2. Discrimination
In Phase 3, the students learn to discriminate between
preferred and nonpreferred icons
The students learn to attend to the specific icon they are
exchanging
Both preferred and nonpreferred icons will be put on the
front of the book
The Four Step Error Correction is used to correct incorrect
exchanges in all of Phase 3
Correspondence Checks are completed when there are multiple
preferred icons on the book, to ensure the child is exchanging
the icon of the reinforcer they actually want
3. Nonpreferred vs. Neutral Items
A non-preferred item is something the student does not like
and does not interact with
Examples: paper clip, spoon, tissue
A neutral item is something the student uses appropriately or
engages with the item for more than 15 seconds but is not a
reinforcer
Examples: using a spoon to eat, wiping their nose with the
tissue
If you are using a non-preferred item and the student uses it
functionally, it becomes a neutral item
Do not use that item in discrimination
4. Homework Checkpoint 1
1. Give two examples of nonpreferred items.
2. How does a nonpreferred item become a neutral item?
5. Four Step Error Correction
MODEL
Showing the student the
correct icon
Gesture to the correct icon
Use the prompt hierarchy
PRACTICE
The student should hand the tutor
the correct icon
Tutor can block incorrect icons
and use prompts
After exchange, hold up icon and
label it
Do not give the student the
icon
6. Four Step Error Correction
DISTRACT
Distracting the student from
the placement of the icons
and to increase momentum
Flip the book over and have
the student complete and
easy ELO
REPEAT
Give the student another opportunity
to exchange the correct icon
Flip the book back over and allow for
an independent exchange
If correct, give them the toy with
minimal praise
If incorrect, go through the Four Step
Error Correction again
7. Tips for Four Step Error Correction
You can repeat the correction up to 3 times at most
Only take data on the initial trial
If you run the Four Step Error Correction, the trial
will be incorrect
Always finish the error correction with a successful trial
Remove all other icons from the book during the third
correction so only the preferred icon is left
Only switch icon positions after a correct response on
the initial trial
8. Tips for Four Step Error Correction
After 3 incorrect trials in discrimination, move onto a
different procedure
We do not want to punish responding
Code the procedure as “No MO”
Use as specific of icons as possible – do NOT use the
“toys” icons
Do a lot of preference assessments for both preferred and
nonpreferred items
9. Homework Checkpoint 2
3. What are the four steps of the Four Step Error Correction?
4. During the “Practice” phase, does the student receive the
reinforcer?
5. How many times can you repeat the Four Step Error
Correction in one trial?
6. What code will you ask the supervisor to use if you cannot
find motivation for a toy or if you run 3 trials in a row that
required the Four Step Error Correction?
10. Correspondence Checks
Correspondence checks are completed to make sure the
student is really discriminating between the icons and
choosing the icon that matches/corresponds with the
reinforcer they “want”
Only used when the student is required to discriminate
between preferred items
11. How to Conduct a Correspondence
Check
After the student exchanges the icon, hold the items up and
say, “Go ahead and take it.”
If the student choses the item that corresponds with the
icon, allow them to take the reinforcer and mark the trial
as correct
If the student choses an item that does not correspond
with the icon, block access to the item, move directly into
the Four Step Error Correction, and mark the trial as
incorrect
The item they reached for is the “correct” item
12. Tips for Conducting Correspondence
Checks
Do NOT name the item before conducting a Correspondence Check!
When in the common area, try to move items as close together as
possible
When in the booth, use a bin lid to easily present all of the items
You can block their second hand if they are reaching for more than
one item
If you start a trial with a Correspondence Check and have to run
the Four Step Error Correction, always run another Correspondence
Check during the final phase of the correction
13. Homework Checkpoint 3
7. What do you say to the student when running a
Correspondence Check after they exchanged the icon?
8. If the student chooses an item that does not correspond
with the icon, block access to the item, move directly into
the _____________, and mark the trial as ________.
9. True OR False: You should name the item before
conducting a Correspondence Check.
10.What can you use to help run Correspondence Checks
while working in the booth?
