Frequently Asked Questions

1. My computer skills are not very good. Will I be able to use the DT Trainer?
2. Do I need a touch screen?
3. I have installed the Discrete Trial Trainer. Now what do I do?
4. What do other customer's say about the Discrete Trial Trainer?
5. What type of computer do I need to install the software?

DT Trainer Overview

Thank you for your interest in the DT Trainer. You will find the DT Trainer to be a robust independent virtual tutor for your child or students. You will be happy to see that the product is designed to be an amazing value. This is a large effective product for a very reasonable price. We charge enough to keep evolving and expanding the product without charging so much that it is not affordable.

The DT Trainer was created based on methods developed to educate our most difficult to educate individuals: children with autism. However, the DT Trainer's configurability also makes it beneficial for children with other learning disabilities, and even with typically developing but young children. Behavioral methods have been proven to be effective for teaching individuals including those with autism.

The software motivates individuals to perform tasks which they may not want to learn or may find difficult to learn. There are hundreds of colorful, interesting, and fun reinforcers to pick from which engage even difficult to motivate individuals. You can even add your own reinforcers! The DT Trainer breaks down learning into the appropriate steps for low functioning to high functioning students. The DT Trainer is especially designed for learners that have one or more of the following characteristics:

developmentally between the ages 2-9 yrs (limitation of current content)
easily distracted or overloaded
not well self directed or motivated
have difficulty following directions
require moderate to substantial repetition
need maintenance of previously learned materials

Designed for Independent Use

Even individuals that require one-on-one teaching can usually become independent learners on the DT Trainer.

eliminates or reduces the cost or time of a one-on-one teacher, therapist, or parent while the child is using the software
allows parents and teachers to work on topics the DT Trainer can not teach, help generalize, or maintain
frees parents and teachers to attend to other responsibilities while the child is engaged in a productive educational activity

Note: Low functioning or young users may need a touch screen or switch input device.

Supports Variety of Input Devices

The DT Trainer supports mouse, touch screen, double switch, and single switch. These input devices help facilitate a wide range of student abilities.

Individualized Instruction

The DT Trainer is highly adjustable to accommodate the needs of the individual learner and the preferences of the teacher or parent. The configurability within the DT Trainer allows the user to adapt the software to accommodate the needs of individuals ranging from low functioning or early learners to typically developing, but young learners.

Collects Data and Provides Reports

The DT Trainer collects data on each trial. Reports can be used for evaluating the learner's progress and performance, and to modify their programs.

Broad Scope of Content Programs

The DT Trainer is currently installed with over 125 content programs. Even more content programs are in development.

Skill Areas: Matching, Identification, Counting, Phonics, Classification, Sequencing, Spatial Relations, Math, Time, Money, Word Analysis, Wh Questions, Word Recognition
Example Programs: objects, colors, numbers, shapes, body parts, addition, money counting, time recognition, months, survival words, synonyms, and math word problems

Additional Benefits for Low Functioning Students

Besides the primary benefit of learning the topics of the various content programs, other possible benefits are:

helps generalize or maintain information
converts unproductive or self-stim time into productively spent time
improves self esteem - child realizes that he can learn on his own
increases ability to stay on task

Great Reinforcers

The DT Trainer is installed with hundreds of multimedia reinforcers to motivate the student. Reinforcers range from basic cause and effect; to games and other interactive activities; to stimulating visuals, music, animations, and movie clips. The program also allows you to add your own reinforcers such as movies, games, or even web pages. For example, it is easy to add a movie of a child doing a favorite activity. This reinforcer can be very powerful for a young or low functioning individual. The reinforcement rate is adjustable to provide the appropriate level of reinforcement, and the reinforcers can be changed periodically to keep the program interesting. Many of the cause and effect reinforcers can be used to build basic mouse or touch screen skills, and there is even a reinforce-only mode for very young children or very low functioning individuals to help build basic interactions with the computer. There is an impressive set of reinforcers already in the product, and AES is expanding the set to continue providing the most powerful reinforcement system available!

Complements Variety of Classrooms & Settings

The DT Trainer complements a variety of school & home educational programs:

Autism classes (ABA - DT & VB, TEACCH, and eclectic)
Self contained TMD & EMD classes
Home based ABA - DT & VB and eclectic programs
At Risk 4 year old preschool
Regular education kindergarten and preschool classes

Getting Started

Once you have received your installation CD, place it in your CD-ROM drive, and you should be automatically presented with the installation interface. To install the DT Trainer, click the "Installation" button, and then the "Install the DT Trainer" button. You will not need the CD in the computer after installation, so you may install any number of systems with a single CD.

The product will fully run for 30 days on each system, which allows you to evaluate the product and which gives you time to register a purchased copy. Unregistered installations will continue to run except for direct instruction. This means that unregistered installations can be used for support and planning purposes.

Teachers may find it convenient to have an installation on their computer or a home system where they do their planning. Administrators and support staff may find it useful to have an unregistered copy on their computer