Shaping is a method used by behaviour therapists to teach new behaviours gradually by reinforcing small steps toward a final goal. It is particularly useful for children who feel overwhelmed by complex tasks or who require scaffolding to build confidence.
For example, if a child is learning to say “hello” to peers but currently avoids social interaction, shaping might start with reinforcing eye contact, then waving, then mouthing the word, and finally saying “hello” aloud. Each step is reinforced until the child is ready to move to the next one.
This approach is gentle, adaptable, and suitable for NDIS goals around social skills, communication, independence, and adaptive behaviours. Shaping is commonly used in both early intervention and school-age therapy programs.
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