Requests with a Point

Goal: When presented with something that the student wants, the student will point to the preferred item.

Instructional Procedure: Place preferred stimuli around the student, or offer the student the preferred stimuli. Do not say
anything. Wait for the student to initiate somehow that he/she wants the item (e.g., reaches for it, opens his/her mouth,
etc.). If the student points to the item, then immediately reinforce the request by giving him/her access to the preferred
stimuli. If the student does not point, provide a physical prompt and a verbal model of the word (e.g., “Cookie”). Repeat
the trial. When the student is first learning, reinforce the prompted trial with a smaller piece of the item (e.g., only a
cookie crumb). Then repeat the trial. Differentially reinforce responses demonstrated with the lowest level of prompting.

Teaching Steps:
1. Teach the student to straighten his/her index finger when a physical prompt is provided to hold down the rest of his
fingers.
2. Teach the student to straighten his/her index finger and hold down his/her fingers when provided with a faded
physical prompt.
3. Teach the student to point to a preferred item independently when it is held in the air.
4. Teach the student to point to the preferred item in the presence of a non-preferred item (i.e., makes a choice).
5. Teach the student to point to the preferred item in the presence of another preferred item (i.e., makes a choice).
6. Teach the student to point to a preferred item when the item is on the table, just out of reach (other items can be
present).
7. Teach the student to point to a preferred item on a shelf (other items can be present).
8. Teach the student to point to a preferred item in the presence of other items at various distances.

Suggested Teaching Strategies:

• Give the student access to the item once he/she has pointed to it.
• Use a physical prompt to prompt three fingers and the thumb into a fist with the index finger out.
• When the student is pointing to the item, sometimes have the point touch the item, and sometimes make the student
point into the air.
• Always say the name of the item as the student is pointing, as well as when the student has gained access to the item.
• Generalize/Teach pointing to items in a book.
• Vary the teaching items.

Mastery Criteria: 80% for two consecutive sessions

 Requests with a Point

Teaching Steps:
1. Teach the student to straighten his/her index finger when a physical prompt is provided to hold down the rest of his
fingers.
2. Teach the student to straighten his/her index finger and hold down his/her fingers when provided with a faded
physical prompt.
3. Teach the student to point to a preferred item independently when it is held in the air.
4. Teach the student to point to the preferred item in the presence of a non-preferred item (i.e., makes a choice).
5. Teach the student to point to the preferred item in the presence of another preferred item (i.e., makes a choice).
6. Teach the student to point to a preferred item when the item is on the table, just out of reach (other items can be
present).
7. Teach the student to point to a preferred item on a shelf (other items can be present).
8. Teach the student to point to a preferred item in the presence of other items at various distances.

Date/IT:

100
90
80
70
Percentage

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Teaching Step:
Trial 1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 4 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 6 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 7 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 8 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 9 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Trial 10 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Mastery Criteria: 80% for two consecutive sessions