To compare DTT and NET data, first decide whether the response, cue, opportunity, prompt rules, outcome, setting, and observation window are similar enough for comparison. Report raw counts and percentages for each format, plus exposure, invalid events, staff fidelity, and client experience. DTT usually arranges trials; NET samples or arranges activity-based opportunities. Unequal opportunity types and difficulty can make a simple accuracy comparison misleading.
How to compare DTT and NET data fairly
Use the same functional response definition when possible. Describe each natural or arranged cue, response window, prompt timing, consequence, ordinary support, people, materials, and setting. If these differ materially, report parallel series instead of one pooled rate.
Lock opportunity denominators
DTT accuracy uses valid arranged trials. NET accuracy uses predeclared eligible activity opportunities. Keep spontaneous initiations, adult-arranged moments, modeled attempts, prompted responses, withdrawals, and invalid partner or material events separate.
Include exposure and burden
Report how many sessions, minutes, people, settings, and examples produced each series. Add latency, duration, distress, preference, and effort when relevant. State whether observation covered the full activity or selected segments. Also identify whether the same participants encountered comparable task demands. One format may have fewer but more meaningful opportunities, so opportunity volume should remain visible.
Avoid causal shortcuts
The CDC page provides high-level distinctions, and the naturalistic review describes several naturalistic language approaches. The BACB outline covers trial-based, free-operant, integrity, and evaluation concepts. None validates a cross-format percentage as a causal comparison.
A practical example
Mara requests a missing tool independently in 7 of 10 arranged DTT trials and 3 of 5 eligible workshop events. The raw rates are 70% and 60%, but partners, materials, timing, and opportunity difficulty differ. The clinician keeps both series and investigates the conditions.
Questions families can use
Are response definitions matched? Who created each opportunity? Which prompts differ? How much exposure occurred? Are invalid partner events visible? Does the comparison support description or causation?
Sources
- Association for Behavior Analysis International, Basic Principles in Behavior Analysis
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, BCBA Test Content Outline, 6th edition
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Treatment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- LeBlanc and colleagues, Naturalistic Language Strategies for Children With Autism
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Finni resources
