Glossary of Terms

Terms used in this site:

We have tried to write the sections of this site as clearly as possible, but there are some terms that may need a little more explanation. If there's anything that you need clarification of, please contact us.

Reinforcers:
Any item or toy used that results in positive behaviour, and that encourages further positive attempts occurring in the future. Examples: Blowing bubbles when a child completes a task will encourage future attempts to complete the task. Other reinforcers can be: stickers, toys, high fives, tickles - anything that the child enjoys. Food items are also used.

Labelling:
Looking at an item and being able to say the name for it - i.e. when asked 'What is it?'

Receptive Instructions:
This means - what a child understands of what we say. For example, if we put pictures of common objects on the table, and say 'Touch the spoon' - will the child select by touching the picture of a spoon.

Prompts:
A way of helping a child say a word or perform an action. This can be through; Saying the full word, showing a picture. A partial prompt can be saying the start of a word i.e. When showing a picture of a cup, say 'Cu..' and wait for a response. Prompts can also by physical.

Physical Prompt:
A way of helping a child perform an action by moving their hand to the item i.e: A physical prompt for 'Give' is to put the item into the child's hand, holding it in place, then motion it towards a person, saying 'Give'. Teaching sign language requires physical prompts to help shape the child's hands to form a required sign.

Fading Prompt:
When your child can label an item or fill in a word after you have prompted verbally, begin to fade the prompt to encourage independant vocalisations. You can do this by using just the start of a word: i.e. Prompt by saying 'Sh' when you show a picture of a shoe, or 'Cu' for cup. After that, fade the prompt further by waiting for a few seconds after showing the picture, to see if a verbal prompt is needed.