Teaching Supervisory Skills to Behavior Analysts and Improving Therapist-Delivered Discrete Trial Teaching

Cruz et al. (2023) built a step-by-step supervision package for BCBAs. The package teaches how to watch, coach, and give feedback during DTT sessions.

They used a multiple-baseline design across supervisors. Each BCBA learned the protocol, then the team tracked both supervisor and therapist DTT scores.

After training, supervisors used more precise coaching moves. Their therapists also ran cleaner trials with quicker prompts and better reinforcement.

Both groups stayed above baseline levels, showing the package helped the whole team.

Shin et al. (2021) showed parents can hit DTT mastery after a short BST package. Cruz moves the same logic up one level: train the supervisor, not the parent, and the gains cascade to therapists.

Downs et al. (2008) proved feedback pushes instructor accuracy above 90%. Cruz adds a full supervision script so BCBAs can give that feedback on purpose, not by chance.

Rasing et al. (1992) already used BST to coach preschool teachers and doubled kids’ social play. Cruz updates the idea for ABA clinics and for the DTT context.

If you supervise RBTs, you now have a ready-made package that lifts both your coaching and their DTT in one shot. No extra certificates, no long workshops. Run the protocol, score a few trials, and watch the ripple effect. Your Monday just got easier.