In the context of intensive instruction, how often should a student receive DTT sessions?

Intensive instruction, particularly in the context of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Discrete Trial Training (DTT), emphasizes frequent and consistent practice to promote skill acquisition. DTT is designed to break down complex skills into smaller, manageable components, allowing for repetitive practice that can lead to mastery.

Receiving DTT sessions at least once a day ensures that the student is consistently engaged with the material, enabling the reinforcement of learned skills and the opportunity for immediate correction of errors. Daily sessions help maintain momentum in learning and allow for more timely adjustments to instructional strategies based on the student’s performance. This frequency also caters to the needs of many students with autism, who may thrive with repetitive and structured learning environments.

In contrast, infrequent sessions, such as once a week, every other day, or once a month, would not provide the level of intensity required for effective learning in many cases. Such a low frequency would likely hinder progress and retention of skills, as the student would not have enough exposure and practice opportunities to consolidate their learning effectively.