Glossary Terms

Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is a structured teaching method used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that breaks down skills into small, manageable components, with each learning opportunity (or trial) having a clear beginning and end. DTT involves presenting a stimulus, prompting the desired behavior, and providing reinforcement for correct responses. The goal is to teach […]

Discontinuous measurement procedures are used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to track a behavior by sampling or observing only a portion of the occurrences within a specified observation period, rather than recording every instance. These methods provide an efficient way to gather data when it’s not feasible to measure every behavior occurrence. Common forms of

Discrimination training is a teaching technique used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that involves reinforcing a specific behavior in the presence of one stimulus (known as the discriminative stimulus, or SD) and withholding reinforcement (extinction) when the behavior occurs in the presence of other stimuli. The goal is to help the individual learn to respond

A Discriminative Stimulus (SD) is a stimulus in the environment that signals the availability of reinforcement for a specific behavior. When an SD is present, it indicates that a particular behavior will result in a reinforcement, increasing the likelihood that the behavior will occur. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), SDs are used to teach individuals

Direct Functional Behavior Assessment (Direct FBA) involves the use of direct observation and skill assessments to identify the function of a behavior. In this approach, the behavior analyst observes the individual in their natural environment and records specific details about the behavior, including its antecedents (what happens before), the behavior itself, and its consequences (what

Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) is a technique used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) where reinforcement is delivered if the target (maladaptive) behavior does not occur during a specific time period. Any other behavior, as long as it is not the problem behavior, is reinforced. The goal of DRO is to reduce or eliminate

Differential Reinforcement of Lower Rates of Behavior (DRL) is a strategy used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to reduce the frequency of a behavior that is socially acceptable but occurs too often or at inappropriate times. Rather than eliminating the behavior entirely, DRL aims to reinforce lower rates of the behavior by providing reinforcement only

Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI) is a technique used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) where reinforcement is provided for a behavior that is incompatible with the undesired or maladaptive behavior. In other words, the individual is reinforced for engaging in a behavior that physically cannot occur at the same time as the problematic behavior.

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA) is a behavioral strategy used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) where reinforcement is provided for an alternative behavior that serves the same function as the maladaptive behavior. Instead of reinforcing the unwanted behavior, the focus is on teaching and reinforcing an appropriate replacement behavior that meets the individual’s needs

Demand fading is a behavioral intervention technique used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that involves the gradual increase of task demands over time to reduce escape or avoidance behaviors. The goal is to start with a very low level of demand (often one that the individual can tolerate) and slowly increase the difficulty or length