Follows Instructions – Teaching Steps

Target Response Date Date

Introduced Mastered
1. 1-step simple instructions – cued
Examples:
• High 5 (instructor holds up his/her own hand)
• Sit down (with chair behind student)
• Put it in (give student block for shape sorter, spoon in cup, puzzle in,
etc.)
• Pick it up (while pointing to something on the ground)
• Take this (while handing student something)
• Put it on (while handing student clothing item)
• Put on hat (with hat on table)
• Read book (with book on table)
• Etc.
2. 1-step simple instructions – not cued
Examples:
• Clap hands
• Wave bye
• Stand up
• Sit down (with no chair behind student)
• Jump
• Turn around
• Touch (body part) *If student has learned body parts
• Etc.
3. 1-step instructions involving distance
Examples:
• Throw this out / Put in garbage
• Close the door
• Turn off lights
• Hang up backpack
• Etc.
4. Go get [item] **Pre-requisite – learned receptive labels
• Getting an item in an array of 3 on the floor 3 feet away
• 5 feet away
• 8 feet away
• Across the room
• Increase the array size
5. 1-step instructions from a distance – Teacher increases distance between
student and teacher to mimic a classroom situation
• Follows instructions while teacher is 3 feet away
• 5 feet away
• 8 feet away
• Across the room
6. Any 2-step instructions – e.g., do this and this
*It’s important at this stage never to teach the same instructions together –
e.g., don’t always teach clap hands and touch head together. Goal = can your
student follow ANY 2-step instruction.