What is the essence of decreasing assistance in Most-to-Least prompting?

The essence of decreasing assistance in Most-to-Least prompting revolves around gradually easing the level of support provided to the learner as they start to perform a task independently. This method begins with the most intensive prompts, which may include physical assistance or verbal cues, and progressively reduces these supports as the individual shows improved skills and confidence in completing the task.

This approach is grounded in the principle of scaffolding, where initial guidance is crucial for learning new skills, but as the learner's competence grows, the educator or therapist systematically decreases the prompts. This progression not only fosters independence but also empowers learners to develop problem-solving abilities and self-efficacy. The goal is to instill confidence so that the individual can ultimately perform the task without any assistance.