Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is a proven approach used to help individuals, who may have learning difficulties, develop social, communication, and other relevant skills. People mistakenly use the terms Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) interchangeably, leading to some confusion.
While ABA is the application of the science of behavior and thus encompasses multiple principles that inform various teaching methods, DTT is just one specific strategy within ABA programs that is often used to support children with autism.
What is DTT?
DTT is a structured approach within ABA that teaches skills using discrete trials and data collection that informs the teacher about how well and how quickly the individual is learning the skill. For instance, a therapist might focus learning colors or reading sight words.
With discrete trials, success can be immediately rewarded with reinforcement, motivating the child to keep learning and progressing, or reinforcement can be provided on a schedule.
DTT is particularly effective for building confidence in children who face challenges with developmental skills, especially those with more pronounced autism symptoms.
It can also be a helpful alternative when other methods aren’t successful in teaching a new behavior.
While DTT is most commonly used with children aged 2 to 6 on the autism spectrum, it can be adapted for individuals of any age.
Key Components of Discrete Trial Training
Discrete Trial Training (DTT) follows a structured process of five steps designed to help children develop skills step by step. Each step involves giving the child simple, clear instructions, making it easier to understand and follow.
- Discriminative Stimulus: This step sets the base for the task. The teacher provides a clear, concise instruction or question to gain the child’s attention and minimize confusion.
- Prompt: The teacher may demonstrate the desired behavior or response, giving the child a clear example to follow. This guidance helps the child learn the correct way to respond.
- Child Response: The child is given the chance to respond to the stimulus. Their response will be either correct or incorrect, guiding how the session proceeds.
- Consequence of Response: If the child responds correctly, they are immediately rewarded with positive reinforcement, such as praise, a small prize, or a favorite treat. Rewards are often discussed in advance to motivate the child. For incorrect responses, the teacher provides a neutral correction without criticism or punishment.
Intertrial Interval: This is the short pause, usually around five seconds, between one trial and the next. This brief interval helps maintain the flow of the session.
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By specifically focusing on the skill that is being taught and presenting multiple examples of the stimuli, DTT helps children build skills incrementally, paving the way for consistent learning and progress.
How Does DTT Support Skill Development in Autism?
DTT is a structured method within ABA that focuses on teaching skills in small, manageable steps, or "discrete" tasks. The trainer introduces each skill individually and reinforces positive responses with tangible rewards, such as a treat or a small toy, to encourage learning.
For instance, when teaching colors, a trainer might start with just one color, like black. They would ask the child to identify black and then reward the correct response. Once the child masters black, the trainer might introduce yellow, reinforcing that skill as well.
Over time, the child would be asked to identify both colors together. Once the child has learned to recognize all the colors, the trainer may then focus on teaching them to say the name of each color.
DTT is highly effective in helping children with autism develop new skills and, when combined with approaches like Verbal Behavior Therapy (VBT), it can further enhance communication abilities, with extensive research supporting its success as one of the earliest methods developed for autism.
Discrete Trial Training vs. Natural Environment Teaching
Discrete Trial Training and Natural Environment Teaching are both valuable techniques in ABA therapy, but they operate quite differently. DTT is more structured and typically takes place in controlled environments, focusing on specific skills and repetition.
NET, on the other hand, happens in natural settings and integrates learning into everyday activities. This approach is more flexible, allowing the child to learn in the context of their daily routines and experiences. Here's a table showing how they differ:
Benefits of Discrete Trial Training in ABA Therapy
DTT is a powerful tool that offers numerous benefits to therapists and caregivers working with autistic individuals:
- DTT creates a consistent and predictable format, which is especially helpful for individuals with autism. This structure reduces confusion and anxiety, enabling learners to focus more effectively on their tasks.
- This method may break complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps, making it easier to address specific skills that need improvement. It ensures focused and gradual skill-building as per the learner's needs.
- Because DTT is systematic, progress can be tracked and measured easily. The process incorporates data collection, offering clear evidence of how the learner is advancing over time.
- Immediate rewards and positive reinforcement keep learners engaged and motivated. By providing consistent feedback, DTT encourages active participation and reinforces desired behaviors.
- DTT is highly versatile and is therefore applicable to a wide range of skills, from simple communication to more advanced academic tasks. It can be personalized to suit the learner’s unique needs and learning style.
- When implemented correctly, DTT helps learners eventually apply newly acquired skills in real-world settings, supporting greater independence and adaptability.
Skills Taught Through Discrete Trial Training
DTT is a straightforward and effective way to teach new skills with repetition and immediate feedback. This helps children to learn at their own pace, making progress easy to track.
By offering structure and consistency, DTT creates an environment where children can feel confident and motivated to succeed. Here’s how it helps in different areas:
The Bottom Line
DTT is a structured and effective strategy within ABA therapy, particularly for children with autism. By using repetition and focus, providing immediate reinforcement, and promoting skill generalization with multiple examples, DTT helps build confidence, foster independence, and track progress. Its adaptability and proven success make it an essential tool for teaching a wide range of developmental and social skills.
