Training Individuals to Implement Discrete Trials with Fidelity: A Meta-Analysis

Discrete trial training is a popular teaching method for individuals with autism, but it is not easily implemented with fidelity due to its complexity. This is the first meta-analysis of single-case experimental design studies to quantify the impact of behavioral skills training on individuals’ ability to implement discrete trials with fidelity. Furthermore, this meta-analysis examines the four training methods that make up behavioral skills training—feedback, instruction, modeling, and rehearsal—to determine the “active ingredients” of behavioral skills training. A total of 46 single-case experimental design studies are included in this meta-analysis. Hierarchical linear modeling, which has the ability to analyze clustered data, is the meta-analytic technique used to estimate the effectiveness of behavioral skills training across studies. Results show that behavioral skills training has a statistically significant positive effect on discrete trial training implementation fidelity; therefore, behavior skills training is recommended for discrete trial training implementation instruction.