Writing DIRFloortime Aligned EIDBI Goals
Four people are gathered around a giant outdoor chessboard featuring oversized black and white pieces. A boy in a blue shirt sits on a white chess piece in the foreground, facing two women and a small child who are on the opposite side, where one woman points at a black piece. The scene conveys a relaxed, casual outdoor activity, possibly a game or a lesson in progress.
Hey there! So you want to know how I actually create those DIRFloortime goals? It’s a pretty organic and thorough process that starts with the family and really keeps the client at the center.
💭 Starting with the Big Picture
First things first, I dive deep with the caregivers (and the client, if they can participate) to figure out what they really want. I don't just ask about immediate fixes; I ask the big, meaningful question: "What would life look like when you feel ready to wrap up EIDBI services?" That tells me the ultimate destination—our long-term goals. We talk about what's toughest right now for the whole family, but also the stuff that's going great! This helps us set goals for both the client and the family making sure both can be supported, because it's a team effort.
🔍 Building the Client’s Unique Roadmap
While we're chatting about the big picture, I'm also gathering tons of information to build the client's individual profile. I observe the client (in person or via video), getting as much time in for observations at I can. During those observations I am collecting information on their individual differences and their Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities (FEDCs). I try to make sure that I have observations over at least three different days to get a good read on their range—we're looking at big picture, not just a one-time snapshot. I love data and information and I want as much as I can get when I’m writing a treatment plan. This means I try to get my hands on ALL the reports from OTs, SLPs, school, etc., because those provide essential context on the client’s strengths and challenges. Once I've synthesized all that info, I use the FEDC assessment I completed during my observations as my launchpad for goal writing.
💖 Goals: Relationships, Regulation, and Real Life
When I start writing, I make sure the goals hit a few critical points:
The Relationship is Key: Since DIRFloortime is developmental and relationship-based, I always include goals focused on building that therapeutic relationship. This relationship isn't a tool to leverage compliance; it’s a collaborative, coregulating connection that builds trust and safety. That takes time, so it's a priority goal!
Always Regulate: Seriously, regulation goals are in every plan. Neurodivergent folks face challenges that are often more intense and frequent, and we can’t ignore how much that impacts their daily life. We start simple, and the complexity grows as they master new skills.
Developmental Spacing: To make sure the plan is flexible, I write goals across three FEDC levels: where they are now, the level just above, and the level just below. We need to keep supporting those lower-level "holes" while reaching higher. People don't function perfectly every minute, and our treatment plans need to accommodate for those daily ups and downs.
Neuroaffirming Mindset: I constantly check my own biases and ask: "Is this goal truly supporting a better quality of life and better functioning, or is it just trying to make them fit in?" I use the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) levels (independent, minimal support, moderate support) because sometimes interdependence is the most realistic and autonomous long-term goal. Pushing independence when it’s unrealistic does a disservice to our clients. This might mean I have to think differently about what would give this client the most autonomy while they also have access to the level of support they need. This can get tricky in goal writing, and I work to learn from others with higher support needs than myself that have successfully figured out what that interdependence looks like, so there is definitely a research component to my goal writing.
✅ Testing and Looping Back
The final, crucial step is testing the goals out! Either I or another provider tests out the goal to see if the goal is actually a good fit. We also collect baseline data while we are testing them out. If it works, it stays; if not, we tweak it or toss it completely. When it’s time for a treatment plan review, we analyze the data, observe the client again, chat with caregivers, update the profile, and essentially, the whole process starts over. It's a continuous learning and adapting loop!
📝 Want to See These Goals in Action?
Since goal writing can be tough and I’m definitfely a visual learner I put together a resource for providers to see what my goals look like! Over the years, I've compiled a collection of over 100 DIRFloortime goal examples that cover everything from those essential relationship skills to regulation and various FEDC levels. If you're looking for practica examples to jumpstart your own treatment plans, you can purchase a copy of my DIRFloortime Goal Examples here! If you want just a quick sampling of what some of my goals look like you can head over to the EIDBI Resources section of our website and check out the treatment planning section.
