Wait for the pacing cue between bites
When to use this goal
For children whose feeding or swallowing plan calls for slower eating or emptying the mouth before the next bite, and who now take bites quickly one after another. The SLP's plan and observed meals decide fit.
- Baseline
- Score ten bites at three meals with the cue in place, marking each as waited, took a bite before the cue, or the adult held the hand. Use the SLP's cue exactly; changing cues mid-baseline confuses the data.
- Tips
- Pacing is a safety skill set by the swallowing plan, so the adult always follows the plan's precautions whatever the data show. Keep cues calm and neutral; mealtime should not feel like a test.
- Limits
- Food textures, liquid thickness, positioning for safe swallowing and any swallowing precautions come from the student's feeding or swallowing plan, which this goal never changes. Data on waiting does not show whether swallowing is safe; only the SLP and medical team judge that. Stop the meal and follow the plan if there are signs of distress.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID mt-fd-009.
Sign in to add this goal to a student.
Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during lunch, when an adult gives the pacing cue named in the feeding plan (such as a light tap, a word or a picture), the student will rest the spoon or food on the plate after each bite and wait for the pacing cue before the next bite with no extra prompts in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, on 4 of 5 observed meals, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected at every lunch, with ten bites scored.
Baseline: 3 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 Feeding & Mealtime Skills.
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
- Motor & Sensory Skills (OT, PT & Adapted PE) - Feeding & Mealtime Skills
- Baseline
- 3 of 10 opportunities.
- Annual goal446 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during lunch, when an adult gives the pacing cue named in the feeding plan (such as a light tap, a word or a picture), the student will rest the spoon or food on the plate after each bite and wait for the pacing cue before the next bite with no extra prompts in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, on 4 of 5 observed meals, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected at every lunch, with ten bites scored.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During lunch, when an adult gives the pacing cue named in the feeding plan (such as a light tap, a word or a picture)
- Behavior
- The student will rest the spoon or food on the plate after each bite and wait for the pacing cue before the next bite with no extra prompts
- Criteria
- In at least 8 of 10 opportunities, on 4 of 5 observed meals
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- At every lunch, with ten bites scored
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:
- on 4 of 5 observed meals
- Collection schedule:
- at every lunch, with ten bites scored
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during lunch, when an adult gives the pacing cue named in the feeding plan (such as a light tap, a word or a picture), the student will rest the spoon or food on the plate after each bite and wait for the pacing cue before the next bite with no extra prompts in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, on 4 of 5 observed meals, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected at every lunch, with ten bites scored.
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.