ABA Basics: The Difference Between NET and DTT

As a compassionate ABA specialist, I understand that parents of children with autism may feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right therapy approach for their child. In this post, I will discuss the two ABA therapy approaches used here at Meem, Naturalistic Environment Training (NET) and Discrete Trial Training (DTT), and how they may benefit your child.

Naturalistic Environment Training (NET) is an approach to ABA therapy that focuses on teaching skills in natural environments, such as the home or community setting. This approach is child-led, meaning that the therapist will follow your child's interests and incorporate those interests into the therapy session. NET is often used to teach social skills, communication, and play skills in a more natural and functional setting.

Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is another approach used in ABA therapy that involves breaking down complex skills into smaller, more manageable steps. This approach is structured and teacher-led, meaning that the therapist will provide clear prompts and reinforcements to teach the desired behavior or skill. DTT is often used to teach academic skills, self-care skills, and more structured and routine-based behaviors.

Both NET and DTT have their benefits and limitations, and the approach that is best suited for your child may depend on their individual needs and learning style. For example, if your child struggles with structured routines and prefers a more natural learning environment, NET may be the better approach. If your child benefits from clear prompts and structure, DTT may be a better fit.

At our clinic, we use a combination of both NET and DTT to create a personalized treatment plan for each child. Our team of experienced and compassionate BCBAs will work closely with you and your child to determine which approach is best suited for your child's individual needs. We understand that every child is unique, and we tailor our therapy sessions to meet each child's individual strengths and challenges.

We also prioritize collaboration with parents and caregivers, as we know that the most successful therapy outcomes happen when we work together as a team. We provide regular progress updates and communication with parents and caregivers to ensure that we are working towards common goals for your child.

If you are considering ABA therapy for your child with autism, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us. Our team of experienced and compassionate RBTs are here to answer any questions you may have and to help you determine which approach is best suited for your child's unique needs. We are committed to helping your child thrive and reach their full potential.

Let Meem Explain: The ABC's of ABA

If you’re just beginning your ABA journey, it can be kind of confusing. Here, at Meem Behavior, we know exactly how that feels. This is the start of our ABA Basics series, and hopefully you find the answers you need! Today, we’re going to be covering a term you might be familiar with – the ABCs of ABA. Namely: Antecedent, Behavioral, and Consequence, and how that information is used in Applied Behavioral Analysis.

Wait, what’s ABA?

So, what exactly is ABA therapy? We talk about this more here, but here’s a quick run down. Basically, applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a discipline that uses scientific methods from the field of behavior analysis to understand, predict, and produce meaningful changes in individuals’ behavior. This is a treatment course often recommended to children diagnosed with autism and has shown to be beneficial.

The ABCs

Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequences (ABC) is an important part of an ABA program. Essentially, the ABCs help guide behavioral analysts understand and, eventually, shape behavior. Antecedent is what comes before the behavior, whereas consequences are what happen after the behavior.

Here's an Example:

By tracking the antecedent and consequences of a specific behavior, we now have the context to manipulate and, eventually, change behavior. That is how the ABCs tie into ABA! Behavioral analysts help track behavior and manipulate both antecedents and consequences in order to impact behavior. Imagine if Johnny’s mom reminded him five minutes before bed time that he should start to get ready? Might that impact how Johnny reacts? These are the kinds of questions analysts ask and implement into their plans. Soon, you might find that Johnny doesn’t mind bedtime so much anymore.

Wrapping it Up

So, next time the kid in your life exhibits less than desirable behavior, just take a moment to piece together the ABCs. What prompted the behavior and what were the consequences? Bonus points if you can nail down why, exactly, the child in your life turns to that behavior. Let us know if you have any questions and visit our services page to learn more about what Meem behavior has to offer you!

What is Autism?

With so much misinformation out there about what autism is, or what it looks like, we're here to breakdown what exactly autism is, what the symptoms might be, and potential treatment plans.

First, What is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects each individual differently. It typically appears in early childhood and is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. The current CDC rate 2021 is 1 in 44 children in the U.S. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with (ASD) than girls.

What Causes Autism?

As unsatisfying as this answer might be, the research just isn't conclusive. Researchers have not identified the exact cause of ASD. However research does show that the environment or genetics could decide whether a person can develop the disorder.

What Are the Symptoms?

ASD symptoms vary in severity and not every individual has every symptom. The CDC lists the following symptoms.

• Avoids or does not keep eye contact

• Does not respond to name by 9 months of age

• Does not show facial expressions like happy, sad, angry, and surprised by 9 months of age

• Does not play simple interactive games like pat-a-cake by 12 months of age

• Uses few or no gestures by 12 months of age (e.g., does not wave goodbye)

• Does not share interests with others (e.g., shows you an object that he or she likes by 15 months of age)

• Does not point or look at what you point to by 18 months of age

• Does not notice when others are hurt or sad by 24 months of age

• Does not pretend in play (e.g., does not pretend to “feed” a doll by 30 months of age)

• Shows little interest in peers

• Has trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about own feelings at 36 months of age or older

• Does not play games with turn taking by 60 months of age

What Are the Treatments?

The CDC lists ABA Therapy as one of the approaches along with Occupational Therapy and speech therapy. Here at Meem Behavior you can have ABA, Speech and OT all in one location. Click here to learn more about our services and get started today.