In ABA therapy, shaping and chaining are both powerful strategies used to teach children new skills, but they are applied in different ways.
Shaping is the process of reinforcing small steps that gradually build toward a desired behavior. For example, if a child is learning to say the word “juice,” a therapist might first reward any attempt to vocalize, then closer sounds like “ju,” and finally the full word “juice.” Shaping is helpful when a skill does not yet exist and needs to be developed step by step.
Chaining, on the other hand, is used to teach a sequence of behaviors that make up a complete task. The skill is broken down into smaller parts, and each step is taught in order until the whole routine is mastered. For instance, brushing teeth can be broken into picking up the toothbrush, applying toothpaste, brushing, rinsing, and putting everything away. ABA therapists link these steps together so the child learns the full sequence.
In short, Shaping builds a single new behavior, while chaining teaches a series of connected behaviors.
At Blossom ABA Therapy, we use evidence-based ABA methods like shaping and chaining to help children learn practical skills with confidence.
Contact us today to see how our personalized ABA therapy across Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia can support your child’s growth.
SOURCES:
https://psychcentral.com/pro/child-therapist/2020/02/shaping-chaining-task-analysis-with-an-example-from-everyday-life
https://www.scribd.com/document/398725653/shaping-and-chaining
https://knappcenter.org/Website/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Topic-4_Shaping-and-Chaining.pdf
https://passthebigabaexam.com/dana-dos-clearing-up-the-confusion-over-shaping-and-chaining/
https://starautismsupport.com/using-shaping-and-chaining-teach-desirable-behaviors
