9 Support Fading
Definition: Gradual release of supports in conjunction with student success to increase independence.
Rationale: Support fading is used to acknowledge student success and retain appropriate learning challenge and increase ability for student independence. Prompts can sometimes be used past their need. This strategy can help the student to take ownership of the skill as they increase in skill and confidence.
Ways to Support Students:
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- Ensure that you have a good idea of the student’s baseline performance (i.e., how well they can perform without help) in determining when to fade supports.
- Fade supports gradually to provide only needed support while allowing for the optimal level of student challenge for learning and growth.
- If supports are faded too quickly and the student is struggling too much, add more supports and fade later when the student increases their skills.
Case Study
Student: Grade 3 student
Content: Music class on finding the beat in a song
Problem: The student is having trouble clapping out the song rhythm with the class
Solution: The educational assistant taps the rhythm on the student’s shoulder to help them time their clapping accurately. As the student improves in their pacing, the assistant taps much lighter and then eventually gestures the beat with her finger. Soon after more student success, the assistant is able to cease prompts.
Professional Resources:
- Description of prompt fading and video explanation from Nebraska Autism spectrum disorders network: https://www.unl.edu/asdnetwork/virtual-strategies/fading
- How to guide on prompting fading for independence from the Virginia Department of Education: https://ttac.odu.edu/autism/prompts-and-prompt-fading-for-building-independence/
- Guide to prompt fading with examples and research summaries from the Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism: https://www.unl.edu/asdnetwork/downloads/virtual-strategies/Fading.pdf
Protocol and data sheets for support fading from PATTAN: https://www.pattan.net/assets/PaTTAN/94/947a180b-d790-4aa4-a4b5-1640c50bda6d.pdf
