Autism - Backward chaining

To complete the task of going to the local shop, it might look like:

1. Walk to the shop
2. Choose items
3. Pay for items
4. Walk home from shop

Below is an example of how you might backward chain this task. Remember, do not rush. Make sure they are confident completing each stage independently before moving on to a new step.

1. Start by completing the whole task with the person

2. Introduce some independence.

1. Walk to shop with them
2. Choose items with them
3. Pay with them
4. Walk almost all the way home together. Stay back the last few steps/yards/street and let them continue walking the rest of the way home on their own.

3. When they are confident with step 2. Introduce more independence.

1. Walk to shop with them
2. Choose items with them
3. Pay with them
4. Walk half the way home with them.  Let them continue walking the rest of the way home on their own (follow at a distance if needed).

4. When they are confident with step 3. Introduce more independence.

1. Walk to shop with them
2. Choose items with them
3. Pay with them
4. They walk home independently (follow at a distance if needed).

5. When they are confident with step 4. Introduce more independence. Remember: each stage may take days, weeks or longer!

1. Walk to shop with them
2. Choose items with them
3. Observe closely whilst the person pays independently
4. They walk home independently (follow at a distance if needed).

6.  When they are confident with step 5. Introduce more independence.

1. Walk to shop with them
2. Choose items with them
3. Wait outside of the shop whilst the person pays independently
4. They walk home independently (follow at a distance if needed).

7. When they are confident with step 6. Introduce more independence.

1. Walk to shop with them
2. Wait nearby while the person chooses items
3. Wait outside of the shop whilst the person pays independently
4. They walk home independently (follow at a distance if needed).

8. When they are confident with step 7. Introduce more independence.

1. Walk to shop with them
2. Wait outside of the shop whilst the person chooses and pays independently
3. They walk home independently (follow at a distance if needed).

9.  When they are confident with step 8. Introduce more independence.

1. Walk with them part way to the shop (gradually decrease the distance you walk with them). 
2. Wait outside of the shop whilst the person chooses and pays independently
3. They walk home independently

10.  Person goes independently to and from the shop

To complete the task of washing the steps would look like:

1. Wet hair.
2. Put on the shampoo
3. Lather shampoo.
4. Rinse hair.

To backward chain you would complete the task by:

1. Start by completing the whole task with the person.

2. Introduce some independence.

1. 1.  Wet hair for the person
   2. Put on the shampoo for them.
   3. Lather shampoo for them.
   4. Rinse the top part of their hair.  They rinse the back of her hair. 

3. Increase independence.

1. 1. Wet hair for the person.
   2. Put on the shampoo for them.
   3. Lather shampoo for them.
   4. They rinse all their hair.

4. When they are confident with step 3. Introduce more independence.

1. 1. Wet hair for them.
   2. Put on the shampoo for them.
   3. They lather shampoo.
   4. They rinse all their hair.

5. When they are confident with step 4. Introduce more independence.

1. 1. Wet hair for them.
   2. They put on the shampoo.
   3. They lather shampoo.
   4. They rinse all their hair.

6. Person washes hair independently 

1. 1. They wet their hair.
   2. They put on the shampoo
   3. They lather shampoo.
   4. They rinse all their hair.