Discrete Trial Training

A structured teaching method used primarily with autistic children in which skills are broken down into small, distinct components and taught through repeated, controlled trials. Each trial follows a sequence: a clear instruction or stimulus is presented, the learner responds, and the response is followed by a consequence (reinforcement for correct responses, correction for errors). The level of prompting (physical guidance, verbal cues, or modelling) is systematically faded as the learner gains competence. DTT is a core technique within Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and has been widely supported by research as effective for teaching basic skills including language, attention, and social behaviour to children with autism spectrum disorders.