Accept 'no' or 'not now' with a taught response
When to use this goal
For students who argue, scream, or become aggressive when a request is denied. Fits once the student makes requests reliably. Base the choice on how often denial is currently followed by problem behavior. Accepting corrections from adults is a separate skill in following-adult-directions.
- Baseline
- Record 5 or more denials, planned or natural, and note the first response: acceptance phrase, protest without problem behavior, or problem behavior. Start planned denials with low-value items so the student can practice the phrase without high stakes, and record item value with each trial.
- Tips
- Most requests should still be granted; denial practice is a small share of requests so the request form stays strong. Say when the item will be available whenever that is true, and follow through. Score only the first 30 seconds after the denial; a protest later in the day belongs to the behavior plan's frequency data. Pair with bh-rep-020 or bh-rep-023 if aggression or property destruction follows denial.
- Limits
- Planned denials of low-value items may not generalize to high-value ones; the progression builds that in. A respectful protest ("I really want it") is not a failure; the goal is accepting the answer, not silence.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID bh-rep-015.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, when an adult denies a request for an item, activity, or break, the student will independently respond with the taught acceptance phrase ("okay," "maybe later," or the OKAY symbol) and move on to the next activity without the defined problem behavior in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weekly data summaries, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily during planned and natural denials, summarized weekly.
Baseline: 1 of 5 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 Replacement Behaviors.
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
- Behavior & Classroom Expectations - Replacement Behaviors
- Baseline
- 1 of 5 opportunities.
- Annual goal477 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, when an adult denies a request for an item, activity, or break, the student will independently respond with the taught acceptance phrase ("okay," "maybe later," or the OKAY symbol) and move on to the next activity without the defined problem behavior in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weekly data summaries, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily during planned and natural denials, summarized weekly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- When an adult denies a request for an item, activity, or break
- Behavior
- The student will independently respond with the taught acceptance phrase ("okay," "maybe later," or the OKAY symbol) and move on to the next activity without the defined problem behavior
- Criteria
- In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weekly data summaries
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- Daily during planned and natural denials, summarized weekly
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 4 of 5 opportunities
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive weekly data summaries
- Collection schedule:
- daily during planned and natural denials, summarized weekly
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, when an adult denies a request for an item, activity, or break, the student will independently respond with the taught acceptance phrase ("okay," "maybe later," or the OKAY symbol) and move on to the next activity without the defined problem behavior in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weekly data summaries, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily during planned and natural denials, summarized weekly.
Key: + demonstrated independently · P demonstrated with a prompt (note type) · − not demonstrated · NA no opportunity occurred
| Date | Activity / context | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | # + (of 5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Record up to 5 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.