A Communication, Behavior

and Functional Skills

EL IVING
SSENTIAL
FOR
Curriculum, Assessment,
Skill-tracking Instrument, and
Professional Practitioner’s Handbook
for Children and Adults with
Moderate-to-Severe Disabilities

EEELSSENTIAL
SSENTIAL
SSENTIAL
ELELELIVING
FOR
SSENTIAL
FOR
SSENTIAL
IVING FOR
SSENTIAL
LLIVING
IVING FOR
FOR EEELSSENTIAL
SSENTIAL
SSENTIAL
ELELE
The Assessment
FOR
andThe Assessment
Record
IVING
of Progress
andThe [ARP]FOR
Assessment Manual SSENTIAL
IVINGFOR
SSENTIAL
FOR
IVING
LLIVING
IVING
SSENTIAL
Record of Progress [ARP] Manual
andThe Assessment
Record of Progress
andThe [ARP] Manual
Assessment
FOR
The Essential Assessment
FOR

LIVING
Record of Progress [ARP] Manual
andThe andThe Essential Assessment
Assessment
FOR
Record
and of Progress [ARP] Manual
for ___________________________
Record of Progress [ARP] Manual
for ___________________________
Record
andThe
for Record
the andIVING
of Progress [EARP]
Essential
andfor the
Record
Manual
Essential Assessment

IVING
of Progress
Eight [EARP]
Skills Manual
The Essential Assessment
of Progress
Essential
andThe [EARP] Manual
Eight Skills
for ___________________________ Problem Essential Assessment
andforBehavior
Record
the of
EssentialProgress [EARP] Manual
Eight Skills
for ___________________________ andThe Essential Assessment
Problem
andforBehavior
Record
the and of Progress
Essential [EARP] Manual
Eight Skills
for ___________________________ Problem Behavior
andfor Record
the of Progress
Essential [EARP] Manual
Eight Skills
for ___________________________ for ___________________________
Patrick McGreevy Problem Behavior
andfor the Essential Eight Skills
for ___________________________
Patrick
Troy Fry andMcGreevy
Colleen Cornwall Problem
and Behavior
for ___________________________
Patrick
Troy Fry andMcGreevy
Colleen Cornwall Problem Behavior
for ___________________________
TroyPatrick
Fry andMcGreevy
Colleen Cornwall
Patrick
Troy Fry andMcGreevy
Colleen Cornwall for ___________________________
Patrick McGreevy
TroyPatrick
Fry andMcGreevy
Colleen Cornwall Patrick
Troy Fry andMcGreevy
for ___________________________
Colleen Cornwall
Troy Fry and Colleen Cornwall TroyPatrick
Fry andMcGreevy
Colleen Cornwall
TroyPatrick
Fry andMcGreevy
Colleen Cornwall
TroyPatrick
Fry andMcGreevy
Colleen Cornwall
TroyPatrick
Fry andMcGreevy
Colleen Cornwall
Troy Fry and Colleen Cornwall

Patrick McGreevy
Troy Fry
Colleen Cornwall

An Introduction
and User Guide
Patrick McGreevy
patrick@essentialforliving.com
407-415-5241

Troy Fry
troy@essentialforliving.com
952-412-6206

www.essentialforliving.com
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !1

EL IVING
SSENTIAL
FOR An Introduction

Essential for Living (EFL) is the most innovative and comprehensive curriculum,
assessment, skill-tracking instrument, and teaching manual available today
for children and adults with moderate-to-severe disabilities
Examine your current curriculum for learners with moderate-to-severe disabilities and the advan-
tages of Essential for Living that are highlighted below. How many of these advantages does your
curriculum include?
Includes 3,100 ’functional skills that matter’ in the everyday lives of children and adults with moderate-
to-severe disabilities, including, but not limited to autism
Includes the Essential Eight Skills that are often absent when problem behavior occurs
Reaches learners with severe and multiple disabilities and very limited skill repertoires
References skill deficits to ‘quality of life’, rather than typically-developing children
Provides a systematic set of procedures for selecting and testing the effectiveness of an
Alternative Method of Speaking for non-verbal learners
Includes pragmatic language skills that teach learners ‘what they want and need to say’ and ‘what
they need to understand’ without the burden of grammar and syntax
Permits the seamless inclusion of skills into IEPs, transition plans, ISPs, program plans, and support plans
Includes a diagram that can be used, when necessary, to link functional language and academic
skills to the Common Core State Standards
Includes easy-to-follow, evidence-based teaching procedures that describe ‘when and how’ to
teach specific skills
Permits the effortless tracking of small increments of learner progress from skill acquisition to fluency
to maintenance to generalization
Permits the effortless tracking of problem behaviors and the supports these behaviors require over
extended periods of time
Permits teachers to become comfortable using this sophisticated instrument with 1-2 days of training
and a few days of practice
Provides a platform for trans-disciplinary interactions
Also provides a platform for fair, outcome-based teacher evaluations

