What is one of the disadvantages of Discrete Trial Training (DTT)?

Discrete Trial Training (DTT) can be very effective in teaching specific skills through structured, repetitive practice; however, one notable disadvantage is that it can lead to prompt dependency. This occurs when a learner becomes reliant on prompts (like verbal or physical cues) to perform tasks or behaviors.

In DTT, the learning process involves presenting a clear instruction or question, followed by a prompt if the learner does not respond correctly, and then providing reinforcement for the correct answer. Over time, if a learner consistently requires prompts to respond, they may struggle to generalize their skills or initiate responses independently in more naturalistic settings. This dependence on external guidance can hinder the overall goal of fostering independent learning and application of skills in various environments.

Generalization is an essential aspect of learning; however, the structured nature of DTT may not always facilitate the transfer of learned skills to different contexts. While some aspects of DTT promote independence, the risk of prompt dependency highlights the importance of gradually fading prompts and ensuring learners practice skills in varied circumstances to enhance their confidence and capability in using those skills without support.