12 IEP Daily Living & Self-Care Goals

Quick Answer

IEP daily living goals should target functional independence skills the student needs for home, school, and community life — dressing, hygiene, or meal preparation — with clear criteria such as independently completing a 4-step hand-washing routine with no more than 1 prompt.

Daily living and self-care goals build the independence skills students need beyond the classroom. These 12 goals cover the areas most commonly targeted, with criteria that can be measured consistently across home and school settings.

Dressing

1.By [date], [student] will independently put on and remove a coat with no more than 1 prompt in 4 of 5 opportunities.
2.By [date], [student] will fasten buttons, zippers, or snaps independently in 4 of 5 observed opportunities.
3.By [date], [student] will select weather-appropriate clothing independently in 4 of 5 opportunities.

Hygiene Routines

1.By [date], [student] will independently complete a 4-step hand-washing routine with no more than 1 prompt in 4 of 5 opportunities.
2.By [date], [student] will follow a visual schedule to complete a morning hygiene routine (brushing teeth, hair) with no more than 1 prompt in 4 of 5 school days.
3.By [date], [student] will independently use the restroom following school routine expectations in 4 of 5 observed opportunities.

Meal Preparation & Eating

1.By [date], [student] will independently prepare a simple snack (2-3 steps) with no more than 1 prompt in 4 of 5 opportunities.
2.By [date], [student] will use utensils appropriately during a meal with no more than 1 prompt in 4 of 5 observed opportunities.
3.By [date], [student] will follow a visual recipe to complete a simple food preparation task with 4 of 5 steps independent in 4 of 5 trials.
4.By [date], [student] will independently open food packaging (bags, containers) in 4 of 5 observed opportunities.

Household & Community Skills

1.By [date], [student] will independently organize personal belongings in a designated space in 4 of 5 school days.
2.By [date], [student] will follow a 3-step visual schedule to complete a household chore with no more than 1 prompt in 4 of 5 trials.

Generalizing Skills Beyond the Classroom

Daily living goals matter most when they transfer to the student's actual home and community routines, not just a classroom simulation. Whenever possible, coordinate with families on how a skill is practiced at home too — a student who can follow a hygiene routine only when a specific classroom visual is present has not fully generalized the skill yet.

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