Join an increasing number of school districts, private schools,

ABA programs, supported living, supported employment,
and residential programs who are using…

ELSSENTIAL
FOR
IVING
1- to select and prioritize functional, life skills that ‘matter’
for their IEPs, ‘transition plans’, ISPs, and program plans,
2- to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of
their instruction and behavior management, and
3- to improve the quality of life for the children and adults
they serve
! 2 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

EL IVING
SSENTIAL
FOR was designed for children and adults of all ages with moderate-to-severe
disabilities and limited skill repertoires, specifically…

Children with autism or related disorders, who, after 3-4 years of intensive, behavioral intervention, have
acquired only a limited repertoire of expressive and receptive language, continue to function as a
speaker using pictures, have acquired few to no matching or imitation skills, have difficulty understanding
abstract concepts, are not answering simple questions without scripts, have not begun to experience
generalization, equivalence relations, or a ‘burst’ of novel responses, and are no longer making
significant progress on a developmental curriculum, such as the VB-MAPP, the Early Start Denver Model
(ESDM), the ABLLS, or the CABAS Curriculum
Children and adults of all ages with Down Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Cornelia de Lange
Syndrome, Hunter Syndrome, Cri du Chat (5p-) Syndrome, Smith–Magenis Syndrome, Prader-Willi
Syndrome, Microcephaly, Tay-Sachs Disease, and other named and unnamed congenital disorders that
consistently result in moderate-to-severe disabilities
Children who are struggling to become vocal
Non-verbal children or adults who have no effective method of speaking
Children with limited skill repertoires or severe forms of disruptive, aggressive, or self-injurious behavior
children or adults who require extensive supports or 1:1 supervision
children or adults who cannot be instructed or integrated with peers or taken into the community without
severe problem behavior

The Purpose of ‘Essential for Living’ is to help teachers, curriculum coordinators, speech-language
pathologists, QIDPs, behavior analysts, and support coordinators…
select functional, life skills for instruction and problem behaviors for management, and include these
selections in IEPs, ISPs, program plans, and support plans
manage these problem behaviors and teach these functional, life skills
teach learners who exhibit echolalia or who have limited vocal skills
select and confirm appropriate, alternative methods of speaking for non-verbal learners or learners with
a limited spoken-word repertoire that endure throughout their adult lives
track learner progress with respect to skills selected for instruction and problem behaviors selected for
management, measure and document small increments of that progress through skill acquisition,
maintenance, and generalization, and provide reasonable and fair measures of teacher performance
based on that progress
document specific supports that learners currently require, keep documentation of learner progress and
required supports in one place, and make certain that this documentation ‘makes it’ to the learner’s next
classroom, residence, or program

‘Essential for Living’ can be used along with developmental curricula, such as the VB-MAPP, the Early
Start Denver Model (ESDM), the ABLLS, and the CABAS Curriculum…
when young learners exhibit severe problem behavior or barriers to learning
when these learners have not acquired basic speaking, listening, daily living, and tolerating skills
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide 3
!

The Structure and Content of Essential for Living

As shown below, and in chapter 1 of the practitioner’s handbook, Essential for Living (EFL) includes seven skill
domains and one domain on problem behavior. Skills are sequenced within domains from less to more difficult
and more to less functional, and are designated as: must-have, should-have, good-to-have, and nice-to-have.
The must-have skills are also known as The Essential Eight Skills, which are described on the following page and
in chapter 1 of the handbook.
Essential for Living also includes an extensive chapter on Facilitating and Teaching Spoken-word Communi-
cation and Selecting, Confirming, and Maintaining an Alternative Method of Speaking for learners with limited
or no verbal skills. This chapter helps users determine if a child or an adult should use spoken words as their
primary method of speaking or if they need as alternative method. If an alternative method of speaking is
required, a set of procedures guides the selection of a method designed to last a lifetime and the testing of its
effectiveness, which is defined by the extent to which it is continuously available, frequently used, and results in
effortless requests (CAFE).
The Essential for Living Quick Assessment, another component of EFL, helps users begin to conduct an initial
skills assessment and results in a list of possible skill deficits, which are confirmed later by direct observation.

