What is a key component of the discrete trial teaching method?

The discrete trial teaching method is fundamentally based on the use of discrete trials, which are structured, repetitive learning opportunities that focus on teaching specific skills or behaviors. Each discrete trial includes a clear antecedent or instruction, the child’s response, and an immediate consequence, which often involves reinforcement. This method allows for systematic and controlled instruction, enabling educators to break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable parts that can be taught in a structured manner.

By utilizing discrete trials, practitioners can precisely measure the child’s responses and progress, making it easier to implement data-driven decisions regarding teaching methods and adjustments. This emphasis on distinct, individual instructional units is what makes discrete trials a cornerstone of this teaching strategy, highlighting its effectiveness in promoting learning in individuals with autism and related developmental challenges.

The other options, such as direct modeling, social stories, and peer modeling, while beneficial in various contexts of teaching and supporting individuals with autism, do not encapsulate the core design and structured approach that discrete trials provide within this specific teaching method.