Methodologies for Effective Treatment: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Overview of Discrete Trial Training (DTT)

Discrete trial training (DTT) is a one-to-one instructional approach used to teach skills in a planned, controlled, and systematic manner. DTT is used when a learner needs to learn a skill best taught in small repeated steps. Each trial or teaching opportunity has a definite beginning and end, thus the descriptor discrete trial. Within DTT, the use of antecedents and consequences is carefully planned and implemented. Positive praise and/or tangible rewards are used to reinforce desired skills or behaviors. Data collection is an important part of DTT and supports decision making by providing teachers/practitioners with information about beginning skill level, progress and challenges, skill acquisition and maintenance, and generalization of learned skills or behaviors.

Evidence

DTT meets the evidence-based practice criteria within the early childhood and elementary age groups for promoting the development of communication/language, adaptive behavior, cognitive/academic skills, social and play skills, and for reducing interfering behaviors.

With what ages is DTT?

DTT can be used to teach students from early childhood through elementary school at all ability levels. Due to the intensive and repetitive nature of DTT, there is more evidence for using DTT with younger children (i.e., 2 to 9 years of age).

What skills or intervention goals can be addressed by DTT?

DTT has been shown to have positive effects on children’s academic, cognitive, communication/language, social, and behavioral skills. DTT can also be used to teach attending, imitation, and symbolic play skills.

In what settings can DTT be effectively used?

DTT can be taught in home, school, or community settings. Because discrete trials are often carried out in an intensive and repetitive fashion, quiet areas with limited distractions are often used.