Below is a general skill sequence for teaching imitation with two step actions.
The following skill sequence expands on previous imitation skill sequences in that adds an additional step to the original instruction. Learners will need to have demonstrated a history of imitation for single, common actions without prompts. This skill sequence lays the groundwork for the learner to engage in three step actions in listener responding.
How this skill area relates to your assessments!
This skill area aligns with various assessments and their respective domains, with milestone and domain codes provided for reference. Additionally, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Autism are included to help clinicians identify how this skill area potentially supports medical necessity in relation to the diagnosis.
VB-MAPP (Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program)
Motor Imitation, MI 5-M, Imitates 20 motor movements of any type (e.g., fine motor, gross motor, imitation with objects)
Motor Imitation, MI 7-M, Imitates 20 different fine motor actions when prompted, Do this (e.g., wiggling fingers, pinching, making a fist, making a butterfly)
Workplace Safety, WS30, Performs variety of gross motor or whole-body tasks
Workplace Safety, WS31, Performs variety of fine motor tasks
DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
A2, Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, ranging, for example, from poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication; to abnormalities in eye contact and body language or deficits in understanding and use of gestures; to a total lack of facial expressions and nonverbal communication.
CDC’s Developmental Milestones
18 months, Cognitive Milestones, Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
Treatment Plan Goal Ideas
Treatment plan goal ideas for this particular skill area are as follows:
Learner will imitate 5 different two-step actions when modeled by another person.
Learner will imitate 10 different two-step actions when modeled my another person.
Learner will imitate 25 different two-step actions or similar when modeled by another person.
Component Skills
Your learner may need to be fluent in these component skills first before introducing this goal/skill area. Component skills for this skill sequence may include skill areas that are fundamental to other areas. Fluency in the skill areas listed below may increase the likelihood that your learner will succeed in this skill sequence and those afterward.
Below is a possible skill sequence for working on increasing your learner’s ability to imitate 2 step actions. Note that every learner is different and that you likely will need to tweak and vary some programming to their needs. Click the triangle icon to view the full description for each skill in the sequence/area.
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#1 ImitatesJump-Clap
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model one jump and one clap
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#2 ImitatesJump-Spin
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model one jump and one spin.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#3 ImitatesJump-Arms Up
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model one jump and then put your arms in the air.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#4 ImitatesClap-Jump
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model one clap and one jumping action.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#5 ImitatesArms Up-Jump
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model putting your arms up and one jumping action.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#6 ImitatesSpin-Jump
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model spinning around and one jumping action.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#7 ImitatesSpin-Clap
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model spinning around and clapping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#8 ImitatesClap-Spin
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model clapping and then spinning around.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#9 ImitatesClap-Arms Up
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model clapping and then putting your arms in the air.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#10 ImitatesTouches Toes-Claps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching toes and then clapping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#11 ImitatesArms Up-Claps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model arms up and then clapping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#12 ImitatesTouches Head-Arms Up
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching head and then putting your arms up.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#13 ImitatesTouches Toes-Arms Up
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching toes and then put your arms in the air.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#14 ImitatesArms Up-Spin
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model putting arms up and then spinning around.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#15 ImitatesSpins-Stomps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model spinning around and then stomping your foot.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#16 Touches Head-Stomps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching your head and then stomping your feet.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#17 Spin-Arms Up
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model spinning and then putting your arms up.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#18 Stomps-Jumps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model stomping and then jumping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#19 Jumps-Stomps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model jumping and then stomping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#20 Stomps-Claps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model stomping and then clapping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#21 Claps-Stomps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model clapping and then stomping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#22 Stomps-Spins
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model stomping and then spinning.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#23 Touches Head-Spin
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching your head and then spinning around.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#24 Stomps-Arms Up
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model stomping and then putting your arms up.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#25 Touches Toes-Touches Head
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching your toes and then touching your head.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#26 Claps-Touches Toes
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model clapping and then touching your toes.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#27 Touches Toes-Spins
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching toes and then spinning.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#28 Touches Head-Claps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching your head and then clapping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#29 Jumps-Touches Toes
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model jumping and then touching your toes.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#30 Touches Toes-Jumps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching your toes and then jumping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#31 Jumps-Touches Head
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model jumping and then touching your head.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#32 Touches Head-Jumps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching your head and then jumping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#33 Claps-Touches Head
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model clapping and then touching your head.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#34 Spins-Touches Head
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model spinning around and then touching your head.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#35 Arms Up-Stomps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model putting your arms up and then stomping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#36 Touches Toes-Stomps
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching toes and then stomping.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#37 Touches Head-Touches Toes
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model touching head and then touching toes.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#38 Arms Up-Touches Toes
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model arms up and then touching toes.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
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#39 Stomps-Touches Toes
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Say “Do this!” and model stomping and then touching your toes.
Learner should imitate the 2 actions that you modeled in order.
Contingent on the correct response, reinforce the learner accordingly.
Additional Notes
Materials
Concurrent Skills
Working on these skills at the same time could help with goal mastery. Maybe your learner has mastered these skills already. Perhaps they are already listed as component skills above. That’s okay! Targeting other learning channels might help your learner.
These are the possible next steps for learners who have mastered, or are mastering, the skills listed above. Note that new skill areas may require fluency in other component skills not listed above. Also, you can introduce composite skill sequences prematurely to keep your learner progressing, as generativity may occur earlier than expected.
Elizabeth R. Lorah, Shawn P. Gilroy, Philip N. Hineline,
Acquisition of peer manding and listener responding in young children with autism,
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Volume 8, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 61-67,
ISSN 1750-9467,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2013.10.009.
Kaitlin G. Causin, Kristin M. Albert, Vincent J. Carbone, Emily J. Sweeney-Kerwin,
The role of joint control in teaching listener responding to children with autism and other developmental disabilities, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Volume 7, Issue 9, 2013, Pages 997-1011, ISSN 1750-9467,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2013.04.011.
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Disclaimer
Consistent with ethical obligations outlined by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), users acknowledge that goal selection/direction is the responsibility of the BCBA. Users understand that goals should be tailored to the learner while ultimately involving the input of clients/stakeholders. Users understand their ethical obligations to the client/stakeholder concerning the selection, implementation, design, and minimization of risk regarding behavior change interventions as outlined in BACB Code. As such, this skill sequence serves as a general framework for generating ideas around this particular skill area and not as an assessment or curriculum.
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