Discrete Trial Training (DTT) in ABA Therapy

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A discrete trial is how we break down skills into their basic components, isolate them, and teach new skills. We set up a trial by putting the child in a position to be successful, provide a stimulus that should control the behavior, and help the child through the behavior. Then when they are successful, we reinforce it.

Preparing for a trial is dependent on the task; however, for most basic skills the child should be calm and ready to respond. This can be difficult for early learners and will be discussed later along with ready behaviors. 

After a child is calm and ready, we apply the ABCs of Behavior:

1. Antecedent - The stimulus is given
2. Behavior - Starting out, we help the child through the behavior
3. Consequence - We reinforce the correct behavior

Errorless learning is a process where we help children be successful when we introduce a skill. We use the most minimally invasive prompt to be able to help the child perform the task correctly. We will address errorless learning later on, but in most cases starting out, this requires some hand-over-hand prompting.

Errorless learning uses prompts and there are a few key points about prompts that are very important:

• A prompt still means that the child is performing the behavior
• Never force a child to do anything - Force or grabbing a child that is resisting is not a prompt
• Some children may need pre-requisite practicing to understand how prompts work

For example, if you are laying out three images on a table and want to teach the child how to receptively identify a horse:

1. Start out with the child at the table, calm, and ready with the cards laid out. 
2. Provide the stimulus: "Touch Horse"
3. Help the child respond - This may be with a gesture and pointing at the Horse, or by gently helping the child reach out and touch the horse
4. Reinforce! - Immediately (Within one second) provide praise and access to a toy or reinforcing item for at least 25 seconds.

That was one discrete trial.

Before you try out your first discrete trial, read ahead and cover Errorless Learning and Prompting to help understand minimally intrusive prompts.