What is essential for successful errorless learning?

Successful errorless learning is centered around the idea of minimizing mistakes during the acquisition of new skills or behaviors. This approach is particularly effective for individuals on the autism spectrum, as it helps build confidence and ensure a positive learning experience.

Prompt fading over time is critical because it allows the learner to initially receive high levels of assistance and guidance to avoid making mistakes. As the individual begins to show competence with the skill, prompts are gradually reduced. This process ensures that the learner maintains success while adjusting to more independent performance. By fading prompts, learners are less likely to experience frustration from errors, which can undermine their motivation and willingness to engage in the learning process.

This gradual removal of support encourages self-efficacy and reinforces correct responses without the stress of frequent mistakes, making the learning experience smoother and more effective. Thus, prompt fading is a foundational strategy in errorless learning, supporting the overall goal of skill acquisition with minimal errors.