Task analysis looks at breaking down a complex skill into smaller components. By teaching the smaller components step-by-step, this enables the learner to learn more easily.
Task analysis can be used in a variety of skills. This can be used to teach a learner how to wash their hands, fold clothes, tie their shoelaces, make a sandwich, bake, and much more! As there are different ways to do an activity while achieving the same outcome, it is important to individualise a task analysis according to the skills a learner, their home, or culture does things. By writing the steps down, this ensures that any one who teaches the learner will be following the same procedure.
A common question would be how do you write up a task analysis? This can be done a few ways:
1) Observe an experienced person conducting the task.
2) Do the task yourself.
2) Observe how the learner currently does the task.
3) Search for a task analysis online and adapt it.
Here are some examples of task analysis for common activities that can be adapted according to your learner
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Washing Hands
1) Turn on the tap
2) Wet both hands
3) Put soap on hands
4) Rub hands
5) Rinse hands
6) Turn off tap
7) Take tissue/ towel
8) Dry hands
9) Throw tissue/ return towel
*I have noted that some people would inverse step 2 and step 3 depending on their learning history. As such, it is important to see what the rest of the learner’s family does to ensure they are following through at home. Additionally, if the learner has severe Eczema, it could be a request by the family to just teach to wash without soap.
Making a Cheese Sandwich
1) Take a piece of bread
2) Take a slice of cheese
3) Remove cheese wrapper
4) Place cheese on on bread
5) Fold bread in half
*With this task analysis, it can be adapted to use 2 pieces of bread instead and can comprise of using cream cheese to spread instead of processed cheese, etc. dependent on the situation.
Brushing Teeth
1) Take cup and fill with water
2) Wet toothbrush
3) Open toothpaste, squeeze toothpaste on toothbrush, close toothpaste
4) Clench teeth (‘ee’)
5) Brush front of teeth
6) Open mouth
7) Brush bottom left/right molars
8) Brush top left/right molars
9) Take water, gargle, spit
10) Wash toothbrush and cup
11) Keep items
*Looking at the brushing teeth task analysis, this can be simplified or made more detailed according to the learner. Prerequisite steps/skills such as opening, squeezing, and closing/keeping the toothpaste can also be combined dependent on the skill of the learner. A cup can also be omitted and swapped to using their hands to cup the water to rinse their mouth instead. Should a learner has difficulty with the brushing process, the number of times each location should be brushed can also be added in (i.e. brush front of teeth left to right 6 times).
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Happy Teaching!
Behavior Bubbles 