ABA Therapy
Backward chaining for autism is a teaching method used in ABA therapy to help a learner develop a multi-step skill starting with focused instruction on the final step. The therapist assists with earlier steps, the child completes the last step as independently as possible, and teaching gradually moves backward through the sequence.
This approach can be used for complex tasks such as getting dressed, washing hands, brushing teeth, completing household chores, and other daily living skills. The task itself is still performed from beginning to end. Only the order in which independent steps are taught moves backward.
Key Takeaways
- Backward chaining starts focused teaching with the final step of a multi-step task and gradually moves to each previous step.
- The task still follows its normal sequence. Backward chaining changes the order of instruction, not the physical order of the activity.
- ABA therapists use task analysis, prompts, reinforcement, and data collection to decide when to move to earlier steps and how much support each learner needs.
What Is Backward Chaining?
Backward chaining is a teaching method in which the learner first practices the final step of a behavior chain independently. The therapist completes or assists with earlier steps, then gradually shifts teaching to the previous step until the learner can complete the entire task with the appropriate level of independence.
Before backward chaining begins, the complex skill is usually divided into smaller components through task analysis.
The Indiana Resource Center for Autism explains that task analysis breaks a complex task into smaller sequential actions. With backward chaining, instruction begins with the last step, and the previous step is introduced after the final one is learned.Â
This distinction is important:
Task analysis identifies the steps. Backward chaining determines the order in which those steps receive focused teaching.
Nurturing Nests also discusses related structured strategies in its guide to ABA therapy techniques for autism.
How Does Backward Chaining Work?
A backward chaining program generally follows a logical progression:
- Complete a task analysis. Break the entire task into clear, manageable steps.
- Identify the final step. Determine what successful completion of the task looks like.
- Assist with earlier steps. The therapist helps the learner move through the beginning of the routine.
- Teach the final step. The learner practices completing the last step with the least support appropriate for their current ability.
- Move to the previous step. Once performance supports the change, teaching begins with the second-to-last step.
- Continue moving backward. Earlier steps are gradually added until the learner can perform the whole sequence.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Autism Spectrum Disorders Network similarly describes backward chaining as focused teaching that begins with the final part of the task while the instructor assists with earlier portions.
The therapist does not ask the child to perform the activity physically backward.
What Is an Example of Backward Chaining?
Putting on a coat provides a simple backward chaining example.
Suppose the task has already been divided into all the steps involved in putting the coat on. During early teaching, the therapist may assist the child with picking up the coat, finding the sleeves, placing both arms inside, and positioning it correctly.
The child then independently completes the final step, such as finishing the zipper or another last action appropriate to that coat.
Once the child reliably completes that ending, instruction moves to the previous step. The child then completes the second-to-last step followed by the already learned final step.
The process continues until the child can perform the entire task with less support.
Backward chaining can also be applied to:
- Washing hands
- Brushing teeth
- Getting dressed
- Tying shoelaces
- Preparing simple foods
- Packing belongings
- Household chores
- Other self-care routines
These practical applications make chaining especially relevant when a task includes several connected behaviors.
How Is Backward Chaining Used With Autistic Children?
Backward chaining may be used with autistic children when an individualized assessment shows that it fits the skill and learner.
Children with autism spectrum disorder can have very different learning styles, communication abilities, existing skills, and support needs. For this reason, the same task may require different numbers of steps, different prompts, or a different chaining method for different learners.
Indiana University’s autism resource emphasizes that task analyses should consider the person’s skill level, age, communication and processing abilities, and previous experience.
Backward chaining may be considered for daily living skills such as dressing, self-care, classroom routines, and household tasks. During in-home ABA therapy, these skills can also be practiced in the settings where children use them in everyday life.
Why Might an ABA Therapist Choose Backward Chaining?
A therapist may consider backward chaining when the learner’s assessment and data suggest that beginning focused instruction near the completed outcome is appropriate.
Factors can include:
- Whether the final step is already partly familiar
- Which individual steps currently require support
- The number and complexity of steps
- The learner’s current abilities
- The natural outcome at the end of the task
- Prompting needs
- Opportunities for reinforcement
- Progress shown through data collection
Completing the final step gives the learner direct contact with the completed outcome of the task. However, this does not mean backward chaining automatically builds confidence or works better for every autistic child.
