Using Behavioral Skill Training to Extend Discrete-Trial Teaching Skills Across Instructional Programs

Abstract

Educators serve an essential role when teaching skills to children with special needs, and effective training is crucial. Behavioral skills training (BST) is an empirically supported training approach that has been used to establish discrete trial teaching (DTT) skills in school staff. This study replicates previous research by assessing the effect of BST when teaching DTT skills and their extension across instructional programs and settings not associated with training. Results showed that BST resulted in the extension of DTT skills across instructional programs that were maintained three weeks after training was completed. BST was rated favorably in a social validity survey.