Discrete Trial Instruction

Abstract

Discrete trial instruction (DTI), also commonly known as discrete trial training, is an evidence-based instructional method that combines a high number of opportunities to respond with a prompting hierarchy and positive reinforcement in order to promote rapid skill acquisition. Rooted in behavior analysis, DTI has been identified as an effective instructional strategy for a wide variety of skills and populations; however, it is most often used as one of the primary treatments for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Within DTI, individual learning trials are occasioned by a prompt (e.g., “Show me the color red”), with additional prompting provided as needed to produce correct responding. The goal of DTI is to reduce learner dependence on more intrusive prompts (e.g., gestural, physical) and promote accurate responding under the most naturalistic prompts, which are typically verbal. In this way, learning within DTI frameworks is evidenced by increasing the percentage of trials (i.e., opportunities) during which the most naturalistic prompt produced an accurate response. Meta-analyses of programs relying heavily on DTI support it as a generally effective instructional strategy (e.g., Virués-Ortega, Clin Psychol Rev 30:387–399, 2010) and other syntheses have found it to be an effective strategy to promote generalization of skills across settings (e.g., Kane et al., Behav Anal Today 11:128, 2010).