What is The Pyramid Approach to Education?

The Pyramid Approach to Education is a unique teaching method that establishes effective learning environments for children and adults with autism or related developmental disabilities and severe learning impairments. Created by Dr. Andrew Bondy, this system offers sound principles for those who teach, whether in a classroom or at home.

The Pyramid Approach is based on two different types of learning elements: structural and instructional. Through the use of applied behavior analysis, this method provides the foundation for a positive environment for growth. Structural elements focus on functional activities and communication, powerful reinforcers, and behavior intervention plans. These elements form the base of the Pyramid Approach, creating the necessary positive setting that will foster learning. Instructional elements include lesson formats, prompt strategies, error correction strategies (uniquely developed and suited to specific prompting strategies), and generalization. All elements involve data-based decision making. When all of the elements of the educational pyramid are combined, this system results in success in a broad array of settings.

Dr. Bondy developed this system of teaching after years of working with children and adults with autism and related developmental disabilities. It is a very systematic program that allows educators to individualize each child's learning environment to reach maximum benefits. It is one of the few approaches that encourage creativity and innovation on the teacher's part, and utilizes a broad spectrum of behavior analysis principles. The Pyramid offers a unique blend of applied behavior analysis and an emphasis upon the development of functional communication skills, regardless of communication modality. The Pyramid emphasizes how to teach, rather than simply what to teach.