Step 1.1 Select and describe the target skill or behavior in observable and measurable terms
Beginning with the IFSP, the EI team discusses with the parent the toddler's strengths and challenges in order to develop a priority outcome and then describe a target skill. The IFSP outcome should be observable and measurable in order to be able to clearly describe the expected skill that the toddler will learn and how to determine when the toddler has mastered the skill.
EXAMPLE
Parents discussed with the providers that their toddler, Aiden, preferred to graze rather than sit for meals. The team assessed whether this behavior was very different from the grazing behavior of most toddlers. Based on their observations, the team agreed that sitting for mealtime was something that Aiden disliked. The team helped the family to craft an observable and measurable outcome, which clearly described the context (WHEN), the target skill the toddler will perform (WHAT) and how will we know Aiden has mastered this skill (HOW).
Outcome: During dinner, Aiden will sit in his seat for at least 5minutes and finish at least 5 bites of food before leaving the table for 4/5 consecutive weekday dinners.
Creating an observable, measurable outcome ensures that the family and team can keep information on the behavior that tells them if the toddler is clearly progressing or if a change in the intervention needs to occur. The team considers how progress on sitting and progress on eating would need to be assessed separately.
They decide to look at both:
- During dinner, Aiden will sit in his seat eating or playing for at least 5 minutes before leaving the table for 4/5 consecutive weekday dinners.
- During dinner, Aiden will finish at least 5 bites of food (i.e. teaspoon size) before leaving the table for 4/5 consecutive weekday dinners.
The implementation checklist provides the steps covered in each module.