Errorless learning

Errorless learning covers a group of teaching methods that aim to cut down on mistakes while a child learns. The adult gives enough help up front, called a prompt, so your child answers correctly. A prompt can be words, a gesture or physical help. Then the help fades step by step, from the most help to the least, until your child does the skill alone. In practice, many people treat errorless learning and most-to-least prompting as the same thing.

Time delay is another version. The adult waits a moment before helping, then slowly makes that wait longer. Fading aims to avoid prompt dependence, which is when a child waits for help instead of trying. Error correction, where the adult corrects a mistake after it happens, is also common, and which approach fits your child is a call for your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Say your child is learning to point to the right picture when asked. In a therapy session, a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) might show the answer right away at first. On later tries, they might just gesture toward it, then wait a moment before helping, until your child points on their own. RBTs carry out these steps, and BCBAs choose and check them. Errorless learning aims to reduce mistakes, so it doesn't mean your child never makes any.

• How the help will fade: Ask your BCBA how prompts will be faded so your child doesn't come to depend on them.
• Which approach fits: Ask whether each goal uses errorless teaching or error correction, and why.
• What help looks like: Ask which kinds of prompts the team will use with your child, and how you'll know when they're fading.