The teaching method should match the learner rather than relying on a general assumption about autism.
What Is the Difference Between Forward and Backward Chaining?
The main difference is where focused teaching starts.
Forward Chaining
Forward chaining starts with the first step.
The learner masters the beginning of the sequence, then the next step is added. Teaching progresses toward the final step.
Backward Chaining
Backward chaining starts with the last step.
The therapist assists with earlier actions, the learner completes the ending, and focused teaching gradually works toward the beginning.
Research by Slocum and Tiger compared forward and backward chaining and found that children learned under both procedures. There was no consistent advantage for one method across all participants, which supports choosing the approach according to the learner and task rather than treating either method as universally better.
Nurturing Nests covers the broader relationship among these methods in its guide to ABA therapy methods.
How Is Backward Chaining Different From Total-Task Teaching?
Backward chaining gives focused independent practice to one part of the chain at a time, starting with the final step.
Total-task teaching allows the learner to practice the whole task during each teaching opportunity. The therapist provides support on individual steps where assistance is needed.
Indiana University’s guidance identifies forward chaining, backward chaining, and total-task teaching as different strategies for teaching a sequence after a task analysis has been developed.
A learner who can already perform several steps may respond differently to total-task teaching than someone who requires significant support throughout the sequence.
What Role Do Prompts and Data Play in Backward Chaining?
Prompts help a learner perform steps that are not yet independent.
Support may include:
- Verbal prompts
- Gestures
- Modeling
- Visual cues
- Other individualized assistance
As the learner progresses, therapists can gradually fade prompts when data show that less support is needed.
The Nebraska Autism Spectrum Disorders Network recommends tracking the level of prompting required for individual task steps. This allows therapists to see whether performance is becoming more independent instead of relying only on whether the final task was completed.
Data collection can also help determine when to move to a previous step or whether the task analysis needs adjustment.
Can Backward Chaining Support Independence?
Backward chaining can support progress toward greater independence with multi-step skills, but the outcome depends on the learner, task, instruction, practice, prompts, reinforcement, and other individual factors.
A child may first complete only the final step independently. Later, the child may complete the last two, three, or more steps with less assistance.
Over time, the goal may be successful completion of the entire task at the level of independence appropriate for that learner.
Skills can be practiced across home, therapy, school, and community settings. School-based ABA therapy can also provide opportunities to work on functional routines where those skills naturally occur.
Conclusion
Backward chaining in ABA teaches a multi-step skill by focusing first on the final step and gradually moving instruction toward earlier parts of the sequence. The task itself still occurs in its normal order. Task analysis, prompting, reinforcement, and data collection help therapists decide how much support is needed and when the learner is ready to work on the previous step. Backward chaining can be useful for daily living and functional skills when it matches the learner’s individual needs and performance.
At Nurturing Nests Therapy Center, Inc., we believe children benefit from ABA programs that reflect their individual strengths, needs, and learning styles. Our therapists in Los Angeles provide personalized support for communication, self-care, daily living skills, learning, and greater independence. If you are exploring ABA therapy for your child, contact us to learn more about individualized autism therapy and early intervention services for your family.
FAQs
What is an example of backwards chaining?
Putting on a coat is an example of backward chaining. The therapist may help with the earlier steps while the child independently completes the final action. Once that step is learned, teaching moves to the second-to-last step and continues backward until the child can complete the whole task.
Is ABA therapy good for autism?
ABA is one behavioral approach used with autistic people, but whether it is appropriate depends on the individual’s needs, goals, preferences, and quality of care. The CDC states that behavioral approaches have substantial evidence for addressing skills and behaviors associated with autism and identifies ABA as one commonly used behavioral treatment. Treatment decisions should still be individualized.
What is backward chaining?
Backward chaining is a teaching method where focused instruction starts with the final step of a multi-step task. The therapist assists with earlier actions, the learner practices the last step, and teaching gradually moves to each previous step until the whole sequence can be completed.
What is forward vs. backward chaining?
Forward chaining begins focused teaching with the first step and progresses toward the end of the task. Backward chaining begins with the final step and gradually moves toward earlier steps. Both methods teach the same complete sequence, but they differ in where independent instruction starts.
