Press buttons and keys with one finger
When to use this goal
For young students who press with the whole hand or several fingers, so they hit the wrong button on a sound book, a communication device, or a tablet. Fit depends on a trial with the student's own device, not age. The SLP should be involved when the device is used for communication.
- Baseline
- Ask for 10 presses on targets of a set size and score one-finger presses. Note button size and pressure needed; some switches are too stiff for one finger.
- Tips
- A keyguard or a larger button is a fine accommodation; record it in the support. One-finger pointing also helps later with keyboards and counting.
- Limits
- Measures the finger movement, not choosing the right symbol; communication accuracy belongs in AAC goals. Students with high or low muscle tone may need a different access method decided by the OT.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID mt-fm-034.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given a communication device or sound board with buttons at least 1 inch wide, the student will press the named button with the pointer finger while the other fingers stay curled independently in at least 8 of 10 trials, on 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected 10 trials daily during device use.
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 Fine Motor 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) - Fine Motor Skills
- Baseline
- 3 of 10 opportunities.
- Annual goal382 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given a communication device or sound board with buttons at least 1 inch wide, the student will press the named button with the pointer finger while the other fingers stay curled independently in at least 8 of 10 trials, on 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected 10 trials daily during device use.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given a communication device or sound board with buttons at least 1 inch wide
- Behavior
- The student will press the named button with the pointer finger while the other fingers stay curled independently
- Criteria
- In at least 8 of 10 trials, on 3 consecutive data collection days
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- 10 trials daily during device use
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 trials
- Mastery rule:
- on 3 consecutive data collection days
- Collection schedule:
- 10 trials daily during device use
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given a communication device or sound board with buttons at least 1 inch wide, the student will press the named button with the pointer finger while the other fingers stay curled independently in at least 8 of 10 trials, on 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected 10 trials daily during device use.
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.