Tell, Show, Help

Three-Step Prompting to Ensure Consistent Follow-Through

Tell, Show, Help—also known as 3-Step Prompting—gives BCBAs, special-education teachers, and parents a clear, repeatable routine for delivering instructions. By starting with a concise verbal cue (“Tell”), adding a quick model or gesture (“Show”), and finishing with hands-on assistance only if needed (“Help”), you maintain instructional clarity, reduce repetition, and build task independence for autistic and other neurodivergent learners.

Why use Tell, Show, Help?

• Higher compliance and faster task completion. Research on graduated prompting shows significant gains in correct responding when support is added systematically rather than all at once.
• Less prompt dependence over time. Fading from verbal to model to minimal physical help teaches learners to rely on the least intrusive cue needed, promoting long-term autonomy.
• Clear expectations that lower frustration. A predictable three-step sequence minimizes cognitive load, preventing misinterpretation and reducing challenging behavior during daily routines.