The Essential Eight Skills

Facilitating and Teaching Spoken-word Communication and
Selecting, Confirming, and Maintaining an Alternative Method of Speaking
The Essential for Living Quick Assessment
How Children and Adults The Domains of Essential for Living
Interact with Must-have, Should-have, Good-to-have, and Nice-to-have Skills
the World Around Them sequenced from ‘less to more difficult’ and ‘more to less functional’
Speaking and Listening Domain 1: Requests and Related Listener Responses (R)
Domain 2: Listener Responses, Names, and Descriptions (LR, LRND)
Domain 3: Answers to Questions and Conversations (AQ, C)
Doing Domain 4: Daily Living and Related Skills (DLS)
Domain 5: Functional Academic Skills
• Responding to Text as a Listener and Reading (RTL, Rdg)
• Schedules, Lists, and Time (SLT)
• Math Skills (Mth)
• Writing or Typing Skills (WT)
Tolerating Domain 6: Tolerating Skills and Eggshells (T)
Inappropriate Behavior Problem Behavior Domain (PB)
Tool Movements Domain 7: Tool Skills and Component Skills (MM, M, Im)
Teaching Protocols

Domains 1, 2, and 3 of EFL describe the teaching of pragmatic language, as separate speaking and listening
skills that are part of everyday events. These skills begin with making requests, especially with peers, continue
with recognizing, retrieving, and relocating items, along with completing activities when asked to do so, and
conclude with answering questions and participating in conversations that commonly occur.
Domain 4 includes the teaching of daily living skills, including leisure and vocational skills. Domain 5 describes
the teaching of functional academic skills, which includes ‘responding to text as a listener’, which is often more
functional than reading. Also included in this domain are picture schedules, the teaching of time with clocks
and calendars, math skills including counting, measuring, and purchasing, and writing and texting skills.
Domain 6, unique to EFL, describes events and circumstances that many children and adults have difficulty
tolerating, like physical prompts and changes in established routines. Then, a special domain describes the
value of standard measurement and of managing problem behavior in the context of developing skill reper-
toires, rather than replacement behaviors.
! 4 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

And, finally, Essential for Living includes an extensive array of evidence-based, step-by-step teaching protocols,
followed by an equally extensive list of references, which are the shoulders on which this instrument stands.

The Essential Eight Skills

As shown below (and in chapter 1 of the practitioner’s handbook), the must-have skills are included in only four
domains — Domain 1, Domain 2, Domain 4, and Domain 6, and are also known as The Essential Eight Skills.
These skills are absolutely essential for a happy, fulfilling, and productive life as an older child or an adult, and
are the central focus of Essential for Living. In the absence of these skills, children and adults with moderate-to-
severe disabilities will almost certainly exhibit forms of problem behavior, limiting their access to preferred items,
activities, places, and people, limiting their participation in family activities, and limiting their interaction within
the community in which they live.

The Must-have Skills in Domains 1, 2, 4, and 6 a.k.a., The Essential Eight Skills

Domain 1. Requests and Related Listener Responses (R)

R7. Makes requests for highly preferred snack foods, drinks, One. Making Requests for Access to
nonfood items, or activities... Highly Preferred Items and Activities and
and 13 other skills that include making requests for the Removal or Reduction in intensity
of Specific Situations

R9. Waits after making requests for each of the items and Two. Waiting
activities in R7 and R8 for... increasing periods of time

R13. Makes transitions from preferred items and activities to Three. Accepting Removals -- the
required tasks... Removal of Preferred Items and Activities,
and 2 other skills that include accepting removals Making Transitions, Sharing, and Taking
Turns

R11. Completes 10 consecutive, brief, previously acquired Four. Completing Required Tasks --
tasks 10 Consecutive, Brief, Previously
Acquired Tasks

R15 & R16. ‘Accepts no’ after making requests... Five. Accepting ‘No’

Domain 2. Listener Responses, Names,

and Descriptions (LR, LRND)

LR2. Moves toward and stands or sits next to an instructor, Six. Following Directions Related to Health
care provider, or parent when directed to do so... and Safety
and 10 other skills that include following directions

Domain 4. Daily Living and Related Skills (DLS)

DLS-HS4. Fastens and remains in a seat belt... Seven. Completing Daily Living Skills
and 38 other skills that are part of daily living Related to Health and Safety

Domain 6. Tolerating Skills and Eggshells (T)

T-BHI5. Tolerates touch, physical guidance, or prompts... Eight. Tolerating Situations Related to
and 70 other skills that include tolerating specific situations Health and Safety
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide 5
!

