Use discrete trial methods
Using prompts to help students learn is an important element of
instruction for some students with autism. Prompts may be physical,
gestural, or verbal. They should only be used as long as they are needed,
as students can become dependent on prompts. When using the discrete
trial strategy, the instructor presents the stimulus for the desired
behaviour (gives the directions or instructions), and prompts the
student; the student responds, and then the instructor provides
consequences based on behavioural principles. The prompt is often
designed to model the desired behaviour or assist the student in
performing it. Here is an example of a discrete trial format: