IEP Goals...need ideas!?

Question

I am writing an IEP for a new student who I have only an ER on and I never met her. I need ideas for functional life skill goals *she is 16!....any ideas are appreciated...she is nonverbal, down syndrome and autistic....thanks

Answer 1

Given the propensity towards obesity for a person with Down Syndrome as they approach adulthood, I would recommend an exercise goal to increase physical endurance and stamina.  As she is sixteen look for goals in the Transition domains of Adult Daily Living Skills, Employment, Community Participation, and Academic.  Being non-verbal and ASD, there is likely a need for a goal pertaining to functional communication or social adjustment.

Also, if possible talk to her parents for ideas.  The Eligibility Recommendation should have a Present Level statement on it (unfortunately many teachers aren't descriptive enough.)  Can you get in touch with her previous teacher?

If she is a move in to your district, you may be able to do a 30 day Temporary Placement, get to know her a bit, and then do an IEP, or you can write the IEP without knowing her at all and reconvene another IEP in several weeks if you need to, or just do an addendum to add or delete goals and objectives.  

I have had similar situations several times, and we did a 30 day temp.  Good luck

Answer 2

Try to give her a life skills program that she would like

Answer 3

Here are a couple of web sites that might help.  They both have goals and objectives that you can customize and adapt for your student.

http://www.bridges4kids.org/IEP/iep.goal...

http://www.kid-power.org/samples/goals.h...

Answer 4

Well, I'd need a little more information.  Is she potty trained?  Can she eat with utensils?  If she is then given her age I'd focus on vocational type of goals.  Counting money, keeping her appearance neat, and communicating with sign language.  

-Sheryl (special ed. teacher)

Answer 5

first, you need to get her to talk. You need her to interact.

thats two good goals that are realistic and doable. Those two are long term goals that might not happen for years.

Perhaps a third goal might be independence, in some things. not independent like normal people, but independent to do some basic things by herself?

Answer 6

I work with adults with mild developmental delays and I find that the obstacles that I find myself tackling with every individual are healthy eating and finances

For food, balancing a diet, cooking, portion control etc.

As far as money goes, on a big scale, budgeting and saving, and on a small scale, general money skills, counting bills and change, checking their change after a purchase, figuring out what things cost.  

With both, the difference between want and need is a challenge.

Since I don't know the person at all, I don't want to assume anything, but for a lot of persons with disabilities, hygiene is a big deal. If you can start a healthy hygiene routine, of washing up, brushing teeth, deodorant, general appearance (maybe makeup since there's a good chance that her peers will be doing some makeup experimenting).

I know that with people I have worked with who have had Downs or Autism, for both routine is HUGE and if you can get a healthy one started, it will be positive for a long time to come.