The great detective Sherlock Holmes once said, “It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. ” This is especially true in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, a critical tool for parents newly navigating the journey of their child’s autism diagnosis and accepting their unique needs. At Heartlinks, we understand that data-driven strategies are the backbone of creating effective personalized treatment plans.
ABA therapy provides a structured, evidence-based approach to understanding and supporting children with autism. Data collection in the form of measurements is the foundation of ABA therapy. Widely recognized as the gold standard for autism therapy, ABA is evidence-based and very individualized, effectively addressing a wide range of needs. By assessing and tracking behavior changes, ABA professionals gain valuable data to help them identify patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of specific interventions in a child’s treatment plan.
What Are Discontinuous and Continuous Measurements?
Discontinuous and continuous measurements are the two major approaches to measurement in ABA therapy. The most significant difference between these methods is how data is collected and the detail of the captured data. Both approaches are unique and chosen based on available resources and the studied behavior.
Continuous Measurement
Continuous measurement involves live tracking, observation, and behavior recording during a designated period. Every instance of the behavior is recorded, making it especially useful for frequent or long-duration behaviors. Because continuous measurement provides a detailed account of behavior patterns, ABA professionals can analyze various factors such as frequency, duration, or intensity, thereby understanding the behavior comprehensively.
Discontinuous Measurement
Discontinuous measurement aims to gather a general understanding of an autistic child’s behavior. Rather than capturing every instance of a behavior, it focuses on sampling behavior at predetermined specific time intervals. This time-sampling procedure is used for various behaviors and skills, including repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping, finger-flicking, spinning, and scratching.
Also known as interval recording, ABA discontinuous measurement provides a glimpse of behavior, making the data collection process efficient and practical. In estimating the frequency or presence of behavior within these intervals, ABA professionals can gather valuable insights without needing continuous monitoring.
What Are the Different Types of Discontinuous Measurement?
There are three leading types of discontinuous measurement: whole interval recording, partial interval recording, and momentary time sampling. All three allow ABA professionals to collect data on behavior trends efficiently without continuous observation. No matter which approach a therapist uses, before the teaching can begin, they have to determine the three following tactics:
- Define the target behavior: Identify the behavior to be measured and ensure a distinguishable beginning and end to ensure accurate tracking.
- Determine the time for observation: The therapist must decide on the time required. Context and behavior can affect that determination.
- Divide the observation period into smaller amounts: Break down the total observation time into equal intervals.
Whole Interval Recording
Whole interval recording involves dividing an ABA therapy session into equal intervals and noting whether a behavior occurs for the entire interval. This approach can provide insight into behavior continuity.
For instance, during your child’s in-class ABA therapy, a therapist uses whole interval recording to monitor how often your child remains seated during a 15-minute history lesson. They divide the lesson into three 5-minute intervals and observe whether your child remains seated throughout each one. By documenting extended periods of sitting, the therapist can assess the effectiveness of interventions to increase the time your child can sit.
Partial Interval Recording
Partial interval recording includes observing if a target behavior occurs at any point within the predefined intervals, irrespective of its frequency or duration.
For example, let’s say your autistic teenager is currently working with a therapist regarding their harmful behavior and aggressive tendencies toward others. Using partial interval recording, the ABA specialist wants to track examples of these behaviors during a 30-minute at-home therapy session. The specialist divides the session into six 5-minute intervals and notes where your teen engages in these behaviors at any point during each interval.
Momentary Time Sampling
The discontinuous measurement of momentary time sampling requires monitoring and recording whether a behavior is present or absent at specifics during the observation period.
For example, imagine that a therapist is working with your autistic child, who has a sensory processing disorder that causes dramatic reactions to loud sounds. The specialist wants to evaluate the number of times your child reacts to loud noises in a 20-minute observation while attending a professional hockey game with frequent startling sounds. Using momentary tile sampling, the therapist sets a timer to prompt observation every two minutes and records whether the child reacts theatrically at every interval. Additionally, the therapist could provide you, the parent, with ABA techniques to practice at home. This, in turn, could help reinforce calming strategies and slowly desensitize your child to loud sounds in a supportive environment.
When Is Discontinued Measurement Used?
Discontinued measurement is incredibly beneficial for fostering desirable, socially appropriate behaviors while reducing less acceptable ones. It supports shaping, tacting, errorless learning, and errorless learning strategies.
Here are a few examples of ABA techniques and how discontinuous measurement can be effectively applied.
Shaping
Shaping involves teaching autistic children new skills or modifying existing behaviors by breaking complex tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. By gradually reinforcing these steps, shaping helps develop socially appropriate behaviors in a structured and effective way.
