In conjunction with my last post on task analysis, chaining is one of the methods to teach skills that require a task analysis, multi-step skills (i.e. washing hands, brushing teeth, folding clothes, etc.)
There are 3 types of chaining. This would be 1) total task chaining, 2) forward chaining, and 3) backward chaining.
Total Task Chaining
This looks at teaching the whole process, prompting each step as needed. Looking at washing hands, this implies that the therapist/parent would look at giving the client opportunities to practise each step independently and prompt the client through the steps they require more help with.
Forward Chaining
This looks at teaching only the FIRST step of the process and prompting the client through the rest of the steps without giving the client the opportunity to do the step independently. The SECOND step is taught only when the first step can be done by the client independently. This cycle repeats until all steps are taught in order of the first step to the last step, moving only when the previous step has been mastered.
Backward Chaining
Using simple terms, this would be the reverse of forward chaining. Backward chaining looks at teaching only the LAST step of the process. The client is prompted through the first step to the second last step without giving the client the opportunity to do the step independently. The last step is taught. When the last step can be done by the client independently, the second last step is worked on. This cycle repeats until all steps are taught starting from the back.
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I have attached a picture to aid your understanding with regards to forward and backward chaining. Forward chaining is represented by the blue arrow whilst backward chaining is represented by the black arrow.
Hope you have learnt and understood more about chaining procedures! Let me know what you think in the comments below :)
Behavior Bubbles 