Two Possible Mistakes in the Selection of Target Behaviors

In this important article from 1979, the authors summarized the literature on programming for difficult-to-teach learners including some learners with autism and other developmental disabilities. One of the important implications of that article was that recently (at the time) new teaching procedures had been developed that made certain types of skills possible to teach that previously most people had thought weren’t possible just a few years earlier.

One of the prominent examples in that paper was research on teaching learners with disabilities to tell the difference between a circle and ellipse. It took seven program revisions until the researchers found a successful procedure that was effective.

I think there are two valuable lessons we can learn here. First, recognize that we still sometimes assume that it’s impossible to teach difficult skills to certain learners. Sure, the first thing you attempt or the second thing you attempt might not be successful. But if you are using science-based procedures, what people think is impossible often becomes doable. As the researchers discovered, it can require many program revisions before finding an effective procedure. Don’t give up too easily.

Second, in addition to deciding if something is possible to teach, we also have to decide if it is worth teaching. Articles like teaching the difference between a circle and ellipse are important for the scientific knowledge gained by the field, not for any significant improvement made in the lives of the people who learned to differentiate between the two shapes in those studies. It is unlikely their lives were any better as a result of learning the difference between a circle and ellipse. This is also still a problem today. Frequently, in schools we are tasked with helping learners with targets that no one thinks is going to make a difference in the student’s life. Yet, we develop those teaching programs anyway simply because it is part of the curriculum. There is limited time and limited resources to make a socially significant difference–we can’t afford the waste. It’s OK if people don’t agree.

Behavior analytic services should only be delivered in the context of a professional relationship. Nothing written in this blog should be considered advice for any specific individual. The purpose of the blog is to share my experience, not to provide treatment. Please get advice from a professional before making changes to behavior analytic services being delivered. Nothing in this blog including comments or correspondence should be considered an agreement for Dr. Barry D. Morgenstern to provide services or establish a professional relationship outside of a formal agreement to do so. I attempt to write this blog in “plain English” and avoid technical jargon whenever possible. But all statements are meant to be consistent with behavior analytic literature, practice, and the professional code of ethics. If, for whatever reason, you think I’ve failed in the endeavor, let me know and I’ll consider your comments and make revisions, if appropriate. Feedback is always appreciated as I’m always trying to Poogi.