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Direct Instruction (DI)

A systematic approach to teaching using a sequenced instructional package with scripted protocols or lessons. It emphasizes teacher and student dialogue through choral and independent student responses and employs systematic and explicit error corrections to promote mastery and generalization.

Evidence Based
Ages: Skip to Evidence

Steps for Implementation

Note: This practice is one of five strategies newly identified as an evidence-based practice (EBP) in the most recent literature review and report on EBPs published in 2020 by the National Clearinghouse for Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP). As stated on the TARGET page on research, TSLAT aligns its intervention content with the AFIRM modules created and published by the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders (NPDC) at the University of North Carolina’s Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG). The FPG Autism Team is currently developing new AFIRM modules to reflect the recent research and address the five new EBPs which are: 1) Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 2) Behavioral Momentum Intervention, 3) Direct Instruction, 4) Music-Mediated Intervention, and 5) Sensory Integration®. Once the new AFIRM modules are published, TSLAT will update the TARGET intervention pages for these EBPs, including steps for implementation and a webinar on each new EBP.

Research and Outcomes

Research Summary

Age Range: 3-18

Skills: Communication, cognitive, school readiness, academic/pre-academic

Settings: Home, school

Evidence Rating: Evidence Based

The information found in the Research Summary table is updated following a literature review of new research and these ages, skills, and settings reflects information from this review.

Outcomes Matrix

The Outcomes Matrix shows outcome areas by age for which this evidence based practice is effective
Age: 0-5 6-14 15-22
Academic/Pre-academic Yes Yes
Challenging/Interfering Behavior
Cognitive Yes
Communication Yes Yes Yes
Joint Attention
Mental Health
Motor
Play
School Readiness Yes
Self-determination
Social
Vocational
More about Intervention Outcomes

Direct instruction (DI) is a systematic approach to teaching and a sequenced instructional package that utilizes scripted protocols or lessons, emphasizes teacher and student dialogue through choral and independent student responses, and employs systematic and explicit error corrections to promote mastery and generalization. Direct Instruction is usually provided to small groups of learners and includes brisk pacing, student responses, explicit signals to cue student responses, correction procedures for incorrect or non-responses, and modeling correct responses. Instruction is sequenced so that students are required to master levels in a pre-specified order before moving to the next level. DI interventions can be used to support learners in acquiring literacy and mathematics skills and are often used in conjunction with other evidence-based practices including prompting, reinforcement, modeling, and visual supports (Steinbrenner, et al., 2020).