Some of the Skills in Essential for Living

There are many hundreds of must-have, should-have, good-to-have, and nice-to-have skills which are included
in the seven skill domains of Essential for Living. Some of these skills are listed below:

Domain 1: Requests and Related Listener Responses

R1-5. Interests of the learner... as determined by instructors, parents, and care providers,
and... as indicated by the learner
R7. Makes requests for highly preferred snack foods, drinks, non-food items, or activities that can be
made frequently and immediately available
R9. Waits after making requests for each of the items and activities in R7 and R8 for gradually
increasing periods of time
R15. ‘Accepts no’ after making requests for items and activities that were taught and are often
honored (R7, R8, and R14)
R17. Makes very forceful and repeated requests for a stranger, an intruder, a person teasing,
threatening, bullying, or instigating a fight, or a person making sexual advances to ‘go away’
R18. Makes a generalized request for help in a threatening or dangerous situation, by yelling “help”,
screaming, or otherwise making contact with an audience, calling ‘9-1-1’, or activating a
medical alert device
R19. Makes a generalized request for an audience, followed by requests for items or activities in R7
and R8
R23. Makes requests for highly preferred items and activities that cannot be made either frequently or
immediately available
R28. Says “thank you” when requests are honored
R33. Makes a second and a third generalized request for an audience after the first
or second request was ignored
R34. Makes a generalized request for affection
R37. Makes a generalized request for ‘help’… in situations that are not dangerous
R38. Makes a request to delay the onset of a required activity
R39. Makes a generalized request for a ‘break’ in required activities
R43. Makes a request to use the toilet, to use a catheter, to be changed, to locate a restroom, or for
assistance with toileting
R44. Makes requests from peers
R45. Honors requests from peers
R47. Makes a request for assistance during menstruation
R49. Makes a request for privacy and to increase personal space
R54. Makes a request for others to clarify something they have said
R59. Makes a request to perform an activity without assistance
R72. Makes requests that require 2 words, 2 signs, or 2 pictures…
R79. Makes requests that require 4 words, signs, or pictures
R84. Makes requests for information, with 2-4 key words or signs… [‘where’ questions]

Domain 2: Listener Responses, Names, and Descriptions

LR1. Holds and maintains contact with the hand of an instructor, care provider, or parent when
directed to do so
LR2. Moves toward and stands or sits next to an instructor, care provider, or parent when directed to
do so
LR10. Turns toward others when her/his name is called and makes two consecutive listener responses
from LR1-9
LR11. Fastens a seat belt while in a car, a car seat, or a mobility device and remains in the seat belt for
gradually increasing periods of time when directed to do so
LR12. Completes five activities of dressing and personal hygiene when directed to do so
LRND1.1 Breakfast — Recognizes a spoon, a bowl, and a cup; Retrieves a spoon, a bowl, and a cup;
Relocates a spoon, a bowl, and a cup (to the dishwasher);
LRND1.2 Breakfast — Names a spoon; wipes the table; describes wiping the table
Domain 3: Answers to Questions and Conversations
AQ.1.1 Breakfast -- When a spoon, bowl, or cup is missing, answers the question ‘What do you need’
C1.1 Breakfast -- Participates in a conversation with two exchanges
! 6 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

Domain 4: Daily Living and Related (Leisure and Vocational) Skills

DLS-EDF1. Consumes thick or thickened liquids orally
DLS-EDF4. Chews three soft foods
DLS-EDF18. Wipes mouth and hands with a napkin
DLS-EDF21. Feeds self cereal
DLS-MM4. Administers own pills or vitamins using a weekly pill sorter
DLS-Slp5. Remains in own bed throughout the night
DLS-MT8. Walks with a gait trainer
DLS-MT16. Rides a train, bus, or taxi to 5 specific locations
DLS-Toil6. Urinates and defecates in the toilet
DLS-BPH1. Washes hands
DLS-BPH8. Applies and changes a sanitary napkin or tampon during menstruation
DLS-AHS10. Does not plug in or touch an iron
DLS-AHS12. Does not put harmful, non-nutritive items in their mouth
DLS-SIT15. Returns to tasks after significant interruptions
DLS-SIT16. Participates in instruction with 2-4 peers
DLS-V3. Participates in supported employment
DLS-RDA5. Cleans own room
DLS-HS4. Fastens and remains in a seat belt for the duration of specific trips
Domain 5: Functional Academic Skills
Responses to Text as a Listener and Reading Skills
RTL2. Responds appropriately to public safety, street, and emergency signs…
RTL11. Selects items from restaurant menus that include printed-words or Braille letters…
Rdg4. Reads the text on containers… that represent some risk of safety…
Rdg14. Reads text from simple, printed-word or Braille recipes…
Schedules, Lists, and Time
SLT1. Participates in events and activities slated to occur later that same day using a personal,
daily, picture or tactile schedule
SLT11. Names times on an analog or digital clock or watch to the nearest quarter hour
Math Skills
Mth1. Counts a specified number of items from 1-10 using an inset counting jig
Mth3. Counts a specified number of items from 1-10 using only backward counting
Mth10. Makes purchases using a debit or credit card
Mth12. Makes purchases with coins using a vending machine
Writing or Typing Skills
WT7. Writes, types, or Braille writes words that often appear on shopping lists
Domain 6: Tolerating Skills and Eggshells
T-EDF1. A gastrostomy or nasogastric tube
T-EDF3. Thickened liquids
T-DM9. Ventilation and suction
T-BHI5. Touch, guidance, or physical prompts
T-PTA9. AFOs
T-DD1. Someone brushing your teeth
T-Trp3. Seat Belt
T-Toil9. Public restrooms
T-PRM3. A corner chair
T-BHI7. The word “no” or other indications of disapproval or incorrect responding
T-BDA5. Not being first or first in line
T-HC2. Vacuum cleaners
Domain 7: Tool Skills and Component Skills
MM2. Reaches for items
MM7. Grasps items
M3. Matches items to corresponding containers or locations
Im2. Imitates motor movements with items 

