Reach toward a wanted item to request it
When to use this goal
For children who take items without involving a partner or who cry or wait without a clear signal. Reaching toward an item held by the partner is often the first intentional request. Present levels and the SLP's evaluation, not age, decide whether to start here.
- Baseline
- Run a short preference check first so the items are wanted. Set up 10 opportunities and record whether the student reaches toward the partner's item, grabs it, waits, or turns away, and the cue level needed.
- Tips
- Give the item right away after every reach so the student learns that reaching gets results. A reach toward the item counts even if the student does not look at the partner. Once reaching is steady, the next step is pairing it with a sound, sign, or picture (sl-ec-016, sl-ec-017).
- Limits
- Reaching is a first form, not an end point; add a more symbolic form as soon as it is steady. Children with motor needs may use another defined movement; plan it with the OT or PT. Not a goal for children who already request with signs, words, or pictures.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-ec-005.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during snack, when the partner holds up two small pieces of a preferred food just out of reach, the student will reach an open hand or arm toward the item the partner is holding to request it independently in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily during snack or play.
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 Early 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 - Early Communication
- Baseline
- 3 of 10 opportunities.
- Annual goal399 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during snack, when the partner holds up two small pieces of a preferred food just out of reach, the student will reach an open hand or arm toward the item the partner is holding to request it independently in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily during snack or play.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During snack, when the partner holds up two small pieces of a preferred food just out of reach
- Behavior
- The student will reach an open hand or arm toward the item the partner is holding to request it independently
- Criteria
- In at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection days
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- Daily during snack or play
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:
- across 3 consecutive data collection days
- Collection schedule:
- daily during snack or play
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during snack, when the partner holds up two small pieces of a preferred food just out of reach, the student will reach an open hand or arm toward the item the partner is holding to request it independently in at least 8 of 10 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily during snack or play.
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.