What does prompt fading refer to in behavior teaching?

Prompt fading is a technique used in behavior teaching that involves the gradual removal of prompts as the individual begins to demonstrate the desired behavior independently. This process allows learners to rely less on external cues and prompts over time, promoting greater autonomy and the ability to perform the behavior in different contexts without assistance.

In this approach, prompts might initially be used frequently to help the learner understand what is expected. As the individual starts to engage with the behavior successfully, prompts are slightly decreased, making them less intrusive. This can involve reducing the intensity of a prompt or the frequency with which it is provided. The goal is for the learner to attain mastery of the behavior without needing prompts, which signifies that they have internalized the skill.

The other choices relate to different concepts in prompting and teaching. The gradual increase of prompts does not align with the concept of fading, since fading specifically focuses on reducing prompts rather than increasing them. The immediate removal of all prompts would potentially overwhelm a learner who has not yet mastered the behavior, risking frustration or failure. Lastly, the use of prompts that are always present contradicts the very principle of fading, as it indicates that a learner is consistently dependent on external cues rather than becoming independent in their behavior.