Rapid prompting method

Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) is an educational approach designed to aid individuals with autism and similar developmental disorders in communication and learning. It was developed by Soma Mukhopadhyay, a teacher and mother of a child with autism, in the late 20th century.

Overview

RPM uses a "teach-ask" paradigm for eliciting responses through intensive verbal, auditory, visual and tactile prompts. Mukhopadhyay's method emphasizes the importance of open-ended questioning to promote a more profound, analytical thought process. The technique is designed to help students (often non-verbal or minimally verbal) to express their understanding and knowledge by pointing to letters on a letterboard or typing on a keyboard.

Methodology

The Rapid Prompting Method involves a series of steps. Initially, the teacher presents educational lessons verbally, and then asks the student questions related to the lesson. The student responds by pointing to letters on a letterboard to spell out their answers. Over time, the student may progress to using a keyboard or other communication device. The method relies on the belief that the student's sensory system is intact and that they can process and understand information even if they cannot express it verbally.

Criticism and Controversy

While some parents and educators report success with RPM, it has been met with criticism and controversy within the scientific and educational communities. Critics argue that there is a lack of empirical evidence supporting its effectiveness. Some have also raised concerns about the potential for Facilitated Communication, a discredited technique in which a facilitator guides the hand of a non-verbal individual to spell out messages, to be mistakenly used in place of RPM.

See Also

• Autism
• Special Education
• Communication Disorders
• Facilitated Communication