Pivotal Response Training
Pivotal Response Training (PRT) is an intervention technique based on the principles of applied behavior analysis. The intervention identifies certain behaviors for treatment that will produce simultaneous changes in many other behaviors. "Pivotal behaviors" are thought to be central to wide areas of functioning and positive changes in pivotal behaviors should be widespread effects on many other behaviors. Two important pivotal behaviors addressed in using this technique are motivation and responsibility to multiple cues. The program works to increase motivation while increasing important skills, typically language acquisition, social interaction, and play skills, in hard to teach children with autistic spectrum disorders. The training uses the following components: Motivation, Multiple Cues, Prompting, Maintenance tasks, Turn taking, Contingent Reinforcement, Reinforce Attempts, and Direct Response-Reinforcer Relationship.