What is DTT in ABA therapy?

DTT is a structured ABA technique that breaks down skills into small, “discrete” components. Systematically, the trainer teaches these skills one by one. Along the way, trainers use tangible reinforcements for desired behavior. For a child, this might include a candy or small toy.

What are the 5 steps of DTT?

Using DTT for a learner with autism involves the following steps.

  • Deciding What to Teach: Assessment and Summarizing Results.
  • Breaking the Skill Down into Teachable Steps.
  • Setting-up the Data Collection System.
  • Designating Location(s)
  • Gathering Materials.
  • Delivering the Trials.
  • Massed Trial Teaching.

How is DTT different from ABA?

Saying that ABA and DTT are the same is like saying a rectangle and a square are the same. All DTT is ABA, but not all ABA is DTT, just like all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares. In this analogy, ABA strategies are rectangles, with DTT being a type of ABA, like a square is a type of rectangle.

What are the 3 core components of DTT?

3 main components of DTT:

  • antecedent: presentation of an event of stimulus (instruction and motivation)
  • response: the learner performs a behavior.
  • consequence: reinforcement or error correction is delivered.

Why is DTT used with autism?

Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is used to help autistic children learn new skills. These skills range from very simple to more complex, depending on children’s specific needs. For example, DTT can be used to teach: speech and language skills, like those needed for having a conversation.

What can DTT teach?

Discrete Trial Training DTT is also an excellent ABA therapy to teach social skills and other positive behaviors. It can be taught in the child’s natural environment….Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) can use DTT to help children learn basic skills in these five areas:

  • Cognitive.
  • Communication.
  • Play.
  • Social.
  • Self Help.

How do you conduct DTT?

The process involves giving an instruction like ‘Pick up the cup’. If needed, you follow up the instruction with a physical or verbal prompt like pointing at the cup. You reward success with praise and something the child likes. DTT can be a very time-intensive approach to learning and changing behaviour.

What are the components of a discrete trial?

Each discrete trial consists of an Antecedent (the instruction), a Behaviour (the correct response), and a Consequence (reinforcement delivery).

What are the steps of DTT?

There are five steps to each DTT trial.

  • Antecedent.
  • Prompt.
  • Response.
  • Consequence for the response (correct or incorrect)
  • Interval between trials.

When do you use DTT?

For example, DTT can be used to teach:

  1. speech and language skills, like those needed for having a conversation.
  2. skills needed for sign language or communication devices.
  3. daily living skills like dressing, using utensils and following instructions.
  4. writing skills.

How many trials are in DTT?

Each trial is a learning opportunity, and the goal of a DTT session is to give the child hundreds of learning opportunities in order to teach specific skills. Younger children usually do 10 trials of each skill, while older children might do 5 trials of each skill.

What skills can be taught using DTT?

For example, DTT can be used to teach:

  • speech and language skills, like those needed for having a conversation.
  • skills needed for sign language or communication devices.
  • daily living skills like dressing, using utensils and following instructions.
  • writing skills.