Moving From Prompts to Independence
A major goal in ABA is for the client to respond to the natural cue, not the RBT's prompt. Stimulus control transfer is the process of shifting the control of a behavior from a prompt to the natural discriminative stimulus (SD). It allows the client to become independent.
How It Works
Imagine teaching a child to say "Apple." At first, you show the apple and say "Say apple" (verbal prompt). Eventually, you want them to say "Apple" just by seeing the fruit. You gradually fade the verbal prompt until the sight of the apple controls the response.
Techniques Examined
Common procedures include prompt fading (reducing the intrusiveness of the prompt) and prompt delay (waiting a few seconds before prompting). These ensure the learner doesn't become "prompt dependent."
Why It Matters
Without transfer, the client will only perform skills when you are helping them. True mastery happens when the behavior occurs in the natural environment without extra help.