The Effect of Applied Behavior Analysis (Discrete Trial Training) in Improving Sensory Skills in Mentessori Approach for Children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

The current research aimed at identifying the effect of using some applied behavior analysis techniques (i.e. discrete trial training) in improving sensory skills in Mentessori approach for children with Autism spectrum disorder , and identifying the continuity of the intervention effectiveness after the application and during the follow-up assessment. To achieve this aim, the research sample consisted of (10) children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with age ranges between (4-6) years old. Additionally, the following tools were utilized by the researcher: John Raven's Progressive Colored Matrices Test (prepared and rationed by Hassan, 2016), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition (ADOS-2), Sensory Skills Scale for Children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Prepared by the researcher), and the intervention based on some applied behavior analysis techniques (discrete trial training) prepared by the researcher. It were found statistically significant differences between mean scores of children with Autism spectrum disorder (the experimental sample) in both pre and post measurements of the intervention application on the sensory skills scale in the direction of post measurement. Moreover, no statistically significant differences were found between mean scores of children in the experimental group in both post and follow-up measurment on the sensory skills scale.