Does cultural difference influence the application of Discrete Trial Training? A comparative case study between Northern Ireland and Northern China

Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is an integral part of evidence-based early intensive behaviour intervention for young children on the autism spectrum. The 3-term contingency (i.e., Antecedent-Behaviour-Consequence, A-B-C) utilised in DTTs is the smallest ‘learn unit’ and new skills are broken down into small teachable learning units.

While the science behind DTTs is the same regardless where they are carried out, cultural difference may influence the actual execution of the DTT. The present study compared the use of DTTs by parents who took part in parent-training and professionals in Northern Ireland and Northern China.

A total of 4 participants from Northern Ireland and 4 from Northern China (3 parents and 1 professional in each country) were observed across 6 sessions. A data collection model was developed based on the A-B-C learn unit to record treatment fidelity of parents’ and professionals during parent training. Findings showed that treatment fidelity increased across trials due to parent training and that the application of Discrete Trial Training was similar despite cultural differences. Findings are discussed in cross cultural comparison discourse.