 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide 7
!

EL IVING
SSENTIAL
FOR A User Guide
Let’s begin with a roadmap, which describes ‘What to Expect’ and ‘How to Get Started’…
from time to time you can come back to this page to ‘regain your bearings’…

What to Expect
An assessment with Essential for Living (EFL) will result in…
1- a list of specific skill deficits and problem behaviors that can become goals and objectives in an IEP, an
ISP, or a behavior intervention or improvement plan, rather than a numerical indication of performance
levels with respect to typically-developing learners or published performance standards;
2- Targeted skills and behaviors that MATTER in people’s lives; and,
3- Effective alternative methods of speaking for non-verbal children and adults that will last a lifetime.
Teaching with EFL will result in…
4- More effective teaching procedures and behavior plans, and more meaningful outcomes;
5- More efficient IEP reviews and quarterly progress reports which include small increments
of learner progress; and,
6- Meaningful and achievable performance standards for teacher or therapist self-evaluation.

How to Get Started

Read the first four chapters of the Professional Practitioner’s Handbook, use this guide, and watch
EFL-Videos II and III, which will familiarize you with Essential for Living and teach you how to use it
https://www.essentialforliving.com/efl-training-video/. Select a child or an adult and obtain a
copy of the Assessment and Record of Progress [ARP] Manual (blue) [also called the All Skills
ELSSENTIAL
Learner Scoring Manual] or an Essential Assessment and Record of Progress [EARP] Manual (red)
FOR
IVING
The Assessment
and
Record of Progress [ARP] Manual

[also called the Essential Eight Skills Learner Scoring Manual], or create an account on the for ___________________________

EFL APP [eflapp.com] and open a file for the child or the adult. Patrick McGreevy
Troy Fry and Colleen Cornwall

Then, complete the activities of an assessment of skill deficits (EFL handbook, page 28-29)
Activity 1- Complete all or part of The Quick Assessment and note the ‘possible skill deficits’ suggested ELSSENTIAL
IVING
FOR

The Essential Assessment

by yourself or those you interviewed (ARP, p. 18; EARP, p. 5, or the EFL APP);
and
Record of Progress [EARP] Manual
for the Essential Eight Skills
and
Problem Behavior

for ___________________________

Activity 2- Determine the learner’s vocal profile, and, if necessary, select an alternative method Patrick McGreevy
Troy Fry and Colleen Cornwall

of speaking for the learner (EFL handbook, chapter 6)

Activity 3- [When you are just getting started with EFL, you will not need this activity; later, this activity
can replace Activity 1 (EFL handbook, p. 28)]
Activity 4- Determine the extent of 5-8 of the ‘possible skill deficits’ suggested by The Quick Assessment
(EFL handbook, pp. 28-29)
If necessary, assess problem behavior and the supports required (EFL handbook, p. 241, ARP,
p. 17, EARP, p. 4, or the EFL APP).
Select 5-8 skills and problem behaviors for inclusion in the learner’s IEP, ISP, or behavior improvement
plan and begin instruction and behavior management using the Teaching Protocols (EFL handbook,
pp. 265-278) or protocols of your own choosing
Track learner progress (EFL handbook, pp. 33-37) using your own data sheets or our self-graphing
data sheets from https://www.essentialforliving.com/data-sheets-2/; then, periodically, transfer your
data to the ARP Manual or the EARP Manual; the EFL APP will automatically transfer data from data
sheets within the APP to ARP and EARP pages that are part of the APP.
As the learner acquires targeted skills or priorities change, resume the assessment and begin
teaching new skills. When the learner acquires some of The Essential 8 skills that are applicable, also
proceed to the should-have, good-to-have, and nice-to-have skills in each of the seven skill domains.
! 8 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

