True or False: When teaching a complex skill, you should always use verbal prompts.

Using verbal prompts exclusively when teaching a complex skill is not always the best approach. While verbal prompts can be effective in providing guidance, they are just one of many strategies that can be employed to assist learners effectively. Teaching a complex skill often requires a combination of different prompting methods, including visual prompts, modeling, physical prompts, and environmental arrangements.

In many cases, learners may respond better to non-verbal strategies, particularly when working with individuals with autism or other developmental disorders. These learners might benefit from visual aids or demonstration rather than verbal instructions. Verbal prompts may also become less effective if used too frequently, as students can become reliant on them and be less likely to initiate the skill independently.

Furthermore, the individual's learning style, the complexity of the skill, and the context in which it is being taught all play crucial roles in determining the most effective prompting strategy. Therefore, stating that verbal prompts should always be used is misleading, since flexibility and adaptability are essential in behavior analysis and educational practices.