19/02/2026
Ever wonder what actually happens during Discrete Trial Instruction (DTI)? 💡
This video shows what 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗧𝗜 should look like.
Notice a few important things 👀
• The therapist first 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 with reinforcement. The learner is motivated and willing to participate
• Instructions are clear and delivered at a 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 (no long waiting between trials)
• Targets are 𝗺𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 across verbal operants (tacts, listener responding, imitation, answers to questions) instead of repeating the same type of question over and over
• An 𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲 is used so the learner is set up for success, not frustration
Most importantly:
➡️ The learner is giving a 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀
➡️ Responses are happening within 𝟯 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
That quick, accurate responding tells us the skill is actually being learned and not memorized, prompted, or guessed.
DTI isn’t just “flashcards at a table.”
When done correctly, it’s a carefully designed teaching system that builds language skills, attention, learning readiness, and confidence.
This is how DTI should look: engaged learner, fast pacing, strong motivation, and lots of successful responding.
