Grey Matters: Chaining

Grey Matters: Chaining

Chaining is a method of teaching a new multi-step or complex skill involving several small behaviours linked together to accomplish a final goal. Two commonly used methods of behaviour chaining are backward chaining and forward chaining.

When teaching a new skill or behaviour using chaining, a task analysis is created that identifies all the steps required to complete the task. The task analysis may include written words, picture symbols or photos and must be individualized for the learner.

When using a task analysis, it is important that everyone perform the steps of the task the same way.

Toothbrushing Task Analysis

1. Pick up toothbrush in non-dominant hand.
2. Pick up toothpaste in dominant hand.
3. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto the toothbrush.
4. Put the toothpaste down on the counter.
5. Wet toothbrush
6. Put toothbrush in mouth and press the “on” button.
7. Begin brushing teeth by:
   1. Brushing the inside and outside of the teeth on the top left until the brush pulses
   2. Brushing the inside and outside of the teeth on the bottom left until the brush pulses.
   3. Brushing the inside and outside of the teeth on the top right until the brush pulses
   4. Brushing the inside and outside of the teeth on the top left until the brush turns off
8.  Spit toothpaste into the sink.
9. Rinse the toothbrush under the faucet.
10. Rinse the toothpaste out of the sink.
11. Shake water off the toothbrush.
12. Place toothbrush on charger.

Forward Chaining

Forward chaining is a method of teaching a new behaviour that begins with having the learner complete the first step identified in the task analysis independently and then prompting all of the remaining steps before providing reinforcement.

Using the example above for toothbrushing, the learner would be taken into the bathroom and asked to brush their teeth; after they pick up the toothbrush in their non-dominant hand, they would receive reinforcement (e.g., great job picking up your toothbrush) and the other 11 steps identified in the task analysis would be prompted.

After the learner has been successful in completing the first step (e.g., independent responses across 90% of opportunities over five consecutive sessions), they would be expected to complete steps 1 and 2 independently before receiving reinforcement. All steps of the task analysis would be added to the behaviour chain following this procedure.

Backward Chaining

Backward chaining is a method of teaching a new behaviour in which the staff completes all the steps identified in the task analysis except for the last behaviour in the sequence which is completed by the learner before they are provided with reinforcement (Cooper et al., 2020).

Using the task analysis below to teach an individual to brush their teeth, a support staff would take the learner into the bathroom, ask them to brush their teeth, prompt the learner to complete steps 1-11 and then the learner would complete the final step of putting the toothbrush back on the charger independently.

After the learner has been successful in completing the last step (e.g., independent responses across 90% of opportunities over five consecutive sessions), they would be expected to complete steps 11 and 12 independently before receiving reinforcement. All steps of the task analysis would be added to the behaviour chain following this procedure.

Kayla Mellies
Support Approach Consultant

References

Cooper J. O., Heron T. E., & Heward W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.