Chaining and TA

A task analysis is a process of breaking down a multi-step task into a sequence of steps, each step is then taught in a certain order to help the learner complete the task as a whole. This practice can be used in a variety of settings and can teach the learner skills ranging from self-help skills, communication skills, and academic skills. There are six essential steps for teaching a new skill using a task analysis. First, the instructor must choose a skill to teach. The instructor then breaks down the skill by completing the skill themselves and recording each step. The task should then be confirmed by having another individual practice the task analysis. Depending on the learner and the task, the skill can be taught in a backward chain, forward chain, or total task chain.

Chaining and task analysis are teaching procedures that help teach complex behaviors or sequences of behaviors, such as self-help skills, social skills, games and academic tasks

• Each step is taught and mastered and then chained together using backward or forward chaining. Watch the teachers in this autism teaching strategies video use chaining and task analysis to teach complex or multi-step behaviors/skills.

Four steps for chaining behaviors using a task analysis and fading prompts