Resource Guide
QUICK STEP and PRE-LEARNING
A lack of readiness can be a sign that the individual is experiencing high cognitive load and executing functioning challenges.
Quick Step is used to reduce cognitive load demands.
1. Assess if there are factors that increase cognitive load:
- High volume of information.
- Complicated or multiple concepts.
- New information.
- High speed of information.
- Rapid shifts without transition from one topic to another.
- Strong emotional responses to information- “Hot” topics
- Strong emotional responses to the intervention
2a. Assess factors associated with the individual’s pre-existing challenges, like an intellectual disability, mental health diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder, or communication difficulties.
2b. Assess the individual’s current functioning during instruction.
3. Make adjustments such as:
- Using simple language.
- Presenting information slowly and clearly.
- Use visual aids.
- Use simple gestures (Thumbs-up and Thumbs-down).
- Going step-by-step and presenting one concept at a time.
- Engaging with “cool” versus “hot” topics/activities.
- Repeating concepts.
- Breaking concepts down into chunks.
- Orient to transitions.
- Model and demonstrate the skill.
- Practice the skill in real-life context.
4. Create a stronger rapport and 2-Way Street communication.
5. Use Validation Strategies:
- Read about Validation in the 1st Edition 2016 manual- pp. 183-184
- Read about Validation in the 2nd Edition 2026 manual- pp. 79-81
- E-Learning Course 2- Lessons 2a, 2b, and 2c.
6. Orient to the benefits of learning skills and the costs of not learning skills.
7. Use Pre-Learning teaching resources:
- Read about Pre-Learning in the 2nd Edition 2026 manual- pp. 104-105
- 2nd Edition Workbook Worked Examples and Worksheets
- Choose the best version for the individual: Elementary School worked examples (online resource) High School worked examples (online resource) and/or the Adult version (Workbook).
- Getting to Know Me- pp. 5-6
- Getting to Know My Feelings- pp. 8-9
- My Old-Me and My New-Me- pp 9-10
- My Goals- pp. 11-12
- Exploring My Goals- p. 14
- Exploring Target to Reach My Goals- pp. 15-16
- Sort goal cards: On the 2-Day Instructor’s Training page on the E-Learning dashboard.
