By Matt Harrington, BCBA · Behaviorist Book Club · Clinical decision guide

Structured Discrete Trial Training vs. Naturalistic Group Instruction for Teaching Sharing

In This Guide

Side-by-Side Comparison
Clinical Decision Framework
Key Takeaways

One of the most consequential decisions a behavior analyst makes is not just what intervention to use, but how to approach the clinical question in the first place. For sharing, the difference between an evidence-based, individualized approach and a traditional, protocol-driven one can significantly impact outcomes.

This guide lays out the key factors side by side to support your clinical decision-making.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Evidence-Based Approach	Traditional Approach
Social Authenticity	DTT: Sharing with a therapist in a clinic room lacks the social reciprocity and natural motivation of peer sharing; social reinforcement may be contrived	Naturalistic Group: Sharing with peers in group play contexts closely approximates the natural conditions under which sharing occurs and maintains in everyday life
Instructional Control	DTT: High — antecedents, prompts, and consequences can be precisely controlled; ideal for initial skill acquisition and for learners who need intensive prompting	Naturalistic Group: Lower — group dynamics introduce variables that are harder to control; requires well-trained facilitators and proactive arrangement of sharing opportunities
Generalization Probability	DTT: Skills must be explicitly transferred to natural settings through planned generalization activities; spontaneous transfer to peer interactions is not guaranteed	Naturalistic Group: Skills are trained in peer contexts from the start; generalization to similar peer settings is more likely without additional explicit programming
Prerequisite Requirements	DTT: Can begin with minimal social prerequisites; the controlled environment compensates for limited peer attention or social motivation	Naturalistic Group: Requires sufficient attending to peers, basic waiting skills, and tolerating peer proximity to benefit from group instruction without high rates of problem behavior
Data Collection Quality	DTT: Precise step-level data on each sharing exchange is straightforward to collect in structured individual sessions	Naturalistic Group: Data collection is more challenging; requires well-designed event recording tools and trained observers who can track target learner behavior within group activity
Social Reinforcer Development	DTT: Therapist praise may not function as an effective conditioned reinforcer for peer approval; social motivation development may be limited	Naturalistic Group: Peer social reinforcers (reciprocal sharing, verbal acknowledgment, continued play inclusion) are the natural consequences; their occurrence conditions learners to respond to them

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Clinical Decision Framework

Use this framework when approaching sharing in your practice:

Step 1: Is intervention warranted?

Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?

YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor

Step 2: Have you conducted an individualized assessment?

A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.

YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first

Step 3: Is the individual/caregiver involved in decision-making?

Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.

YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making

Step 4: Verify your approach

✓ Is your intervention matched to the assessed function?
✓ Are you using the least restrictive effective approach?
✓ Is assent being monitored throughout?
✓ Do you have a data collection plan?
✓ Is there a plan for generalization and maintenance?

Key Takeaways

Individualization is non-negotiable. The best approach for one individual may not be appropriate for another, even with the same topography.
Assessment drives intervention. Function-based approaches consistently outperform topography-based ones in the literature.
Ethics are active, not passive. Ethical practice requires ongoing analysis, not just initial compliance.
Document everything. Both the decision to intervene and the decision not to intervene require documentation and justification.
Stay current. The evidence base in this area is evolving. What was standard practice five years ago may not reflect current best practices.

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Clinical Disclaimer

All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.