Simultaneous Discrimination Training

1. Simultaneous Discrimination Training Overview

In plain English, a simultaneous discrimination requires a person to tell the difference between two or more stimuli that are present at the same time.

hint

An easy way to think of this is that simultaneous discriminations are like multiple choice tests.

EXAMPLE

When asked, “Where’s the cup?” in the presence of a cup and a fork, the patient responds by pointing to the cup and not the fork.

In simultaneous discrimination training, a field of stimuli is presented with the instruction. In simultaneous discrimination training, S^D examples would include “Touch,” “Put with same,” “Give me,” and “Point to.”

In this training, we list seven steps in situations with “no known” targets and four steps in those with “known” targets. The next two sections will break each of these down and explain how and when to use them.

term to know

Simultaneous Discrimination Training

A field of stimuli is presented with the instruction

2. Seven Steps for “No Known” Targets

Seven steps are used when there are “no known” targets. What does this mean? It means that the patient does not have any mastered skills or targets within this skill set. The seven steps process is only used when introducing programs that have no mastered, or known, targets.

hint

Some patients do not need to move through all seven steps. Your BCBA will provide individual guidance.

At this time, we are going to introduce two targets at the same time (we will tell you why in the end).

step by step

Step	Description	Example
1	MT Target 1 Alone First, we are going to introduce the first target in simultaneous discrimination training. In our example, Target 1 will be red. This will always be the first step in every discrimination training. We mass trial alone first to teach the patient what the target is.
2	MT Target 1 vs. Unknown Distracters Blue is an unknown distracter because it has not been learned. We then use unknown distracters rather than known distracters to ensure that we are teaching proper discrimination. If we were to use known distracters, they would just be guessing what the right answer would be.
3	MT Target 2 Alone Now, we have done all we can with Target 1 Red. It is time to introduce our second Target. In this case, Target 2 will be Green. Again, we MT alone first to teach the patient what the target is.
4	MT Target 2 vs. Unknown Distracters Yellow is an unknown distracter because it has not been learned. Again, we use an unknown distracter rather than a known distracter to ensure we are teaching proper discrimination.
5	MT Target 1 with Target 2 as a Distracter Next, we are bringing back Target 1 and using Target 2 as a “known distracter.” We are only asking about T1: Red, not T2: Green.
6	MT Target 2 with Target 1 as a Distracter We are only asking about T2: Green, not T1: Red.
7	RR Target 1 vs. Target 2 Now we ask about both in random order. This will always be the last step in every discrimination training.

big idea

Once both targets have met mastery criteria of two times at 80% or better in random rotation with a first trial correct response, they are considered “mastered” or “learned.”

Here is a summary of the seven steps:

Now that we have two mastered targets, we can move to the four steps.

3. Four Steps for “Known” Targets

The four steps process is used when there are “known” targets. This means that the patient has some mastered targets within this skill set. It is used to teach all remaining targets in the program.

At this time, we are going to introduce one target. For this example, Target 3 is Blue.

step by step

Step	Description	Example
1	MT Target 3 Alone Remember, Target 3 is Blue. We mass trial alone first to teach the patient what the target is.
2	MT Target 3 vs. Unknown Distracters Yellow is an unknown distracter because it has not been learned. We then use unknown distracters rather than known distracters to ensure that we are teaching proper discrimination. If we were to use known distracters, they would just be guessing what the right answer would be.
3	MT Target 3 vs. Known Distracters This is when we bring back Red and Green for Trial 1, 2, and 3.
4	RR Target 3 vs. Previously Mastered Targets Now we ask about all in random order, but we should focus on Blue to ensure we meet mastery criteria. Once Target 3 meets mastery criteria of two times at 80% or better in random rotation with a first trial correct response, it is considered “mastered” or “learned.”