ABA simultaneous prompting uses an immediate controlling prompt after the teaching cue on every instructional trial. Because teaching trials are prompted, separate no-prompt probes assess whether the learner can respond independently. The plan should define the target, cue, prompt, response window, consequence, teaching dose, probe schedule, mastery rule, access supports, assent process, error review, and conditions for changing procedures.
Map the two trial types
Teaching trials pair the direction with a prompt intended to produce the correct response. Probe trials present the target opportunity without that teaching prompt. Keep their materials, timing, response definitions, and data labels explicit.
Use the research definition
A telehealth study describes simultaneous prompting as daily probes plus instructional trials in which the task direction is followed immediately by the controlling prompt. It also notes that acquisition cannot be judged from prompted teaching performance alone.
Keep individual fit visible
A three-child comparison found another prompting procedure more effective for the assigned two-choice tasks, while procedure preferences varied. A four-child study found acquisition under both daily and every-fourth-day probes for three participants, with one acquiring only under the latter schedule.
Protect rights and communication
The Ethics Code addresses client involvement, assent when applicable, assessment, risk, and evaluation. ASHA supports continuous AAC access. A controlling prompt should preserve communication, dignity, safety, and a usable withdrawal response.
A practical example
Iris receives six prompted teaching trials for identifying her bus card. The next day's independent probe has three opportunities, and she responds correctly in 2/3. The report calls teaching 6/6 prompted and probe performance 2/3 independent.
Questions families can use
What happens on teaching trials? Which prompt is controlling? When are unprompted probes run? What counts as independent? Can the person pause or decline? Which result changes the procedure?
Sources
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, BCBA Test Content Outline, 6th edition
- Mengi and colleagues, Simultaneous Prompting Delivered by Telehealth to Teach Young Children with Autism
- Leaf and colleagues, Comparison of Simultaneous Prompting and No-No Prompting in Two-Choice Discrimination Learning with Children with Autism
- Reichow and Wolery, Comparison of Everyday and Every-Fourth-Day Probe Sessions with the Simultaneous Prompting Procedure
- Akmanoglu and colleagues, Comparison of Simultaneous Prompting and Constant Time Delay Procedures in Teaching Children with Autism
- Tekin-Iftar and Olcay-Gul, Increasing Instructional Efficiency When Using Simultaneous Prompting Procedure in Teaching Academic Skills to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Augmentative and Alternative Communication
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