Chapter 9: DTT

What are four disadvantages of DTT?

--Structure of teaching arrangement may lead to rote responding; child may need special programming for generalization --May be difficult for child to move form structured teaching arrangement to natural environment ---Where prompting and fading and continuous an immediate reinforces are not always provided ---Instruction may also inhibit the teacher's ability to interact natural with child --When teacher's choses to work on verbal operant other than manding, child motivation may be reduced and problem behavior may increase

What are the five components of a discrete trial?

An Antecedent Stimulus,--> discriminative stimulus (SD) Prompt Response Consequence Intertrial Interval

Why are discrete trials called "discrete?"

Every instructional trial has a definite beginning and end

Massed trials are another defining feature of DTT. Describe what massed trials refer to?

Involve presenting the same antecedent stimulus (or stimuli) across number of trials (ex. 5 to 10), wherein correct response and successive approximations are reinforced

What are three advantages of DTT?

One advantage is that DTT allows for a high number of teaching trials to take place ensuring each teaching session. All verbal operants (mands, echoics, tacts, and intraverbals) are given attention during DTT instruction. Reinforcers can be prepared rather easily and can be made available throughout teaching sessions.

What is the defining feature of the discrete trial?

The behavior of the participant ends the trail.

How are new targets introduced in DTT?

The presentation of the target in shaping allows the antecedent stimulus to be randomly rotated with the presentation of two or more antecedent stimuli to which the child can respond with reliable accuracy. Once the child is able to respond in accordance with a preset criterion in this phase, the skill is considered known and mastered, and new targets are introduced.

In contrast to DTT, how are skills taught in NET?

With NET, skills are taught in a more natural environment and in a more "playful" manner. Also, the reinforcers used to increase appropriate responding are always directly related to the task.

DTT has been used to target which language areas?

receptive language, expressive language, and conversation skills