Many people believe that everyone possesses a unique form of genius; this may be true for some, but not for others. But one thing is for sure: there are individuals who struggle to learn the basics. Some will see it as learning a foreign language. Maybe you're working on a simple request, and it just isn't clicking. You are not alone.
Fortunately there is a structured way, a way to break down any big skill into small, successful, bite-sized pieces. And yes, it is abstraction; everything is abstraction, but this is more.
It's called Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT), and it's one of the most well-researched teaching methods in autism support. Here at Pombo Labs, we believe in empowering you with practical, evidence-based tools.
Prompting as an Art
Before we walk through a learning moment, it's important to understand the philosophy of "least-to-most" prompting. The goal is always to provide the smallest amount of help necessary for your child to succeed. We want to be a supportive guide, not a director. Let's say you are teaching your child to point to their nose; the gentlest prompt is simply the verbal instruction, "Touch your nose." If there's no response, I know most people will then point to their nose as a hint. Yes, this is slightly more intrusive, but the most helpful prompt would be to gently guide their hand and touch their nose. Starting with the least amount of help encourages independence and gives your child every opportunity to show you what they know.
The Anatomy of a Learning Moment
At its heart, a learning moment is as simple as A-B-C. Every "discrete trial," or single teaching opportunity, is made up of three parts. Let's use the clear example of teaching your child to identify a body part.
- A: Antecedent (The Instruction): This is your simple, clear instruction. You might say, "Touch your nose."
- B: Behavior (Your Child's Response): This is what your child does. They might correctly touch their nose, or they might make an error by touching their chin or lip. Even not responding is a behavior.
- C: Consequence (The Reinforcement): This is what happens immediately after. If your child correctly touched their nose, you provide positive reinforcementāsomething they genuinely enjoy. You might say, "Awesome! You touched your nose!" and give them a high-five or a favorite snack.
That whole A-B-C sequence is one trial, likely lasting only a few seconds. But a truly effective teaching process is more like a thoughtful conversation; it anticipates challenges and handles errors with grace. So let's walk through that same "touch nose" task and see how a more nuanced, real-world approach unfolds.
First, you set the stage for success at a quiet moment. Your prompt is clear and simple: "Touch your nose."
Next comes a crucial, often overlooked step: you wait. This brief pause, perhaps for three to five seconds, is a moment of respect. It gives your child the necessary time to process your words and formulate a response. You'll learn your child's unique processing rhythm over time.
Now, let's imagine your child makes an error and touches their chin instead. The most important thing you can do is remain calm and neutral. An error doesn't signify failure; it simply tells you that your child needs a little more help on this skill.
This is where the corrective prompt comes in. You would immediately repeat the instruction, "Touch your nose," but this time, you provide the support needed for success. For example, you might gently guide their hand from their chin up to their nose. The moment their finger makes contact with their nose, even with your help, you provide warm, genuine praise like, "Yes, that's your nose!" This gesture acknowledges the correct placement without rewarding the initial error, connecting the right action with a positive outcome.
Now for a step that truly elevates the process: the distraction. Before asking again, you briefly reset the situation with a simple, unrelated task your child can easily succeed at. You might say, "Give me a high-five!" or "Clap your hands!" This quick, successful interaction acts as a mental palate cleanser, breaking any potential link to the previous error and preventing frustration. Itās a great idea to vary this distractor, as kids can get bored with the same one.
Finally, you represent the original task. You confidently ask again, "Touch your nose." Because of the gentle correction and the brief distraction, your child now has a much higher chance of remembering the correct answer and succeeding independently. This immediate opportunity to succeed is what builds true mastery and confidence.
Why This Method Works
This thoughtful cycle of prompt-wait-correct-distract-represent is not arbitrary. It's a system refined through decades of applied research. Behavior analysts' work, which includes many influential contributions from experts in various industries, consistently shows that our responses to errors are just as important as our celebrations of successes. Systematic and positive error correction procedures lead to faster and more durable learning by maintaining a positive experience and fostering a childās trust in the teaching process. They learn that trying is always safe and that help is always available.
Bringing this Thoughtful Flow into Your Home
This approach's beauty lies in its rhythm, which you can seamlessly integrate into your family's daily routine. You can truly establish this as a habit. It isn't about rigid drills but about creating predictable and positive learning interactions. You can practice these short sequences while playing, turning a request for a blue Lego into a gentle teaching moment if your child grabs the yellow one.
Remember to keep sessions short, your energy positive, and your rewards motivating. You are your child's first and most important teacher. By adopting a process that is patient, structured, and always assumes competence, you are not just teaching; you are nurturing a confident, resilient learner.