5 Constant Time Delay
Definition: Use of a set delay, often in number of seconds, from a natural or contrived cue to begin a task or step to support accuracy and independence. This can be formatted as either a 0-second delay (i.e., no delay) or a specific timed delay (e.g., 5 second delay).
Rationale: Constant time delay can be used to support consistency in learning and supportive prompting. Zero-second delay is often used when a skill is new or when a student is prone to making quick mistakes as it provides support right away. Specific timed delays can be helpful in ensuring that the student has sufficient time to process the context and their response before receiving help. In addition, the time delay can ensure that the student doesn’t have to wait too long before receiving help if they get stuck.
Ways to Support Students:
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- Before deciding the time used for a delay it’s important to consider typical processing time required by the student in this and other related tasks.
- Often teachers progressively change the time of delay after the student shows increased success and independence.
- It’s important to share the plan for constant time delay across the educational team as well as the student’s family and other relevant supports for consistency.
- Sometimes constant time delay is used in conjunction with massed trials for repeated practice opportunities.
Case Study
Student: Grade 5 student
Content: Hand washing
Problem: The student is having trouble remembering to turn off the faucet after washing their hands.
Solution: After considering processing time, the teacher selects a 5 second delay. Once the student is finished washing their hands, the teacher waits for 5 seconds and then provides a prompt for the student to shut off the faucet.
Professional Resources:
- Stepwise instructions for using constant time delay from NPDC: https://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/sites/autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/files/TimeDelay_Steps_0.pdf
- Research article on teaching reading with constant time delay: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10071948/
- Time delay how to with examples from the Texan Education Agency: https://www.txautism.net/interventions/time-delay
- Detailed steps of constant time delay with relevant data collection sheets: https://registration.ocali.org/rms_event_sess_handout/5820_Handout.pdf
