Discrete Trial Training

Discrete trial training is an intensive treatment designed to assist individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism. It involves directly training a variety of skills that individuals with disabilities may not pick up naturally. Programs often start by training pre-learning skills (sitting, attending, looking at trainer), social skills (looking at people, talking and interacting with them appropriately), safety skills (ability to state name, address, and phone number) and basic concepts (colors, letters, numbers). Children who are non-verbal may be trained to speak, use sign language, or use other communication devices. After these basics are mastered, higher-level skills are trained.

Discrete trial training is conducted using intensive drills of selected materials. A specific behavior is prompted or guided, and children receive reinforcement for proper responses. Initially, basic reinforcers such as candy, soda, or other edibles are utilized. This works best if children do not receive sweets during any other portion of the day. Shaping procedures are used to teach children to respond to other types of reinforcement, such as praise or breaks.

This form of treatment works best when it is begun in the pre-school years. Ideally, treatment will begin as soon as the symptoms of autism are apparent, generally between 2 and 3 years of age. Older children can benefit from this treatment as well, but may not have the same long-term gains as children who begun discrete trial training in the preschool years.

Phoenix Behavior Services, LLC provides discrete trial training in the client’s home. Research has shown that treatment outcomes are better maintained when treatment is given in the home environment.