What Is Discrete Trial Training?

As a parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or as a healthcare provider, you are always looking for the best therapy for your child’s improvement. Applied behavioral analysis is one of the most effective and well-known therapies for ASD. It includes many techniques, such as discrete trial training (DTT), which can be used to help children with autism communicate better and learn new skills.

If you’re looking for discrete trial training in Newton, MA, or the surrounding area, Rising Above ABA can help. Call 888.572.7473 today to learn more.

What Is Discrete Trial Training?

Discrete trial training is a form of ABA therapy in which therapists use an individualized approach to teach your child specific skills. This type of therapy is broken down into its simplest components, or “trials”, and repeated until the child has mastered a particular skill. DTT helps children increase their communication, socialization, and other important skills.

DTT breaks down learning into simplified and structured steps, allowing children with ASD to learn social, academic, and functional skills. This systematic approach tracks each skill’s progress through data collection, which enables more personalized approaches to the child’s therapy.

How DTT Works

DTT therapy involves a three-step procedure.

First, DTT structures the therapy into discrete trials, each of which is a planned interaction. These trials include different types of activities, such as speaking, imitation, or physical tasks.

Second, a therapist uses reinforcement to encourage the child’s desired behavior and motivate him or her to complete each trial successfully. Reinforcement can take the form of verbal praise or rewards such as stickers or other tokens.

Third, the therapist collects data from each session and reviews it to assess the child’s progress. This data helps therapists adjust their approach in order to effectively target and teach new skills.

The therapy mainly focuses on teaching new skills and creating behavior change by developing good communication, appropriate social interaction, and independent functioning.

The Benefits of Discrete Trial Training for Autism

DTT offers advantages to children with autism that can transform their lives and their families. Here are a few of DTT’s key benefits:

• Improved cognitive ability – DTT increases a child’s cognitive functioning, promotes language development, and enhances academic performance.
• Better social skills – DTT enhances social interaction skills by teaching appropriate communicative behavior, promoting peer socialization, and increasing play skills.
• Greater independence – DTT therapy reduces dependence on caregivers by teaching self-help skills, hygiene routines, and other daily living activities.

DTT is part of ABA therapy, a behavior-based plan that tackles socially significant skills by breaking them down into manageable steps. DTT is among the most structured and well-defined ABA techniques. Together with various other structured teaching techniques, it helps to create an active and effective learning environment.

Contact Rising Above ABA Today for Discrete Trial Training in Newton, MA

DTT is an evidence-based training technique that has gained significant recognition in the treatment of autism. Its structured nature has shown positive outcomes, making it a great alternative to traditional teaching methods. Through DTT, children with autism can learn new skills, extensive socialization, and behavior management in a controlled environment.

At Rising Above ABA, we understand that your child’s progress is our priority. Our team of certified and experienced therapists will work with you to create an individualized DTT plan for your child.

If you’re interested in DTT, get in touch with our team today to get started. We are dedicated to providing an individually-tailored ABA therapy plan customized to meet your child’s unique learning needs.

Call 888.572.7473 or reach out to the Rising Above ABA team online today to get started.