Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Online Tutorial
	Module 7: DTT and Naturalistic Teaching Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) It appears that PRT and incidental teaching share many of the same principles, particularly being a child-directed intervention and taking place in a child’s natural environment. The goal of PRT is to create learning opportunities in a child’s natural environments, using the child’s interests and individual characteristics. Additionally, this method focuses on teaching “pivotal areas.” Pivotal areas are skills that, when taught, lead to improvements in other skills (without much additional teaching). Once skills in pivotal areas are mastered, there are often widespread improvements noted. So, teaching skills in these pivotal areas is much more effective than teaching every small skill individually. Teaching pivotal areas can give you more "bang for your buck" when incorporated into an ABA program. The five pivotal areas that have currently been identified are motivation, responsivity to multiple cues, self-management, self-initiations, and empathy. Let's look at the pivotal areas in more detail. Note: I honestly believe that PRT-based interventions are the future of ABA programs for children with autism. I love the child-centered approach that (in my opinion) focuses on more holistic/natural child development. PRT also empowers parents to blend ABA into their family routines and home life. Don't be afraid if some of the pivotal areas sound too technical or complicated. The resources listed here will clearly explain ways to help you use pivotal areas to help your child. Please go ahead and click here to have the resource page open in a new window before you go on with the tutorial. Next --> Pivotal Areas Note: Any opinions expressed about PRT in this module are those of Positively Autism. The developers of PRT are not affiliated with Positively Autism and do not endorse Positively Autism or this tutorial in any way.