Prompt Hierarchy

Review of the Prompt Hierarchy for supporting children with ASD and ID.

1. PROMPT HIERARCHY
SPECIAL EDUCATION DISTRICT OF LAKE COUNTY
JENNIFER PENZENIK

2. What is the Prompt Hierarchy?
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“ The prompt hierarchy is defined by the amount of
assistance/instruction that each prompt requires from the
teacher for the child to present a correct response.”
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•Evidence based intervention
•Systematic method of teaching students
•The main goal is independence

3. Natural or
Environmental
Set up environment so that student completes desired task

4. Position object in a way that a student is likely to take it
Position
•Consider access method for child
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•Consider if child is left or right handed (put in middle)
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•Consider if the child throws items or is in crisis
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•Consider if the item itself is easily accessible e.g., coat/jacket

5. Gesture
Point or use another gesture that will direct student

6. Object
Place a needed object near student to encourage
them to complete the task

7. Student refers to icons/symbols, pictures or visual
schedules to complete desired task
Visual

8. Indirect Verbal
Give student hints as to what they are supposed to do
Oh, What’s next?
Yum, something
smells good.
It looks like
you dropped
something.
I can’t
understand
you…
Oh my,
it is so cold out
today.

9. Direct Verbal
Full verbal instructions
Please check your schedule.
Please stand up and walk.
Please pick up and throw away.
I need that, thank you.
If you ask a student if they want to do something, they have the right to say no!

10. Partial Physical
Light physical touch or direction
to encourage student to finish the task

11. Full Physical
Full hand-over-hand or hand-under-hand support

12. Natural or
Environmental
Set up environment so that student completes desired task
Position object in a way that a student is likely to take it
Position
Gesture
Point or use another gesture that will direct student
Object
Place a needed object near student to encourage
them to complete the task
Student refers to icons/symbols, pictures or visual
schedules to complete desired task
Visual
Indirect Verbal
Give student hints as to what they are supposed to do
Direct Verbal
Full verbal instructions
Partial Physical
Light physical touch or direction
to encourage student to finish the task
Full Physical
Full hand-over-hand or hand-under-hand support
Most Restrictive
Least Restrictive

13. Prompt Hierarchy Activity
•Pick a partner
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•Choose a scenario
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•Fill out a blank hierarchy with ideas for the scenario
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•Share out with the group

14. Prompt Hierarchy Take-Aways
•This doesn’t come naturally, it takes practice
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•Some students may begin further down on the hierarchy
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•Our ultimate goal is always independence
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•Our bodies are an extension of one’s self
Teaching is always our main focus, let’s teach children how
to complete the tasks we require of them