The Effectiveness of Discrete Trial Training in Teaching Writing

Abstract

The main objective of this case study was to enable the child to write their name independently. The intervention was implemented on child X using Discrete Trial Training (DTT), a structured teaching technique grounded in the principles of ABA. Initially child X’ behavior was observed for 10 days in a natural environment to establish a baseline, followed by structured 10 individual sessions, targeting writing skills. Tasks were taught using visual, verbal and physical prompts with systematic fading to promote independence. After the intervention, a 10-day post-intervention observation period was conducted to assess the maintenance and generalization of acquired writing skill. Continuous data collection was conducted to monitor and evaluate progress. The baseline of pre-intervention was 26%, during intervention rose to 67% and after post-intervention behavior score was observed at 76%. The result of this study proved that with consistent and systematic use of DTT intervention which is an ABA technique successfully helped a child to write their name without any assistance. Moreover, findings suggest that ABA based techniques specifically DTT interventions are helpful for improvement of fine motor skills such as writing task for those children who can’t write due to developmental delay.