Research Spotlight: Digital DTT Efficacy with FirstWork

In a controlled, single-participant study, a 3-year-old learner with ASD moved from near-zero correct responses under traditional, flashcard-based Discrete Trial Training (DTT) to rapid mastery of three receptive-identification targets “foot,” “dog,” and “bus” using the FirstWork app. This study was implemented by the Possibilities ABA team in conjunction with FirstWork and faculty from Augustana University.

Research Questions
  1. Acquisition: How does FirstWork affect the rate and level of correct responding for novel receptive-identification targets?
  2. Efficiency: What are the trial-count, session-duration, and latency metrics associated with mastery using the app?
  3. Skill Maintenance & Latency: Once acquired, how rapidly does the learner respond to mastered targets?
Participant
  • Age & Diagnosis: 3-year-old male, diagnosed with ASD, limited listener discrimination skills at study onset.
  • Verbal Repertoire: Limited verbal repertoire as assessed using the PPVT-5.
Setting & Implementers
  • Setting: ABA clinic therapy rooms during scheduled DTT sessions.
  • Implementers: Trained Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) and Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA).
Experimental Design
  • Design: Multiple-baseline across three verbal stimuli (foot, dog, bus).
  • Baseline: Traditional picture-card DTT; no digital supports.
  • Intervention: FirstWork app presenting a 4-item array of photographic exemplars per trial, automated replayable audio SD, and full error-correction (repeat SD, re-presentation, guided prompt if needed).
Dependent Variables
  • Accuracy: First-trial correct selection expressed as percentage per session.
  • Trials to Mastery: Cumulative number of trials required to reach ≥90% correct over three consecutive sessions.
    • Session Duration: Total minutes per target to mastery.
      • Response Latency: Seconds from array onset to correct selection (mean and median).
Time Metrics:
  • Session Duration: Total minutes per target to mastery.
    • Response Latency: Seconds from array onset to correct selection (mean and median).
Data Collection & Reliability
  • Data Recording: Automatically logged by FirstWork; cross-verified by RBT/BCBA.
  • Acquisition: All targets transitioned from 0–10% baseline accuracy to ≥90% within 8–12 FirstWork sessions.
  • Efficiency: “Bus” achieved mastery in under 7 minutes and 60 trials; “dog,” the most challenging, required ~27 minutes and 145 trials.
  • Response Latency: Low median latencies (3 s) indicate fluent responding post-mastery; elevated mean latencies reflect instructional error-correction trials.
Limitations
  • Single-Subject Design: Results require replication across multiple learners to establish generality.
  • Short-Term Assessment: Maintenance and generalization measurements could be expanded over a longer time horizon.
Future Research
  • Group Designs & RCTs: Compare FirstWork directly to traditional DTT across larger samples.
  • Expanded Skill Domains: Evaluate efficacy for matching-to-sample, feature analysis, and foundational language programs.
  • Parent implementation: Digital programs can be done at home increasing the learning opportunities in each day.
Discussion & Implications
  • Rapid Skill Acquisition: Digital DTT with automated prompts accelerates learning compared to typical paper-card formats, reducing therapist prep time and trial-delivery load.
  • High Procedural Fidelity: Automated error-correction ensures consistent implementation, mitigating human error.
  • Resource Optimization: Clinics can allocate saved time and material costs to expanded caseloads or program development, addressing growing waitlists.