Peer-facilitated discrete trial training for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract

In 2 studies, we evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of peer-mediated, school-based discrete trial training (DTT) for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the first, 6 typically developing elementary-age students were trained to use DTT procedures to teach target academic skills to 3 students with ASD who had been educated in a self-contained setting. A multiple probe-across-tutors design was applied to evaluate the accuracy with which the tutors implemented the DTT protocol. Results of the study indicated that training was effective in increasing the integrity of implementation of the DTT protocol. In addition, improvements in integrity were maintained following termination of training. To assess the effectiveness of the ability of previously untrained tutors to teach new, target behaviors to different children with ASD, a second study was conducted. Five of the 6 tutors taught 2 or 3 skills in a multiple probe fashion to children with ASD whom they had not previously tutored. Results suggest that peer tutors effectively generalized skills, as shown by participants with ASD who demonstrated rapid improvements in level and trend of target behaviors. Observations of social engagement during unstructured periods were conducted prior to and following intervention as a measure of social validity. Substantial increases in duration of engagement were noted, suggesting that peer-mediated DTT may result in meaningful improvements in both academic skills and inclusion with peers. (PsycINFO Database Record

Mini-Basketball Training Program Improves Social Communication and White Matter Integrity in Children with Autism

“…Up to now, various evidence-based ASD interventions (applied behavior analysis [8], discrete trial training [9], and pivotal response training [10]) that aimed to improve SC have been applied successfully, but to maximize such positive treatment effects, researchers have also started to encourage the use of physical exercise training programs as an adjuvant therapy for ASD children within usual care treatments [11][12][13]. Specifically, researchers found positive effects on antisocial behaviors [12] and SC-related outcomes (e.g., emotion regulation, social awareness, social cognition, social communication, and mannerisms) among ASD patients aged 3 to 12 years [11] following different physical training programs (e.g., swimming, jogging, martial arts, and basketball [14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

Assessing, understanding, and supporting students with autism at school: Contemporary science, practice, and policy.

“…The fifth article by Young, Radley, Jenson, West, and Clare, (2016), featured two studies examining the feasibility and efficacy of peer-mediated, school-based discrete trial training (DTT) for students with ASD. The first study included six typically developing elementary-age students who were trained to use DTT procedures to teach target academic skills to three students with ASD.…”