Instructive feedback vs error correction describes two different events. Instructive feedback presents a secondary target without requiring a response or correcting that target. Error correction follows an incorrect or missing response to a directly taught target and provides the planned teaching consequence. A trial can contain both for different targets, but the team should preserve timing, target ownership, prompts, consequences, access, and data separately.
Compare instructive feedback error correction procedures
For each event, name the target, antecedent, required response, response window, prompt, correction, consequence, and data field. The sequence on paper should match what the learner experiences.
Avoid a hidden correction
If a learner responds to the secondary target and staff say no, prompt a different answer, repeat until correct, or withhold the next activity, the event now carries correction or a response requirement. Document the changed procedure and its authority.
Use research definitions
The review defines secondary-target presentation without a required response or response-specific feedback. The schedule study compares how often that secondary presentation occurs, not how often errors are corrected.
Preserve ethical safeguards
The Ethics Code addresses understandable communication, involvement, assent when applicable, risk, and evaluation. ASHA supports continual AAC access. The BACB outline supplies prompting and error-correction examination scope.
A practical example
Mira labels a bus incorrectly during the primary trial and receives the planned correction. After a later correct primary response, staff say, 'A bus has a route,' as secondary information. Mira is not asked to answer. The record assigns each event to its actual target.
Questions families can use
Which response was required? Did an error occur? Was feedback response-contingent? Could the learner decline or pause? Are primary correction and secondary exposure shown in separate data fields?
Sources
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, BCBA Test Content Outline, 6th edition
- Nottingham, Vladescu, and Kodak, Incorporating Additional Targets Into Learning Trials for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Nottingham and colleagues, The Influence of Instructive Feedback Presentation Schedule
- Morton and colleagues, Emergent Control for Play Responses Following Instructive Feedback
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Finni resources
