Pivotal Response Training® and Autism Treatment
What is Pivotal Response Training®?
Pivotal Response Training® (also known as PRT® or Pivotal Response Treatment®) is a naturalistic, behavioral training approach based on the principles of ABA to help train and treat children with autism. The autism training program was developed by Dr. Robert Koegel and Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel at UCSB (University of California, Santa Barbara). Pivotal Response Training® is a registered trademark of the Koegel Autism Consultants, LLC.
Pivotal Response Training® offers an autism solution that is evidence-based, empirically validated and scientifically documented. And that’s important. Because there are literally thousands of treatments and training options for autism – many of which won’t help. Some of which can actually do a child with autism harm. If you’re looking for an autism training solution – Pivotal Response Training® could be the answer
The positive effects of Pivotal Response Training® as an evidenced-based autism treatment were first documented at UCSB (the University of California in Santa Barbara). But the positive results have been replicated at other universities and clinics, which have used the Pivotal Response Training® method. Decades of research have gone into this training method for autism, showing that the procedures used work in homes, classrooms and natural community settings.
The basic premise behind Pivotal Response Training® is to use the child’s natural environment to create learning situations that result in improved social skills and communication skills.
The research proves out that there are four key “pivotal” behaviors. Pivotal behaviors are those that, when mastered, evoke positive changes that are widespread across a broad spectrum of other important behaviors associated with language and social interaction.
When a child with autism learns (through Pivotal Response Training®) these key pivotal behaviors, it produces improvement in a variety of non-targeted behaviors including more effective social and interactive behavior, better communication skills, heightened autonomy, self-learning and the ability to generalize new learning. The four key pivotal behaviors that have been scientifically documented by Drs. Robert and Lynn Koegel include:
• Being response to multiple cues
• Motivation
• Self-management
• Self-initiation
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Helpful Information
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT)® For Autism
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#1 (BEST SELLER): Pivotal Response Treatment®: Using Motivation as a Pivotal Response
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#2: Teaching the Pivotal Behavior of Initiations to Children with Autism
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#3: Using PRT to
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To illustrate, here is a very simple example of Pivotal Response Training® in action:
1. Find a positive, fun activity that the child is interested in (i.e.; playing on a swing).
2. Prompt the child for a response so that the teacher can evoke the desired behavior (i.e.; stop the child from swinging, and then ask them “swing?”.
3. If the child gives the desired response – “swing!” – then push them on the swing (positive reinforcement).
4. If the child does not give the desired response (i.e.; no answer), then ask them again “swing?” until you achieve the desired behavior. The instructor should not give the child the desired behavior (swing them) unless the child correctly responds to the stimulus (“swing!”)
Note that the instruction should be very clear, should be focused (no interruptions) and should be appropriate to what the child is doing. For example, you wouldn’t stop the child on the swing and ask “cookie?”.
Of course, this is a very basic example. The goal is that the pivotal behavior you’re training the child in should be developmentally appropriate. You’ll need to reinforce previously learned behaviors (i.e.; swing) with new, more challenging behaviors as the child progresses. Other options in asking a question or trying to solicit a response as part of Pivotal Response Training® is to include child choice. For example, while playing with the child with a set of multi-colored blocks, ask the child “blue block or red block?”. You’re giving them the power to make the decision. When they give an appropriate response (“blue block!”), give them praise (positive reinforcement) and hand them the blue block.
For more information on Pivotal Response Training® (also commonly referred to as PRT® or Pivotal Response Treatment®), The following links may prove helpful:
Drs. Lynn and Robert Koegel also offer Pivotal Response Training® workshops and a highly regarded autism training certification program. Click here for information on the Pivotal Response Training® certification.
