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Discrete trial teaching (DTT) is one of the cornerstones of applied behavior analysis (ABA) based interventions. Conventionally, DTT is commonly implemented within a prescribed, fixed manner in which the therapist is governed by a strict set of rules. In contrast to conventional DTT, a progressive approach to DTT allows the therapist to remain flexible, making in-the-moment analyses and changes based on several variables (e.g., individual responding, current and previous history). The present paper will describe some guidelines to a progressive approach to DTT. The guidelines presented here should not be taken as a set of rules or as an exhaustive list.

Today many special education classrooms implement procedures based upon the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to establish educationally relevant skills and decrease aberrant behaviors. However, it is difficult for school staff and consultants to evaluate the implementation of various components of ABA and general classroom set up. In the present study we developed the Behavioral Classroom Needs Assessment as a tool to measure the quality of implementation of principles derived from ABA, teaching, and classroom set up in special education classrooms. Experiment 1 evaluated the reliability of two observers using the Behavioral Classroom Needs Assessment during 128 different observations across 68 different special education classrooms. An Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and Cronbach Alpha Analysis were utilized to determine reliability, and the results showed a high f of reliability across the 40 questions of the assessment. Experiment 2 compared the quality of intervention using the Behavioral Classroom Needs Assessment in five classrooms who received behavioral consultation and five classrooms that did not receive behavioral consultation. The results showed an improvement in the scores on the Behavioral Classroom Needs Assessment for those classrooms in which consultation occurred.