Accept an alternative when the wanted item is unavailable
When to use this goal
For young students who scream or drop to the floor when the wanted toy, snack, or color is gone. For students who already request with a word, sign, or picture. Base the choice on current responses to substitutions.
- Baseline
- Set up 5 trials where the first-choice item is visibly gone and an alternative of moderate preference is offered. Record the response and the time to accept. Use a preference assessment so alternatives are not the student's least-liked options during early trials.
- Tips
- Offer alternatives with the same enthusiasm as the original and keep the choice simple (two items, both visible). Score the first response only. If the student takes the alternative and then protests a minute later, record it as accepted and note the later protest separately.
- Limits
- Works for items and activities; it does not address denials with no alternative, which is bh-rep-015. Trials with a highly preferred missing item may produce problem behavior even after mastery with moderate items; build up slowly.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID bh-rep-016.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, when the student requests an item that is unavailable and the adult offers one alternative, the student will independently take the offered alternative or choose from two alternatives within 10 seconds without the defined problem behavior in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily during snack and one play routine.
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 goal444 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, when the student requests an item that is unavailable and the adult offers one alternative, the student will independently take the offered alternative or choose from two alternatives within 10 seconds without the defined problem behavior in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily during snack and one play routine.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- When the student requests an item that is unavailable and the adult offers one alternative
- Behavior
- The student will independently take the offered alternative or choose from two alternatives within 10 seconds without the defined problem behavior
- Criteria
- In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection days
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- Daily during snack and one play routine
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 data collection days
- Collection schedule:
- daily during snack and one play routine
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, when the student requests an item that is unavailable and the adult offers one alternative, the student will independently take the offered alternative or choose from two alternatives within 10 seconds without the defined problem behavior in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily during snack and one play routine.
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.