What’s the Difference Between Shaping and Chaining in ABA?

Shaping and chaining are two important teaching strategies in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), but they work in different ways.

Shaping involves teaching a new skill by reinforcing small steps that gradually get closer to the desired behavior. For example, if a child is learning to say “water,” you might first reinforce any vocal sound, then “wa,” and finally the full word. Shaping is great for skills that don’t yet exist in the child’s repertoire.

Chaining, on the other hand, is used to teach a complex skill made up of smaller steps. Each step is taught in sequence until the entire task is mastered. For example, brushing teeth can be taught step by step from picking up the toothbrush, applying toothpaste, brushing, to rinsing.

In short, shaping builds new behaviors, while chaining links existing steps into a complete skill. Both methods help children gain independence and confidence.

Want to see how ABA can help your child learn new skills? At Epic Minds Therapy, we use evidence-based techniques like shaping and chaining to support growth. 

Contact us today to learn more about our ABA services in North Carolina!

FAQs

What is the difference between shaping and chaining in ABA?

Shaping involves reinforcing small successive steps toward a target behavior, while chaining breaks a complex task into smaller, linked steps taught in sequence.

When would a therapist use shaping instead of chaining?

Shaping is used when teaching a new behavior that doesn’t have a clear sequence of steps, whereas chaining is ideal for multi‑step tasks like handwashing or toothbrushing.

Can shaping and chaining be used together?

Yes—sometimes shaping is used to teach individual steps within a chain when those steps are too difficult for the learner initially.

How do shaping and chaining help learners with autism?

Both techniques make learning complex skills more manageable by building competence gradually and reinforcing progress at each stage.

Are there examples of shaping and chaining in everyday routines?

Yes—shaping might be used to encourage clearer speech sounds, while chaining could be used to teach putting on shoes step by step.

SOURCES:

https://passthebigabaexam.com/dana-dos-clearing-up-the-confusion-over-shaping-and-chaining

https://psychcentral.com/pro/child-therapist/2020/02/shaping-chaining-task-analysis-with-an-example-from-everyday-life

https://www.bbbautism.com/aba_shaping_and_chaining.htm

https://knappcenter.org/Website/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Topic-4_Shaping-and-Chaining.pdf

https://unexpectedangles.weebly.com/fading-shaping-and-chaining.html