Discrete Trial & Naturalistic Teaching Flashcards
7 cards from real ABA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Discrete Trial & Naturalistic Teaching flashcards as text
In DTT, what is the primary purpose of the inter-trial interval (ITI)?
Answer: To allow a brief pause between trials, reducing satiation and improving discrimination
The ITI is a brief pause between trials that helps prevent satiation, reduces trial blending, and improves the learner's ability to discriminate discrete trials.
Which of the following best describes 'massed practice' in the context of DTT?
Answer: Repeating the same SD-response-reinforcer sequence multiple times consecutively
Massed practice involves repeatedly running the same trial sequence back-to-back, which can accelerate initial skill acquisition for a target behavior.
In naturalistic teaching, 'following the child's lead' primarily means:
Answer: Using the child's current interest or activity to embed learning opportunities
Following the child's lead in naturalistic teaching means embedding instructional targets within activities or objects the child is already engaged with to increase motivation.
What distinguishes an 'incidental teaching' episode from a standard DTT trial?
Answer: Incidental teaching is initiated by the learner's interest; DTT is initiated by the instructor
Incidental teaching episodes are triggered by the learner approaching or showing interest in something, whereas DTT trials are initiated by the therapist presenting an SD.
A therapist consistently delivers praise 2–3 seconds after the correct response in DTT. This delay is most likely to:
Answer: Weaken the contingency between the response and reinforcement
Delaying reinforcement beyond 1–2 seconds after a response weakens the contingency, making it harder for the learner to associate the specific response with the consequence.
Which component of the DTT structure is responsible for evoking the target behavior?
Answer: Discriminative stimulus (SD)
The discriminative stimulus (SD) is the antecedent cue that signals to the learner that reinforcement is available for a specific response.
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is classified as a naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention primarily because it:
Answer: Targets pivotal areas like motivation and self-management within natural contexts
PRT targets pivotal areas (motivation, self-initiation, self-management) using natural reinforcers and child-led activities, making it a naturalistic developmental behavioral approach.