Press a switch to make something happen
When to use this goal
For young students with significant motor needs who are learning that a switch press makes something happen on a computer, tablet, or toy. Present levels from the OT and AT specialist decide the switch type and placement.
- Baseline
- Offer 10 chances with the activity stopped and record presses with no prompt, after a tap, or with guidance. Try the switch at more than one body site with the OT first.
- Tips
- Use activities the student enjoys and that are age-respectful as the student grows. This is a first step toward switch scanning for schoolwork.
- Limits
- Switch placement and positioning change results; record the setup each session. Communication through switches belongs in AAC goals. The AT specialist and team choose the tool from an AT assessment and trial data; the template measures what the student does with it, not the tool's quality.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID ac-at-002.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given a switch placed at the body site chosen by the OT, connected to a computer or tablet cause-and-effect activity, the student will press the switch to start the activity and press again when it stops independently in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected each session.
Baseline: 2 of 10 opportunities.
- Condition
- Observable behavior
- Criterion
- Measurement method
Measurability check11 of 11 met
Met: Observable behavior. Stated as an action.
Met: Condition. Stated.
Met: Unit fits the behavior. Opportunities fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Opportunity (trial) recording gives opportunities data.
Met: Review timeframe. Stated.
Met: Baseline and target compatible. Same unit, change in the right direction.
Met: Aligned with area of need. Still about Assistive Technology Use.
Met: Level of support. Defined.
Met: Blanks filled in. Nothing left to fill in.
Checks structure and wording only. Whether the goal fits the student is the team's call.
Short-term objectives (optional)
When are objectives required?Required for students on alternate assessments (34 CFR §300.320(a)(2)(ii)); some states require them for everyone.
Paste into your IEP system
Most district systems have a separate box for each part of a goal. Copy them one at a time, or all at once as labeled text.
- Area of need
- Vision, Hearing & Assistive Technology - Assistive Technology Use
- Baseline
- 2 of 10 opportunities.
- Annual goal385 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given a switch placed at the body site chosen by the OT, connected to a computer or tablet cause-and-effect activity, the student will press the switch to start the activity and press again when it stops independently in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected each session.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given a switch placed at the body site chosen by the OT, connected to a computer or tablet cause-and-effect activity
- Behavior
- The student will press the switch to start the activity and press again when it stops independently
- Criteria
- In at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive sessions
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- Each session
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Opportunity tracker. One box per opportunity in each session.
Opportunity tracker
Opportunities- Student label:
- Target:
- in at least 8 of 10 opportunities
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive sessions
- Collection schedule:
- each session
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given a switch placed at the body site chosen by the OT, connected to a computer or tablet cause-and-effect activity, the student will press the switch to start the activity and press again when it stops independently in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected each session.
Key: + demonstrated independently · P demonstrated with a prompt (note type) · − not demonstrated · NA no opportunity occurred
| Date | Activity / context | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | # + (of 10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Record up to 10 opportunities per session, matching the goal's denominator.
- Define in advance what counts as an opportunity so every data collector records the same thing.
- Count only + marks toward the criterion unless the goal specifies prompted responses.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.