Answer yes and no with a symbol, sign, or gesture
When to use this goal
For students who need a reliable yes and no to express preferences and answer questions, using whatever mode works (symbol, sign, head movement, or eye gaze to yes/no cards). A reliable yes/no opens up many other goals. Base the choice on the SLP's evaluation.
- Baseline
- Ask 20 preference questions with the item present, half about things you know the student likes and half about things they refuse, and record whether the answer matches what they then do (accept or push away). Chance is 50%. Try two or three response modes and pick the one that is most reliable and least effortful.
- Tips
- Score correct when the response matches the student's actual choice (preference questions) or the fact (picture questions). Keep the yes and no response in the same form and position every time. Accept the student's no; a yes/no that is overridden stops being used. Record the mode so all partners read it the same way.
- Limits
- Preference answers are only checkable when the item is present. Fact questions require vocabulary knowledge, so a wrong answer may be a vocabulary error rather than a yes/no error. Chance is 50%, so use 20 items.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-aac-004.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given 20 yes/no questions about preferences with the item shown (such as "Do you want the ball?" while holding the ball), the student will answer yes or no using their established response (symbol, sign, head movement, or eye gaze) so that the answer matches what they then accept or reject independently with at least 85% accuracy on yes/no responses matching the student's choice, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected three times weekly.
Baseline: 50% accuracy.
- 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. Percent accuracy 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 percent accuracy 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 AAC & Augmentative Communication.
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
- Speech & Language - AAC & Augmentative Communication
- Baseline
- 50% accuracy.
- Annual goal533 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given 20 yes/no questions about preferences with the item shown (such as "Do you want the ball?" while holding the ball), the student will answer yes or no using their established response (symbol, sign, head movement, or eye gaze) so that the answer matches what they then accept or reject independently with at least 85% accuracy on yes/no responses matching the student's choice, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected three times weekly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given 20 yes/no questions about preferences with the item shown (such as "Do you want the ball?" while holding the ball)
- Behavior
- The student will answer yes or no using their established response (symbol, sign, head movement, or eye gaze) so that the answer matches what they then accept or reject independently
- Criteria
- With at least 85% accuracy on yes/no responses matching the student's choice, across 3 consecutive data collection days
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- Three times weekly
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Accuracy tracker. Records number correct and number attempted.
Accuracy tracker
Percent accuracy- Student label:
- Target:
- with at least 85% accuracy on yes/no responses matching the student's choice
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive data collection days
- Collection schedule:
- three times weekly
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given 20 yes/no questions about preferences with the item shown (such as "Do you want the ball?" while holding the ball), the student will answer yes or no using their established response (symbol, sign, head movement, or eye gaze) so that the answer matches what they then accept or reject independently with at least 85% accuracy on yes/no responses matching the student's choice, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected three times weekly.
| Date | Task / materials | # correct | # attempted | % accuracycorrect ÷ attempted × 100 | Support levele.g., independent, 1 verbal prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score only items the student attempted unless the goal defines a fixed set of items. Use the same denominator every session.
- Percent = numerator ÷ denominator × 100. Round to one decimal place.
- Record the support actually provided, even if the goal is independent performance.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.