Goal: Follow Routine and Novel Directions that are 1–3 Steps Long
Sample Goal:
Student will follow 2-3 step novel directions in the natural environment (such as the classroom), with one verbal prompt or repetition as needed.
Download the No-Prep Therapy Kit:
We have a start-to-finish therapy kit that will give you everything you need to practice this skill in therapy and send home homework. Click the packet below to open it. Then, print it out and place it in the child’s notebook or binder.
Therapy Phases:
- Follow 1-Step, Routine-Based Directions: Student will follow 1-step, routine-based directions (like “sit down”) when the direction is given verbally and with visual cues (hand signals, modeling, or pictures).
- Follow 1-Step Novel Directions: Student will follow 1-step directions that are not part of his routine (such as, “clap your hands”) when the direction is given verbally and with visual cues (hand signals, modeling, or pictures)
- Follow 2-3 Step Routine-Based Directions: Student will follow 2-3 step routine-based directions in the natural environment, with one verbal prompt or repetition as needed.
- Follow 2-3 Step Novel Directions: Student will follow 2-3 step novel directions in the natural environment, with one verbal prompt or repetition as needed.
What’s Next?
- If a child is younger (such as in preschool), being able to follow 2-3 step novel directions may be adequate for participating in classroom-activities. However, as children get older, they may need to work on following directions that contain specific concepts, such as “before” and “after”. For older children, proceed to working on more complex directions after this.
Disclaimer (For Copy and Paste):
Feel free to copy and paste these sample goals into your plan but make sure you modify them to meet the individual needs of the child. This should include individualized level of cueing, such as "independently" or "with verbal prompts".
Supplemental Materials
Here are some other resources that may help you when working on this skill:
Following Unfamiliar Directions Worksheet Pack
Additional worksheets to help a child learn how to follow 1-, 2-, or 3- step unfamiliar directions (using visual cues).
3-Step Directions in the Natural Environment
Additional worksheets to practice following directions in the natural environment.