Teaching students with autism to tie a shoelace knot using video prompting and backward chaining

To evaluate the effects of video prompting and backward chaining for teaching students with autism to tie a shoelace knot.

Videos featuring an adult and a peer or sibling model were used as part of the video prompting procedures to teach three boys with autism to tie a shoelace knot. A backward chaining procedure involving live modelling and verbal instruction was introduced following the video prompting phases.

Although the video prompting interventions increased the number of steps in the shoelace tying task completed by each of the participants, the backward chaining procedure was more effective, enabling one participant to reach mastery and a second participant to approach mastery.

Practitioners should consider the pre-requisite skills of the participants and the nature of the target behaviour when selecting an intervention to teach daily living skills to individuals with autism.