if I have made something multiple times, I still like to have the recipe in front of me. Imagine I asked you to make me some oatmeal raisin cookies, but I gave you no recipe to follow and no expectations of exactly what to do. What kind of raisins do I like? Do I like cinnamon in my cookies or vanilla extract? Do I prefer chewy or crisp cookies? You would likely start or finish the cooking chain successfully, but have errors or missed steps in the middle. This is why using chaining to teach a skill can be so helpful. For a child with Autism, hearing a demand like “make your bed” may not mean anything. They may need a recipe to follow, which clearly states my expectations of how to complete the task.

The 3 types of chaining are: Backward chaining, Forward chaining, and Total Task chaining.

Backward Chaining- Backward chaining refers to teaching a behavioral chain beginning with the last step: you would completely prompt the entire chain of behaviors except the last step. Using the tooth brushing example, the child would be prompted to do every single step and then would independently put the toothbrush in the toothbrush holder. Backward chaining is recommended if the child can successfully complete more steps at the end of the behavior chain. Backward chaining also has the advantage of creating a link between the most work and the biggest reinforcer. If I am using backward chaining to teach a child to make French toast, then I would prompt every step and have the child independently use a spatula to move the toast from the pan to a plate. Then we get to eat! So the most work (independent step) led to the biggest reinforcement (consuming the food). Once the last step is mastered at an independent level, then move to the last 2 steps, then the last 3 steps, etc.

Forward chaining- Forward chaining refers to teaching a behavioral chain beginning with the first step: have the child complete the first step independently and then prompt all remaining steps. Using the tooth brushing example, the child would independently pick up their toothbrush out of the toothbrush holder, and then all remaining steps are prompted. Forward chaining is recommended if the child can successfully complete more steps at the start of the behavior chain. Forward chaining has the advantage of using behavior momentum, as the 1st step is often the simplest, easiest step. If I am using forward chaining to teach a child to make French toast, then I would have the child get the bread out of the refrigerator independently, and prompt every other step. Once the first step is mastered at an independent level, then move to the first 2 steps, then the first 3 steps, etc.

Total task chaining- As the name implies, total task chaining is when you teach the complete behavior chain one step after another. Total task is what most teachers or parents naturally use to teach a skill. E.g. "Okay turn the water on...now soap up your hands....good, now scrub your hands together", etc. The adult walks the child through each step, prompting as necessary. For a child with Autism, this may still be too complex of a teaching style. For that reason, backward or forward chaining is usually more commonly used for kiddos with Autism. 

Now that the weather is getting warmer, my motivation to be outside has increased! On the surface, getting ready to go outside sounds pretty simple: get dressed and go! But when we take a closer look, this activity is fairly complex and takes many small steps before enjoying the sun. For some of our learners instructions can be as simple as “get dressed”, while others may need instructions broken down further (shorts, shirt, socks, shoes), and still others need step by step instructions for each of these tasks. There can all be considered types of a behavior chain.

What is a Behavior Chain?

A behavior chain (chaining) is a type of teaching procedure used to connect individual behaviors to form more complex responses. Any action that requires more than one response or behavior to emit, can be taught via a chaining procedure.

A complex behavior such as washing hands, tying shoes, or brushing teeth, is made up of many small individual steps. As an instructor, you can teach these small, individual steps in sequence so the learner can complete the larger complex behavior.

Why Use a Behavior Chain?

A behavior chain makes more complex tasks more achievable. When it comes to learning a new task such as how to tie shoelaces, it can be overwhelming for some to complete all the novel steps and be successful.

By using behavior chains to teach the shoelace tying sequence, you can focus on smaller more manageable teaching steps that build skill and confidence in the learner. This is usually done by the learner working on one step at a time independently, while receiving assistance through the other steps in the chain. There are some exceptions to this outlined below!

Teaching behavior chains includes the use of a Task Analysis. Check out our examples of how to use chaining with a task analysis

The Different Types of Behavior Chain

There are different types of chaining procedures that can be done. These include:

Forward Chaining

With forward chaining, the first step of the sequence is taught to the learner. The learner emits the first step in the behavior chain, and the instructor completes the rest of the sequence.
Once the learner meets mastery criteria for the first step in the sequence, they are taught to complete the first two steps and the instructor completes the remaining steps. This pattern is continued until the entire sequence is performed independently by the learner.

Total Task Chaining

Total task chaining is a type of forward chain.
Each time the behavior sequence or complex task is presented, the instructor teaches every step in the sequence. This gives the learner an opportunity to practice each step, every time.

Backward Chaining

Opposite to forward chaining, backward chaining is characterized by the instructor performing all steps in the sequence, except for the last step. The final step of the sequence is emitted by the learner.
Once the learner meets mastery criteria for the final step in the sequence, the instructor completes all but the final two steps in the sequence, this is completed by the learner. This pattern is continued until the entire sequence is performed independently by the learner.

Chaining with Leaps Ahead

While some learners need focused teaching on each step in the chain, other learners have some steps in their repertoire. While the instructor is teaching individual steps, some teaching steps can be skipped to increase the efficiency of teaching the complex behavior.

Chaining with a Limited Hold

Some activities must be completed within a specified time interval for reinforcement to be delivered. This procedure can be used to increase the efficiency of the learner performing the sequence.

Example: eating ice cream before it melts.

Behavior Chain Interruption Strategy

After a behavior chain is taught and the learner can independently complete all parts of the sequence, occasionally an interruption strategy is implemented. There are times when interruptions happen while people complete their tasks. During BCIS we can add interruptions to gauge if a learner can pick up the sequence where they left off and can complete the remaining steps.

Example: while putting away laundry the phone rings interrupting the chore. Once the phone call has ended, finish putting away the laundry.

Chaining can be used with shaping procedures for some sequences of behavior.

Choosing a Chaining Procedure

With so many different types of chaining procedures to choose from, how do you know which is the best selection for the skill and learner?

When it comes to skill acquisition, backward chaining is typically used. This way the learner reaches reinforcement immediately upon completing the step.

Example:

Backward chaining with tying shoelaces. The instructor completes all the steps, until the last step. When the learner completes the last step (pulling the bows so the knot is tightened) reinforcement is immediately presented – we can go outside to play!

When it comes to desensitization, forward chaining is typically used. This way the learner can build on skills in their repertoire and what they are comfortable with.

Example:

Forward chaining with visiting the doctor. The learner only needs to complete the first step in the chain (walk into the waiting room). Once the first step is independently completed to mastery, the first two steps are worked on – walk into the waiting room AND give your name to the receptionist.

The expectation is NOT for the learner to have to go to the doctor’s office, wait, and sit on the examination table while the skills are not yet in their repertoire and the expectations are unknown.

Here is an example of how chaining can be used to teach tolerating haircuts!

The Role of Reinforcement

The completion of the behavior chain should provide reinforcement for the person engaging in the behavior chain – typing shoelaces is reinforced by going to play outside, eating cookies before your sibling comes home so you have more for yourself (limited hold), dialing a phone number so you can chat with your best friend, etc.

In a behavior chain, each step is an SD for the next step in the sequence, and an SR+ for the previous step.

In which chaining procedure is the behavioral chain completed in every trial by the learner from beginning to end?

What is the behavioral procedure called that involves the use of instructions modeling rehearsal?

What is the behavioral procedure called that involves the use of instructions modeling rehearsal and feedback group of answer choices?

Which of the following is a component of behavioral skills training procedure?