Home » Autism Behavioral Solutions » What is Discrete Trial Training for Autism?

What is Discrete Trial Training for Autism?

December 28, 2023

Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is a structured and effective teaching method often used for individuals with autism. “But what makes DTT special?” you may be wondering. This training method breaks down skills into smaller steps, making them easier to learn for children on the spectrum.

We all know how difficult it can be for children with autism to conquer specific tasks at once. With DTT – they don’t have to!

If you’re interested in learning more about ABA therapy, which DTT is based on, you can download your free guide here:

Download your FREE guide on 

ABA Therapy for Autism

Principles of Discrete Trial Training for Autism

Discrete Trial Training for autism is an effective teaching method designed to help children with autism develop essential skills in a structured way.

Think of DTT as breaking down big skills into smaller, more doable steps. Thanks to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), this method tailors instructions to fit everyone’s needs.

DTT is a personalized approach to learning – making everyday tasks simpler and more manageable for kids and adults with autism. Here are its key components:

  • Discreteness: Each skill is taught in isolation before being integrated into a complete one.
  • Structure: Children are presented with clear and specific instructions, which are followed by a prompt or cue if needed. Responses are reinforced with positive feedback or a reward.
  • Repetition and Practice: Skills are practiced repeatedly until they’re mastered. It helps children use new skills in different settings.
  • Data Collection: The trainer tracks progress, identifies areas that need improvement, and adjusts the method accordingly.

Example of Discrete Trial Training at Home

One example of discrete trial training at home could be if your child wants to wash their hands independently. Without DTT, you may think it’s a mistake that they can’t do this simple task on their own.

However, with this special teaching method, we break down the handwashing tasks into smaller steps. With every step they learn, positive reinforcement is given.

Here’s what it would look like:

  • Step one: turn on the water
  • Step two: wet hands
  • Step three: pump soap into hands
  • Step four: rub hands together for twenty seconds
  • Step five: rinse hands
  • Step six: turn off the water
  • Step seven: dry hands

Throughout this process, we’d make notes of where the child needs help. For example, if a child can’t turn on the water on their own, that’s the step we should focus on first. The main goal here is to teach the child to do the whole handwashing routine all by themselves.

This may seem strange at first. After all, we have learned to do these skills without thinking about the steps that make up the whole process. But with discrete trial training, you celebrate your child’s milestones, which builds their confidence and eagerness to learn more.

Little girl learning to wash hands
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-discrete-trial-training/

There’s no denying it – DTT requires a lot of patience and practice. At times, it will be challenging and frustrating, and that’s completely okay. However, once you celebrate the small victories with your little one, you’ll see just how beautiful this process can be.

Example of Discrete Trial Training in a Classroom Setting

Can you use discrete trial training for autism in a classroom setting? Absolutely! An example of using DTT in the classroom would be a teacher helping a student who tends to forget to turn in work.

The idea is to break down the behavior into smaller steps, such as:

  • Step one: take out your notebook for the day
  • Step two: remove your homework from the notebook
  • Step three: place homework in the tray on the teacher’s desk

The teacher can use rewards to cheer on the student after each step to make the training more effective. With some time and patience, these steps will become a habit for the student.

Using Prompts for DTT in Children with Autism

Children with autism spectrum disorder may need more prompts to go through each step. According to a study published by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH), kids with autism often take language very literally. This can lead to some confusion and sometimes cause behavior challenges.

To better understand how DTT works, let’s go through each step using the example of a student who forgets to turn in their homework.


Special Offer

Don't miss out on our special offer.
Click here to find out more
`

Step 1: Taking out a notebook for the day

For a neurotypical kid in a math class, it’s probably clear to grab their math notebook. But for a child with autism, those social cues can be tricky, and they might struggle daily.

In that case, the teacher may need to help the student identify which notebook they’re referring to. It could lead to more behavior issues if they don’t understand what to do.

Step 2: Taking out the homework

While taking out math homework in a math class might be obvious, children with autism might need some prompting to find the right assignment.

Step 3: Putting the homework on the tray

Don’t be surprised if you have a student who tries to run out of the classroom to place the homework on a different teacher’s tray. When they heard that prompt, that could be the first thing that came to their mind.