Conducting an Assessment
When you first begin working with a child or an adult (hereafter referred to as your learner), conduct an initial
assessment with Essential for Living (EFL). This assessment will permit you to identify deficits in functional, life skills
and problem behaviors, and to develop goals and objectives for an IEP, ISP, behavior plan, program plan, or
support plan. Conduct additional assessments when the learner has acquired several skills or when priorities
change, necessitating the selection of additional skills or problem behaviors and the development of new
goals and objectives. If you follow the specific procedures for recording learner progress suggested by Essential
for Living, re-assessments of previously assessed skills or problem behaviors are seldom necessary.
Conducting an Assessment of Skill Deficits
Begin by obtaining a copy of The Assessment and Record of Progress [ARP] Manual (with the blue band on the
left), also known as the All Skills Learner Scoring Manual, which includes all of the skills in Essential for Living. If
your learner has an extremely limited skill repertoire or exhibits severe forms of problem behavior, you may want
to obtain a copy of The Essential Assessment and Record of Progress [EARP] Manual (with the red band on the
left), also known as the Essential Eight Skills Learner Scoring Manual, which includes only the Essential Eight Skills
and Problem Behavior. Then, proceed to page 28 of the EFL Handbook where you will see the description
below of the four activities of an assessment of skill deficits.
Activity 1 -- Complete The Essential for Living Quick Assessment (QA); see page 39 of the EFL Handbook or pages 18-20 of
the ARP (All Skills Learner Scoring) Manual; or, for an abbreviated form, see pages 5-6 of the EARP (Essential Eight
Skills Learner Scoring) Manual; or, use the EFL APP; this activity will suggest ‘possible skills deficits’ in the learner;
Activity 2 -- Using Chapter 6 of the EFL Handbook, determine the learner’s vocal profile, that is, the extent of the learner’s
intelligible spoken-word repertoire; if necessary, select and confirm an alternative, primary method of speak-ing;
indicate this method on the inside front cover of the ARP Manual or the EARP Manual;
Activity 3 -- If you are familiar with the learner and only if you are very familiar with EFL, you can skip Activity 1; and, using the
ARP Manual, the EARP Manual, or the EFL APP, scan the Must-have Skills in Domain 1, Domain 2, Domain 4, and
Domain 6 and circle ‘possible skill deficits’; if there are no apparent ‘must-have skill deficits’, obtain an ARP
Manual and proceed to the ‘should-have’ and ‘good-to- have skills’ in each of the seven Skill Domains;
Activity 4 -- Confirm and determine the extent of some of the ‘possible skill deficits’ suggested by Activities 1 or 3, using the
procedures described and illustrated on pages 28-29 of the EFL Handbook; and, indicate the learner’s
performance as shown on these pages and described on page 15 of this User Guide.
Conducting Activity 1 of an Assessment of Skill Deficits — the Quick Assessment. Review the description of this
assessment, beginning on page 39 of the EFL Handbook, and obtain a copy of an ARP or EARP Manual, or use
the EFL APP. This activity is essentially an interview with one or more people who know your learner well. If you
know your learner well, you can interview yourself. Responses during this interview suggest ‘possible deficits’ in
functional, life skills and direct you to those specific deficits or to sections within EFL which address those deficits.
Complete the first two items as shown below and as many other items as seem to apply to your learner. Re-
phrase the description of each item as a question and ask that question of one or more of the people you
interview or yourself. Then, determine which of the four options most closely resembles their or your response.
For example, with the first item, ask the question “To what extent does your learner exhibit spontaneous, under-
standable spoken words and do spoken-word repetitions occur?”. Then, determine which of the four options
most closely resembles their or your response.
Spoken Words: the extent to which a learner exhibits spontaneous, understandable spoken words and the
conditions under which spoken-word repetitions occur
4 Exhibits many spontaneous, spoken-words, nearly typical spoken-word interactions, and spoken-word
repetitions when asked to do so, all of which are understandable 6. MS (Methods of Speaking)- Vocal Profile 1
3 Exhibits a few spontaneous spoken words and spoken-word repetitions, both of which are
understandable 6. MS (Methods of Speaking)- Vocal Profiles 2 or 3
2 Exhibits occasional words or spoken-word repetitions, but neither are understandable
6. MS (Methods of Speaking)- Vocal Profiles 4 or 5
1 Exhibits only noises and a few sounds 6. MS (Methods of Speaking)- Vocal Profile 6
Let’s say that their or your response resembled option 2. Then, circle number two. Then, notice the bold print at
the end this option, which suggests that you go to Chapter 6 and either Vocal Profile 4 or 5 and determine
which of these profiles most closely describes your learner. Then, this profile will suggest whether or not your
learner requires an alternative method of speaking. Then, if they or you selected options 1, 2, or 3, go on to the
next item (otherwise, skip the next item) and ask the question “Does your learner have an effective, alternative
method of speaking?”. Again, determine which of the 4 options most closely resembles their or your response.
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide 9
!

