Discrete trial training (DTT) and applied behavior analysis (ABA) are two approaches to therapy that are often used to help individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities learn new skills and improve behaviors. While both approaches are based on the principles of ABA, they differ in how they are implemented and the specific techniques they use.
One key difference between DTT and ABA is the structure of the therapy sessions. DTT sessions are typically highly structured and use a specific set of steps to teach a new skill or modify a behavior. These steps include presenting a prompt, providing reinforcement for a correct response, and correcting any incorrect responses. DTT sessions often focus on one specific skill or behavior at a time, and progress is usually measured through the use of data collection and analysis.
ABA, on the other hand, is a more broad-based approach that can be used to teach a wide range of skills and behaviors. ABA sessions may be less structured than DTT sessions, and may use a variety of techniques to teach new skills or modify behaviors. These techniques may include positive reinforcement, shaping, and fading. ABA therapy may also use data collection and analysis to track progress, but the focus is often on the overall functioning of the individual rather than on specific skills or behaviors.
Another important difference between DTT and ABA is the role of the therapist. In DTT, the therapist typically plays a more active role in leading the therapy sessions and providing prompts and reinforcement. In ABA, the therapist may take a more collaborative approach, working with the individual to identify goals and developing a plan to achieve those goals.
Overall, DTT and ABA are both effective approaches to therapy for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The choice between the two will depend on the specific needs and goals of the individual and the preferences of the therapist and the individual’s family.
I found this article really helpful in understanding the differences between DTT and ABA. It was clear and easy to understand, and gave a great overview of the key features of each approach. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve been considering ABA therapy for my child, but I wasn’t sure if it was the right fit for us. This article helped clarify some of the differences between ABA and DTT, and gave me a better sense of which approach might be more suitable for our needs. Thank you for the informative and useful post!
I’ve been involved in DTT therapy for a few months now, and this article really helped me understand the differences between DTT and ABA. It’s great to have a clear comparison of the two approaches, and I feel more informed about the therapy options available to me
I’m looking for data collection that can be configured to take DTT data -AND- ABA data depending on client needs. Has anyone found software that does this elegantly? I’ve tried ReThink (not a serious ABA/DTT applicaiton IMHO), Catalyst (WAY too complicated to use in the field and too rigid), Aloha (didn’t have enough features), and Central reach (will do it, but the interface is so clunky, I spent too much time tweaking it very day). Anyone?
I used a few of those and went back to using pen & paper until I saw a colleague at a summer camp using biptrack a few years ago. I started using it and have been singing its praises ever since! It does everything we need DTT/ABA and is really very customizable. It solved so many issue I had with other software. I particularly love how you can automatically pull data & therapist notes directly into your notes and reports too. Oh, you can also create any type of assessment you want in biptrack, it has a drag and drop tool to make them.
I used to use Catalyst and now use BIPTrack too. It is so much more intuitive. I like that it has forms that can be assigned to others to fill out.
I use Catalyst at the school I work at during the day (requirement of the school and I HATE it), but I use BIPTrack with my other clients and LOVE IT! The people at BIPTrack are really great too, they added a custom feature (we needed something to track the devices the team were using) just for my team at no cost!
As a parent of a child with autism, I found this article incredibly useful. It gave me a better understanding of the different approaches to therapy, and helped me see the benefits and limitations of each one. I appreciate the clear and concise explanation of the differences between DTT and ABA.