For example, suppose your nonverbal autistic child constantly paces back and forth. In this case, the therapist has identified that anxiety is the underlying reason for the pacing. The therapist can then introduce alternatives and use ABA discontinuous measurement to track progress. By sampling behaviors at predetermined intervals, the therapist can monitor improvements and assess the effectiveness of each new step.
Tacting
Tacting is an ABA therapy technique designed to help autistic children label events, objects, and actions. It also allows kids to express their needs and wants effectively, improving their capacity to communicate with you and others. Speech therapy often pairs well with tacting by focusing on the underlying articulation and language skills required for clear communication. To track the frequency of tacting behaviors, ABA specialists frequently use a discontinuous measurement approach of partial interval recording or momentary time sampling, allowing progress to be monitored without constant observation.
For example, a therapist teaches a child on the spectrum to verbally label objects in their bedroom, such as “bed” or “desk.” Using momentary time sampling, the therapist observes at the end of each 2-minute interval to see if the child has labeled any items. Correct responses are recorded as successes, helping the therapist track improvement and adjust teaching strategies.
Errorless Learning
The ABA teaching strategy of errorless learning limits the opportunities for errors by providing prompts and positive reinforcement to ensure correctness from the start and to encourage the likelihood of that behavior happening again. To maximize the effectiveness of reinforcement, preference assessments are often conducted beforehand to identify the child’s most motivating rewards.
Using the discontinuous measurement approaches of either partial interval recording or momentary time sampling, whether the child regularly engages in the correct behavior within predefined intervals.
For example, let’s say an ABA therapist is trying to help your autistic child improve their social skills. With each session, the therapist notes if the child responds correctly to prompts within specific intervals. After some time, the data will indicate whether your child’s social skills are improving and when the therapist can reduce prompts. Together, this will ensure mastery while maintaining efficiency in tracking progress.
Discrete Trial Training
The structured ABA therapy method of discrete trial training (DTT) is similar to shaping in that it breaks down larger tasks or skills into small parts, consists of teachable steps, and uses explicit instruction and reinforcement. Discontinuous measurement can complement DTT by efficiently tracking responses and behaviors during specific intervals, ensuring data collection is manageable without observing every trial.
For example, say a child with low-functioning autism is engaging in inappropriate sensory-seeking behaviors, such as licking objects or excessively rubbing their hands on rough surfaces, behaviors associated with under-stimulation. These actions are a form of stimming, which helps this child self-soothe and regulate their emotions. Still, the goal is to redirect these behaviors to more socially appropriate sensory activities, such as playing with a fidget spinner. Discontinuous measurement, such as partial interval recording, can track how often the child engages in the desired behavior, providing the necessary data to monitor progress and, in turn, adjust strategies.
Benefits and Limitations of Discontinuous Measurement
The benefits of discontinuous measurement include the following:
- Efficiency: Unlike continuous measurement, discontinuous measurement saves time and resources because it records behavior within intervals, often making it more practical.
- Increased Observer Independence: ABA discontinuous measurement reduces the need for constant observation, enabling more independent data collection. Therefore, therapists can focus on other tasks when they are not recording.
- Simplicity: Due to its interval-based approach, discontinuous measurement is simple to implement and train observers.
The limitations of discontinuous measurement include the following:
- Loss of detailed data: Because discontinuous measurement relies on sampling behavior, it doesn’t provide as much detail as continuous measurement. The infrequent or rapid changes in behavior within intervals may be overlooked.
- Behavior patterns have a limited analysis: Discontinuous measurement may not offer an all-encompassing understanding of the patterns and deviations in a child’s behavior over time. This is particularly true regarding behaviors that occur in short bursts or fluctuate rapidly.
- The chance of overestimation and underestimation: Depending on the behavior frequency and the interval length, the discontinuous measurement may cause either under or overestimation of the actual occurrence of the behavior.
Understanding the neurodevelopment condition of autism begins with recognizing its causes and impact on the human brain.
Heartlinks ABA: Taking the First Step Toward Your Child’s Success
Early intervention is vital in supporting children on the spectrum, and discontinuous measurement plays a leading role in this process by offering an efficient and practical way to monitor behavior trends, evaluate the effectiveness of ABA interventions, and steer treatment plans.
With locations across the country, Heartlinks offers an extensive range of ABA therapy services to help families address their children’s unique needs and confidently work toward their goals. Whether you are dealing with a misdiagnosis, questioning potential autistic symptoms in your toddler, or looking for the recommended ABA therapy, Heartlinks can help. Contact us today to learn how we can support your child’s development and success.