A secondary target in ABA teaching is additional information presented during a trial for a directly taught primary target. In classic instructive feedback, the learner does not have to respond to the secondary target and receives no response-specific feedback for it. A later probe checks learning. If staff start prompting, correcting, or requiring the secondary response, they have changed the procedure and should document a direct-teaching plan.
Define a secondary target ABA teaching uses
Name the exact stimulus, statement, skill relation, presentation location, exposure schedule, and later probe. State the primary target and response requirement beside it so roles remain clear.
Separate common look-alikes
A prompt helps evoke the primary response. Error correction follows an error. An incidental comment may have no planned probe. A future goal becomes direct teaching when the team requires, prompts, or corrects its response. Labels should follow the actual procedure.
Use the review carefully
The instructive-feedback review describes primary targets as directly taught and secondary targets as presented without direct teaching. Its reviewed evidence suggested possible efficiency gains for some learners while identifying substantial research needs.
Keep goals qualified and accessible
The BACB outline covers selecting goals, skill assessments, teaching, and evaluation. The Ethics Code addresses involvement and assent when applicable. ASHA supports AAC access during presentation and probes.
A practical example
During direct teaching of the word bicycle, Ezra hears, 'A bicycle has pedals,' as a secondary statement. Ezra is never asked to repeat it. At a later probe, Ezra answers 1/3 pedal questions. The other two remain unlearned secondary targets, not errors during teaching.
Questions families can use
Is any response required? Are prompts or correction given? What makes the target meaningful? When is it probed? What happens if it remains unlearned? Does it become a new goal only after review?
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
