5 Goals with Teaching Protocols & Rationales for Enhancing IDM in Practice

Goal 1: Increase Instructional Control Through Reinforcement-Based Learning

Objective: The learner will engage in an instructional task for at least 5 consecutive minutes with 80% accuracy across 3 consecutive sessions.

Teaching Protocol:

1. Identify and use highly preferred reinforcers.
2. Implement Pairing Procedures (associating instructor with reinforcement).
3. Use a variable reinforcement schedule to maintain motivation.
4. Gradually increase task duration while ensuring success.

Rationale:
Building instructional control ensures the learner remains engaged and receptive to structured teaching, making learning more effective.

Goal 2: Develop a Strong Manding (Requesting) Repertoire

Objective: The learner will independently mand (request) using spoken words, signs, or AAC for 5 different items across 3 settings in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Teaching Protocol:

1. Identify motivating items and restrict free access.
2. Use prompting strategies (e.g., echoic prompts, gestural cues).
3. Immediately reinforce correct mands with the requested item.
4. Gradually fade prompts and reinforce spontaneous requests.

Rationale:
Teaching functional communication through instructional design promotes autonomy and reduces problem behavior associated with communication deficits.

Goal 3: Improve Prompted & Independent Skill Acquisition

Objective: The learner will acquire 5 new skills (e.g., labeling, imitation, social responses) with 80% accuracy across three consecutive sessions.

Teaching Protocol:

1. Conduct task analysis to break down complex skills.
2. Use systematic prompting (least-to-most or most-to-least).
3. Implement errorless learning to reduce frustration.
4. Reinforce correct responses and track data.

Rationale:
Breaking down skills ensures mastery in a systematic way and allows for consistent instructional progress.

Goal 4: Promote Generalization of Learned Skills

Objective: The learner will demonstrate a newly acquired skill (e.g., greeting peers, labeling objects) across 3 different settings and with 3 different people in 80% of opportunities.

Teaching Protocol:

1. Teach the skill in multiple environments (home, school, community).
2. Rotate instructors and materials to prevent rote learning.
3. Use naturalistic reinforcement to encourage real-world application.
4. Implement differential reinforcement for independent generalization.

Rationale:
Ensuring generalization prevents “prompt dependency” and helps learners apply skills in everyday life.

Goal 5: Increase Fluency in Verbal Behavior & Repetition of Words

Objective: The learner will spontaneously vocalize or repeat words in response to a model at least 10 times per session across 3 consecutive sessions.

Teaching Protocol:

1. Pair preferred items with vocal models (e.g., say “car” when handing over a toy car).
2. If the learner vocalizes or repeats a word, provide immediate, high-value reinforcement.
3. If the learner does not vocalize, model the sound again and still provide access to reinforcement but for a shorter duration.
4. Embed this throughout daily activities for maximum exposure.

Rationale:
Frequent exposure and reinforcement help increase verbal behavior by making speaking more valuable than staying silent.