Alternative Method of Speaking: a method of speaking used by learners, who do not exhibit understandable
spoken words or spoken-word repetitions
4 has been using an effective, alternative method of speaking for more than 6 months
3 has been using an effective, alternative method of speaking for 1-6 months
2 a new alternative method of speaking is being tested 6. MS (Methods of Speaking)- Tables 15,16
1 Has no formal method of speaking or is using one or more ineffective methods
6. MS (Methods of Speaking)- AMS… Alternative Methods of Speaking 1-46
Let’s say that their or your response was best described by option 1. Then, circle number one. Again, notice the
bold print at the end this option, which suggests that you go to Chapter 6, begin to select an alternative
method of speaking for your learner, and test its effectiveness, which is Activity 2 of an Assessment of Skill Defi-
cits. This activity, which is described on pages 10-13 of this guide, may take several months or longer to com-
plete. If their or your response was best described by options 3 or 4, move on to the next item. Otherwise, skip
the next item and complete other areas of the Quick Assessment that address listening, daily living, and toler-
ating skills that seem to apply to your learner. Feel free to complete some or all of the remaining items.
With the next item, ask the question “Does your learner make requests for highly preferred items and acti-
vities?”. Again, determine which of the four options most closely resembles their or your response.
One. Making Requests – the tendency to make requests for highly preferred items and activities
4 Makes requests for 10 or more preferred items or activities without prompts using an effective method of speaking
7a. Domain 1. R14, R17-21, R22-24, R27-28, R30-31
3 Makes requests for 1-3 preferred items or activities with or without prompts 7a. Domain 1. R7-8
2 Makes requests by leading others to items 7a. Domain 1. R1-5, R6, R7-8
1 Makes requests by exhibiting problem behavior 7a. Domain 1. R1-5, R6, R7-8
Let’s say that their or your response was “He takes you to what he wants” and, as a result, option 2 was circled
as shown. This response suggests that you proceed to Chapter 7a., Domain 1, and that skills R1-5, R6, or R7-8,
represent ‘possible skill deficits’ for your learner. Like this item, the remaining items in the Quick Assessment will
suggest ‘other possible skill deficits’ for your learner. While, the results of the Quick Assessment can be summar-
ized using the grid shown below (see page 5 of the ARP manual, page 18 of the EARP manual, or the EFL APP)…

the most important outcome of the Quick Assessment is a list of ‘possible skill deficits’. If you are using the ARP or
EARP manual, assemble this list by noting the answers that were circled and the skill numbers that followed
each of these answers — these are the ‘possible skill deficits’ relative to safe and effective living (see below).
The EFL APP automatically selects and names there skills.
Requests and Related Listener Responses R1-5, R6, R7-8, R9, R10-13, R15-16
Listener Responses LR1-11
Daily Living Skills DLS-EDF1-9, DLS-Slp1-2, DLS-MT1-5, DLS-AHS1-15, DLS-HS1-8,
DLS-MT8, DLS-LAH6
Tolerating Skills T-BHI1-5, T-EDF1-11, T-DM1-9, T-Slp1-5, T-Toil1-5, T-PRM1-6,
T-PTA1-11, T-PEMR1-10, T-BPH1-8, T-DD1
Using the EFL handbook, become familiar with each of these skills. Then, select 5-8 skills that are important for
your learner relative to safe and effective living, and complete Activity 4 (which completes an assessment of
skill deficits).
If you would like to begin conducting a Quick Assessment for your learner, go to page 27 of this guide.
! 10 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

