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Progressive Time Delay

In the following example, Ben needs to learn to play purposefully with toys when given verbal help. Ben's parents have taught his brother, Kade, to use progressive time delay. Ben's current need for help is full physical help. Since Ben is typically slow to respond when given an instruction, his parents chose three second increases in progressive time delay. That is, Kade will provide seven teaching opportunities at the zero second delay (for errorless learning), three teaching opportunities at the three second delay, and because Ben had begun to respond correctly before help was given, move to a six second delay. He will provide as many teaching opportunities at the six-second delay as Ben needs to perform the task independently. Six seconds was chosen as the final delay because Ben's parents believed from observing Ben that he could respond to the natural cue in six seconds.

Progressive Time Delay - Part One

Skill: Ben needs to learn to Play Purposefully with Toys.
His brother says, "Ben, push the car." (The car is the natural cue-children move or manipulate toys)
Kade does not delay, but immediately provides full physical help to Ben.
The result is that Ben pushes the car.
The natural reward is that Ben sees the car rolling and hears sounds.

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Progressive Time Delay - Part Two

Skill: Ben needs to learn to Play Purposefully with Toys.
His brother says, "Ben, push the car" (the natural cue).
His brother waits 3 seconds then he gives Ben full physical help.
The result is that Ben pushes the car.
The natural reward is that Ben sees the car rolling and hears the sounds.

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Progressive Time Delay - Part Three

Skill: Ben needs to learn to Play Purposefully with Toys.
His brother says, "Ben, push the car" (the natural cue).
His brother waits 6 seconds.
Before 6 seconds is up, Ben pushes the car on his own, so Kade does not provide any help.
The natural reward is Kade's attention and Ben's getting to see the car roll down the ramp.

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