Try First, Then Help
Try First, Then Help
One routine. One individualized plan.
Try first. Then add the least intrusive effective help.
A practical planning tool for BCBAs using least-to-most prompting when—and only when—it is clinically appropriate for the learner, skill, and context.
Use one structured place to select a workable routine, define the response, choose a brief response interval, arrange an individualized prompt sequence, notice assent or distress signals, and decide what to adjust next.
WHO IT IS FOR
BCBAs coaching caregivers around a skill already included in an individualized plan.
Clinicians who want a usable prompting worksheet without adopting a universal prompt ladder.
Teams that need a brief descriptive practice log that can survive real routines.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Individualized routine-selection and prompting-plan worksheet.
Space to define the opportunity, observable response, response interval, selected prompts, and fading or adjustment plan.
Brief practice log for the prompt used, learner response, whether support was accepted or declined, and the next adjustment.
Caregiver reflection prompts and clinical-use boundaries.
A quick-use reference page drawn directly from the approved guidance.
IMPORTANT CLINICAL BOUNDARY
This resource does not supply a universal prompt hierarchy, response interval, physical-prompt procedure, or treatment plan. Begin with more support when errors, delay, safety, distress, or learner history make independent responding inappropriate. Physical guidance belongs only in an individualized plan with appropriate training, consent and assent, safety procedures, and a fading plan.
USE AND PRIVACY
Adapt the language, examples, interval, prompts, and supports to the learner and family. Do not send identifiable client information to The Busy BCBA. Store completed forms only in the clinician’s authorized system.
LICENSE
One purchasing clinician may print or securely share individualized working copies with families they directly serve. Do not redistribute the unmodified resource, post it publicly, resell it, or share it across an organization. Organization use requires separate team-use terms.
DELIVERY AND SUPPORT
Secure digital download is delivered after purchase. Questions about access? Email lauren@thebusybcba.com.

