Increasing compliance with medical procedures: application of the high-probability request procedure to a toddler.

One toddler had to get medical care. The child usually fought simple requests like "hold still."

The team tried the high-probability request sequence. They gave three to five easy instructions first. Then they asked the child to do the hard medical step.

They tracked how often the child followed each request.

The toddler said "yes" to the easy tasks almost every time.

After the quick wins, the child also obeyed the tough medical request more often.

Yuwiler et al. (1992) showed the same trick works for preschoolers with behavior disorders. Their gains even spread to new adults.

Hansen et al. (2019) later used the sequence to help a three-year-old with autism copy sounds. It moved the tool from medical rooms to skill building.

Fullana et al. (2007) looks like a clash. Only one of three preschoolers responded to the high-p sequence. The difference: they picked kids whose defiance was escape-based. When the function is escape, antecedent charm may fail and you may need extinction.

You can slide this quick warm-up into any tough moment. Run three tiny tasks the child already likes. Then give the hard direction.

Try it during blood draws, dental cleanings, or first-time haircuts. If it stalls, check why the child usually says no. Escape-maintained behavior may need a different plan.