DTT is one of the most well-researched teaching strategies in Applied Behavior Analysis. It provides a highly controlled learning environment that is particularly effective for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), helping them acquire skills that may not emerge naturally through incidental learning.
Each discrete trial has three parts: the antecedent (the therapist's instruction or SD — discriminative stimulus), the behavior (the child's response), and the consequence (reinforcement for correct responses or an error correction procedure for incorrect ones). Trials are typically run in massed format — repeating the same skill multiple times in a row — before moving to intermixed practice.
Data collection is integral to DTT. Therapists record whether each response was correct, prompted (and at what prompt level), or incorrect. This data is used to track progress toward mastery criteria, adjust prompt fading, and demonstrate outcomes to parents and supervisors.
In practice
In a typical ABA session, a therapist might run 10–20 DTT trials for a given skill target (e.g., receptive identification of objects, matching, LEGO imitation). Data is collected trial-by-trial, often on a paper data sheet or tablet, and reviewed at end of session or week to determine if the child is ready to move to the next target.
Key facts
Each trial = Instruction (SD) + Response + Consequence
Data is collected on every trial: correct, prompted, or incorrect
Mastery criteria (e.g., 80% correct across 3 sessions) determine when to advance
Often paired with naturalistic teaching (NET) for generalization
Widely used for skill acquisition in children with ASD
Theralyn's live session execution screen includes DTT goal counters that track correct, prompted, and incorrect responses per trial. Data is recorded during the session and compiled automatically into the session report — no post-session transcription required.
Frequently asked questions
What is Discrete Trial Training (DTT)?
Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is a structured ABA teaching method where a skill is broken into its smallest components and taught through repeated, clearly defined trials — each with an instruction, a prompted or unprompted response, and a consequence (reinforcement or correction).
How is Discrete Trial Training (DTT) used in practice?
In a typical ABA session, a therapist might run 10–20 DTT trials for a given skill target (e.g., receptive identification of objects, matching, LEGO imitation). Data is collected trial-by-trial, often on a paper data sheet or tablet, and reviewed at end of session or week to determine if the child is ready to move to the next target.
How does Theralyn help with Discrete Trial Training (DTT)?
Theralyn's live session execution screen includes DTT goal counters that track correct, prompted, and incorrect responses per trial. Data is recorded during the session and compiled automatically into the session report — no post-session transcription required.