The key to efficient discrete trial training for autism is understanding that teaching children on the spectrum means looking at things from a different perspective. Understanding this unique perspective can make you a better communicator and reduce negative behavior.

Involving the ABCs of Applied Behavior Analysis

Another aspect of discrete trial training is using the “ABCs of applied behavior analysis,” as ABA therapy calls it. But what does ABC stand for?

ABC stands for Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence. All behaviors, whether they’re positive or negative, can be applied to the ABC model.

  • Antecedent: Also known as the prompt. It is what happened right before a behavior. It could be something someone said or did. It could even be something in the environment that you can’t control. This is the reason why the behavior happens.
  • Behavior: What the child does in response to an antecedent in a discrete trial. It’s the action they take.
  • Consequence: What comes after the behavior. This could be positive or negative, depending on the specific discrete trial training program you use to shape or change behavior.

Examples of ABC

So, what are the examples of ABC? Let’s break it down and see how this model works in different situations.

  • Positive Consequences:

Antecedent: It’s a cold day, and the individual stands outside feeling cold.

Behavior: The person moves inside to get warm.

Consequence: The individual feels warm and comfortable after taking shelter from the cold outside.

  • Negative Consequences:

Antecedent: A mom tells her child to clean up their toys.

Behavior: The child gets angry and starts throwing toys.

Consequence: The child loses access to the toys or has to sit in time-out.

As you can see, by using reinforcement and rewards in ABA programs and discrete trial training, you can guide your child to develop more positive behaviors and responses.

Using Different Types of Prompts

Depending on the teacher’s or therapist’s teaching method, prompts in discrete trial training can vary. They can be divided into three types: full gestural prompt, partial gestural prompt, or no prompt at all.

Full Gestural Prompt

A full gestural prompt refers to teaching the correct response by using errorless training.

Example: If you wanted to teach the child to touch the red flashcard, you would say: “Touch red.” After that, you would reach out to touch the red flashcard to model the behavior and response you want the child to learn.

Partial Gestural Prompt

A partial gestural prompt is used when the number of correct responses increases through trial training.

Example: The teacher says, “Touch red,” and then partially gestures toward the correct response. In this case, the child is the one to select the correct answer.

No Prompting

No prompting is the last stage when it comes to discrete trial training for autism. At this point, the child can independently perform the task on their own.

Example: The teacher would say: “Touch red,” and wait for the child to touch the red flashcard without assistance.

A young boy in therapy
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-discrete-trial-training/

Empowering Independence Through DTT

Discrete trial training (DTT) is a powerful tool for ABA therapy. It helps us teach children with autism the correct responses and behaviors in different situations. The best part is, it’s not just for therapy sessions – it can be used at home, too!

By using positive reinforcement and rewards, DTT aims to improve the quality of life and independence of kids on the autism spectrum.

FAQs

Q: What age is suitable for starting DTT?

A: DTT can be initiated as early as 2-3 years old, but it’s never too late to start. The key is to tailor the program to the child’s developmental level.

Q: Is DTT effective for non-verbal children?

A: Yes, DTT can be highly effective for non-verbal children. It focuses on communication development and can help children with limited speech or non-verbal communication.

Q: How long does a typical DTT session last?

A: DTT sessions are usually brief, lasting around 20-30 minutes to maintain the child’s engagement and focus.

Q: Can DTT be combined with other autism therapies?

A: Yes, DTT can be integrated into a comprehensive autism intervention program, often alongside speech therapy, occupational therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Q: Are DTT programs available for home use?

A: DTT can be adapted for home use with guidance from a qualified therapist. However, it’s essential to receive proper training to implement it effectively.

References:

A Model for Problem Solving in Discrete Trial Training for Children with Autism
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ846778.pdf 

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Communication Problems in Children
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/autism-spectrum-disorder-communication-problems-children

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS Steps for Implementation: Discrete Trial Training
https://csesa.fpg.unc.edu/sites/csesa.fpg.unc.edu/files/ebpbriefs/DTT_Steps_0.pdf

Discrete trial training: A structured learning approach for children with ASD
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2019-11201-013

Support Autism Parenting Magazine

We hope you enjoyed this article. In order to support us to create more helpful information like this, please consider purchasing a subscription to Autism Parenting Magazine.

Download our FREE guide on the best Autism Resources for Parents

Related Articles

Autism Parenting Magazine