Discrete Trial Training

What is Discrete Trial Training?

Discrete Trial Training is a teaching technique used in some therapies for autistic children. It isn’t a therapy in itself.

Discrete Trial Training is a structured, rewards-based approach to helping children learn new skills step by step. It’s based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) theory and is often used as part of a broad, ABA-based approach.

Discrete Trial Training is sometimes called Discrete Trial Teaching.

Who is Discrete Trial Training for?

Discrete Trial Training is typically used with autistic children aged 2-6 years, but it can be used with autistic people of any age.

Discrete Trial Training can also be used with older children or adults with learning delays or intellectual disability.

What is Discrete Trial Training used for?

Discrete Trial Training 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, Discrete Trial Training can be used to teach:

speech and language skills, like those needed for answering questions
skills needed for using sign language or communication devices
daily living skills like dressing, using utensils and following instructions
writing skills.

Discrete Trial Training can also be used to help children learn new behaviour skills and develop independence.

ABA techniques like Discrete Trial Training can help autistic children develop skills and independence. But these techniques should always be used in a way that respects neurodiversity, works with children’s strengths and rewards positive behaviour change.

Where does Discrete Trial Training come from?

Discrete Trial Training is a teaching technique that comes from Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). ABA is focused on increasing positive behaviour and reducing negative behaviour. It does this by reinforcing or rewarding positive behaviour so that it’s more likely to happen again. Negative behaviour doesn’t get any attention, which means it’s less likely to happen again.

ABA itself is based on a theory of learning called behaviourism. This idea was developed in the 1900s.

As a therapy for autistic children, Discrete Trial Training is associated with the Lovaas Model, which was developed in the 1960s with Discrete Trial Training as a central component.

What is the idea behind Discrete Trial Training?

Discrete Trial Training is based on the idea that you can teach any behaviour or skill by breaking the skill into smaller steps. This makes the skill or behaviour easier to learn.

Discrete Trial Training uses repetition, so children have plenty of opportunities to learn and practise new skills. Discrete Trial Training also uses rewards to encourage children to learn and use new skills. This is based on the idea that behaviour that’s rewarded will happen more frequently, whereas behaviour that isn’t rewarded will happen less frequently.

What does Discrete Trial Training involve?

Discrete Trial Training teaches skills by breaking them into small steps, rewarding children as they learn each step. The rewards encourage children to learn and use the new skill.

The process involves giving a child 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 or something the child likes. As the child learns over time, you remove the prompts. You can also use increasingly complicated instructions.

Discrete Trial Training can be a very time-intensive approach to learning and changing behaviour. It can involve many hours a day. Depending on children’s specific goals, Discrete Trial Training can go on for several years.

The time commitment required for Discrete Trial Training depends on the type of program in which it’s used, as well as children’s specific needs. Discrete Trial Training can take a lot of time, but research has shown that this intensity is how the technique achieves its outcomes.

Does Discrete Trial Training help autistic children?

High-quality research shows that Discrete Trial Training has positive effects on autistic children’s behaviour. It’s been found to work even better when it’s combined with other Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) techniques.

Not all autistic children benefit from Discrete Trial Training in the same way, and some can find it difficult to use the skills they’ve learned in Discrete Trial Training in daily life. These children will need support to use their skills at home and in other environments.

Some autistic adults and parents of autistic children say that ABA has made a positive difference to their lives. But some critics say that ABA forces autistic children to conform to neurotypical norms and doesn’t let autistic children be themselves. Past uses of ABA and some present uses can be criticised for this reason.

Which professionals offer Discrete Trial Training?

Most ABA programs that use Discrete Trial Training are developed by psychologists and implemented by occupational therapists, special education teachers, speech pathologists, registered behaviour technicians and other aides.

Where can you find a professional who uses Discrete Trial Training?

You can find professionals who use Discrete Trial Training by going to:

If you’re interested in Discrete Trial Training, it’s a good idea to talk about this approach with your GP or one of the other professionals working with your child.

You could also talk about it with your NDIA planner, early childhood partner or local area coordinator, if you have one.

How are parents involved in Discrete Trial Training?

If your child is in an ABA program that uses Discrete Trial Training, you usually need to play a role. Your involvement will vary depending on the program and might include being coached to use Discrete Trial Training with your child at home.

Training might be available depending on the program.

How much does Discrete Trial Training cost?

The cost of Discrete Trial Training depends on the type of ABA program it’s being used in. It’s likely that ABA programs using Discrete Trial Training will involve a high cost because they take a lot of time.

You might be able to include the costs of using Discrete Trial Training in your child’s NDIS plan. You can contact the NDIS to find out.

Therapies and supports for autistic children range from behavioural therapies and developmental approaches to medicines and alternative therapies. When you understand the main types of therapies and supports for autistic children, it’ll be easier to work out the approach that will best suit your child.