Autism Therapy: Prompts for Restructuring Oral Phonetic Targets (PROMPT)

definition of Prompts for Restructuring Oral Phonetic Targets (PROMPT): The PROMPT© type of speech therapy focuses on the physical tasks that need to be working in order to speak words. The goal of this therapy is to connect motor movement of the mouth, face, and jaw with the motivation to speak. PROMPT© intervention is being used to help children with autism improve their language abilities.

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Naturalistic Observations of Elicited Expressive Communications of Children with Autism: An Analysis of Teacher Instructions
Autism, by Chiang, H. - M., published in 2009, summarized Aug 10, 2010

Verbal prompt and modeling may be useful in eliciting communication in low verbal and nonverbal students.

The purpose of this study was to collect data on how children with severe autism communicate in the classroom. The author found that even though the 32 students were non-verbal or had few words, they did communicate in the classroom. They did this rarely (about once every six minutes). The children with the most severe autism spoke the fewest words. Almost all of the teachers were able to prompt communication from the students.


Replacing Overt Verbal and Gestural Prompts with Unobtrusive Covert Tactile Prompting for Students with Autism
Behavior Research Methods, by Anson, HM, Todd JT, and Cassaretto KJ, published in 2008, summarized Dec 22, 2008

Vibrating pagers may be a good tool for prompting children to stay on-task in the classroom.

This study was designed to see if vibrating pagers could be used as a hidden prompt for on-task behavior in a first grade classroom. The authors found that the pager was a good prompt to help children with autism in a classroom setting. The pager was able to reduce the need for overt teacher prompting as required during applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy). The pager was also good because it allowed the prompt to be given even if the teacher was across the room from the child. The authors note that the study design used a "whole-interval recording procedure" which may not have allowed for a good count of the amount of problem behavior.


A Comparison of Flexible Prompt Fading and Constant Time Delay for Five Children with Autism
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Soluaga, D., Leaf JP, Taubman M., McEachin J., and Leaf R., published in 2008, summarized Dec 3, 2008

It may be helpful for teachers to slowly decrease prompting when working with students with autism who receive applied behavior analysis (ABA).

This study was designed to see which of two approaches (constant time delay or flexible prompt fading) work best when teaching skills to children with autism. The study had five elementary aged students who received at least 10 hours of ABA therapy per week. The study found that both approaches worked for the students, but that teachers preferred to use flexible prompt fading. The authors noted that they could not be certain that the teachers were doing each procedure the right way. The authors cautioned that future research should look to see which of these procedures might cause children to rely upon the prompt.


Reducing Rapid Eating in Teenagers with Autism: Use of a Pager Prompt
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, by Anglesea, MM, Hoch H., and Taylor BA, published in 2008, summarized Jul 25, 2008

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) may be used to teach children with autism to eat more slowly.

Rapid eating can be a problem with some people with disabilities. This study looked to see if pagers set to vibrate could prompt teenage boys with autism to eat more slowly. The length of eating time increased when and only when the boys used the pagers. The authors note that the pager is good because it can be carried easily and is not noticed by others. The study did not look at changes to other table manners while eating.


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St. Kitts/Nevis Federation Hopeful About Autism Early Intervention Center

Feb 8, 2012

The Ministry of Education on St. Kitts, with UNESCO funding, held an autism training workshop. For two days, preschool teachers, special education professionals, day care supervisors, and nurses learned about recognizing early signs of autism in children. The Principal at the Special Education Unit on Nevis, Mrs. Violet Clarke, hopes this education results in an early intervention center. “The centre will be set up as a demonstration environment to provide training for parents, nurses, preschool providers and teachers. Children will have the opportunity to be screened and receive intervention programmes designed by a multi professional team,” she explained. The focus therapies for the children will be speech and occupational therapies in order to best increase social and communication skills. Clarke hopes this goal will prompt different governmental and educational agencies to work together, sharing knowledge and funding.

Read original article: UNESCO Workshop on Nevis Draws Attention to Federation's Children with Autism


Rocky Mountain Autism Center Moves to Larger Facility

Nov 11, 2011

The Rocky Mountain Autism Center (RMAC) has moved to a new larger space in Lone Tree, CO. Dr. Pat Rydell, the director believes that children with autism can grow into socially integrated adults. RMAC focuses on increasing cognitive flexibility; they prompt kids to interact with each other and with the larger world outside the center. In addition to one-on-one therapy, RMAC includes the entire family in therapy and the center contains large rooms to accommodate family interaction. In addition, RMAC encourages families to continue therapy at home to achieve maximum results.

Read original article: Autism Center Opens in Lone Tree


Dubai Autism Center Trains Therapists in the PROMPT Technique

Jun 19, 2008

The Dubai Autism Center, assisted by the PROMPT Institute, recently trained its speech therapists in the PROMPT Technique. The Dubai Autism Center is focused on assessment and therapies to better serve children with autism in the UAE. The PROMPT Technique provides a "holistic , dynamic, multi-sensory assessment and interventions for individuals with speech production disorders." Over 20 therapists were trained during the 3-day workshop.

Read original article. 


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Looking for Evidence

Jun 12, 2007 by Anonymous

I have a six year old son that was diagnosed at age 20 months with Autism and at 3 years of age with Apraxia.  I am trying to find some research that would indicate what the optimal amount of speech therapy for an Apraxic/Autistic child might be.  Has anyone found at what point, additional speech therapy provides diminishing returns?  I am pushing for 2 hours a day, broken down into a 1 hour initial session that combines PROMPT with RDI, and then 3 additional 20 minute speech sessions.  Any thoughts?


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Please comment on Prompts for Restructuring Oral Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) or other autism therapy topics.

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    • Synonyms for Prompts for Restructuring Oral Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) include: PROMPT, PROMPT technique, Prompts for Restructuring Oral Phonetic Targets, PROMPT©
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