ABA Discrete Trial & Naturalistic Teaching 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In DTT, 'stimulus control' is said to be established when:
- The learner responds to all stimuli in the environment
- The target response reliably occurs in the presence of the SD and not in its absence (Correct answer)
- The therapist stops providing prompts entirely
- The learner achieves 100% accuracy on the first trial of each session
Correct answer: The target response reliably occurs in the presence of the SD and not in its absence
Stimulus control is established when the SD reliably evokes the target response while S-delta conditions do not, indicating the learner has discriminated the relevant cue.
Question 2: A child only responds correctly when the therapist leans forward before presenting the SD. This is an example of:
- Stimulus generalization
- Stimulus overselectivity or inadvertent prompting (Correct answer)
- Successful stimulus control transfer
- Errorless learning
Correct answer: Stimulus overselectivity or inadvertent prompting
This is inadvertent prompting (stimulus overselectivity), where the learner responds to an unintended environmental cue rather than the intended SD.
Question 3: In the Enhanced Milieu Teaching (EMT) model, a 'time delay' procedure is used to:
- Reduce the inter-trial interval
- Create an expectant pause that prompts the child to initiate communication (Correct answer)
- Measure response latency for data collection
- Introduce punishment for non-responses
Correct answer: Create an expectant pause that prompts the child to initiate communication
In EMT, time delay involves pausing expectantly after establishing joint attention, which creates an opportunity and mild pressure for the child to initiate a communicative response.
Question 4: Which scenario best illustrates 'distractor trials' in a DTT program?
- Running trials in a noisy environment to test generalization
- Interspersing mastered, easy items among acquisition trials to maintain responding and momentum (Correct answer)
- Presenting stimuli that are irrelevant to the learner's goals
- Using high-preference items as distractors in array-based trials
Correct answer: Interspersing mastered, easy items among acquisition trials to maintain responding and momentum
Distractor trials (also called interspersed maintenance trials) involve mixing previously mastered items with new acquisition targets to build momentum and prevent frustration.
Question 5: Natural Environment Training (NET) differs from clinic-based DTT primarily in that NET:
- Never uses contrived reinforcers
- Embeds trials within the learner's natural daily activities and uses natural reinforcers (Correct answer)
- Requires a 1:1 therapist-to-learner ratio at all times
- Does not allow any prompting procedures
Correct answer: Embeds trials within the learner's natural daily activities and uses natural reinforcers
NET embeds instructional opportunities within naturally occurring activities and uses natural reinforcers, promoting generalization compared to clinic-based structured DTT.
Question 6: When using a 'least-to-most' prompting hierarchy in DTT, the therapist should:
- Begin with the most intrusive prompt and fade it over time
- Start with the least intrusive prompt and increase support only if the learner does not respond correctly (Correct answer)
- Deliver all prompts simultaneously to maximize correct responding
- Never use physical guidance as part of the hierarchy
Correct answer: Start with the least intrusive prompt and increase support only if the learner does not respond correctly
Least-to-most prompting begins with the least intrusive level of support and escalates to more intrusive prompts only when the learner does not respond correctly within the prompt window.
Question 7: A therapist implementing Joint Action Routines (JARs) as a naturalistic teaching strategy is primarily targeting:
- Single-word mand training in isolation
- Turn-taking, shared attention, and communication within predictable social routines (Correct answer)
- Motor imitation using backward chaining
- Discrete skill acquisition through massed practice
Correct answer: Turn-taking, shared attention, and communication within predictable social routines
JARs use predictable, repeating social routines to target joint attention, turn-taking, and communication in a naturalistic, highly motivating context.
ABA Discrete Trial & Naturalistic Teaching 3
In DTT, 'stimulus control' is said to be established when: