Direct Instruction belongs in serious BCBA study because it shapes whether behavior-analytic decisions stay useful once they leave a clean training example and enter language assessment, teaching sessions, caregiver coaching, and natural communication routines. In Direct Instruction, for this course, the practical stakes show up in clearer case conceptualization, better instructional targets, and stronger generalization, not in abstract discussion alone.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Verbal Beginnings
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Join Free →Direct instruction (DI) is "a model for teaching that emphasizes well-developed and carefully planned lessons designed around small learning increments and clearly defined and prescribed teaching tasks. It is based on the theory that clear instruction eliminating misinterpretations can greatly improve and accelerate learning." With these pre-planned lessons, therapists can read scripts that effectively present material with multiple opportunities to respond that also teach critical conditional discriminations in learning materials.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1.5 | General |
| COA | 1.5 | — |
James began working in the field of behavior analysis in 2012 at Johns Hopkins under Maranda Trahan Ph.D., and continued working in the field as a behavior therapist until achieving his board certification as a behavior analyst (BCBA) in May of 2019. His interest in behavioral treatments for sleep deficits began in early 2021 while receiving supervision from Dr. Keira Moore, Ph.D. Throughout 2021, he researched the topic and conducted sleep treatment under Dr. Moore to remediate deficits around sleep problems with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. James achieved his behavioral sleep specialist certification in January of 2025 through “The Sleep Collective” with Emily Baron, MS, BCBA.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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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.