[Conducting Activity 3 of an Assessment of Skill Deficits — Scanning the ARP Manual, the EARP Manual, or the
EFDL APP and looking for ‘possible skill deficits’. This activity includes scanning either the ARP manual, the EARP
manual, or the EFL APP and looking for ‘possible skill deficits’. Activity 3 may be more efficient than the Quick
Assessment, and may replace it, but you should only do so if you are very familiar with both your learner and
Essential for Living, and your learner exhibits an extensive skill repertoire with no problem behavior.]
Conducting Activity 2 of an Assessment of Skill Deficits — Determining your learner’s vocal profile and, when
necessary, selecting and confirming an alternative, primary method of speaking. This activity, which is
described in chapter 6 of the EFL handbook, was designed for children and adults with a limited repertoire of
spoken words or no spoken words at all. This group of learners are often described as either echolalic or non-
verbal and includes those who have been provided with an alternative method of speaking which is not
effective, that is, a method which does not meet our CAFE standard — a method that is Continuously Available
and permits the learner to Frequently and Effortlessly make requests for preferred items, activities, places, and
people. Chapter 6 of the EFL handbook and Activity 2 were co-authored by Janine Shapiro, a speech-
language pathologist and behavior analyst. Essential for Living is the only manual or instrument on the market
today that includes such a chapter.
Activity 2 will help you determine when to select ‘saying words’ as a learner’s primary method of speaking,
when to select an alternative primary method, and how to allocate resources. Making this decision is
accomplished by aligning your learner with one of six Vocal Profiles based on that learner’s repertoire of spoken
words and spoken-word repetitions and the extent to which these repertoires are understandable. And, when
an alter-native method is necessary, these profiles help you decide how to allocate resources between
increasing the learner’s spoken-word repertoire and selecting, confirming, and maintaining an alternative
method of speaking.
Review the six vocal profiles beginning on pages 47 and 48 of the EFL Handbook. These profiles are as follows:
Vocal Profile 1: Typical Spoken-word Interactions and Controlled Spoken-word Repetitions
Vocal Profile 2: Uncontrolled or Controlled Spoken-word Repetitions
Vocal Profile 3: Occasional Words or Phrases
Vocal Profile 4: Uncontrolled or Controlled Spoken-word Repetitions that are Not Understandable
Vocal Profile 5: Occasional Words that are Not Understandable
Vocal Profile 6: Noises, a Few Sounds, and Syllables
Determine which profile most closely describes your learner. Sometimes your learner may be aligned with more
than one profile. If your learner is clearly aligned with Vocal Profile 1, ‘saying words’ (that is, ‘spoken words’)
should become or be retained as their primary method of speaking. If your learner is partly or clearly aligned
with Vocal Profile 2, you can make the same decision, but only if you know or are willing to learn the echoic-to-
request teaching procedure described on page 265 of the EFL handbook. Otherwise, you will need to select
and confirm an alternative method of speaking for your learner. If your learner is clearly aligned with Vocal
Profiles 3-6, you should begin the process of selecting and confirming an alternative method of speaking.
Activity 2 will also help you learn how to select an alternative, primary method of speaking. This task is accom-
plished by matching a learner with specific, alternative methods of speaking based on the learner’s sensory,
skill, and behavioral repertoires and the extent to which these repertoires tend to occur when specific methods
of speaking are effective. These repertoires include:
H hearing S sighted
HI hearing impaired VI visually impaired
HVI hearing & visually impaired
Am ambulatory NAm non-ambulatory
A active I inactive
FM fine motor coordination <FM limited or no fine motor coordination
MI motor imitation <MI limited or no fine motor imitation
M matching <M limited or no matching
PB moderate or severe problem behavior
-PB no moderate or severe problem behavior
Selecting an alternative primary method of speaking is accomplished with The Selection Diagram, an acetate
sheet which is enclosed with the EFL handbook and shown on the next page.
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !11

The Selection Diagram

The Learner’s Current Sensory, Skill, and Behavioral Repertoires

H S HI VI HVI Am NAm A I FM <FM MI <MI M <M PB -PB

In order to practice selecting an alternative method of speaking for a non-verbal learner, let’s consider the
following example:
A learner is…
hearing and sighted,
ambulatory and active,
with good fine motor coordination,
has limited or no motor imitation,
has limited or no matching skills,
and exhibits moderate or severe problem behavior.
We fill out the diagram accordingly…..
The Selection Diagram

The Learner’s Current Sensory, Skill, and Behavioral Repertoires

H S HI VI HVI Am NAm A I FM <FM MI <MI M <M PB -PB

….. and then superimpose The Selection Diagram on the diagrams for each of the 46 alternative methods of
speaking described in chapter 6. These 46 diagrams depict the repertoires that tend to occur when each of
these methods is effective, along with the advantages of spoken words that each method retains. Shown on
the next page is the Selection Diagram for this learner superimposed on the diagram for one of the 46 alter-
native methods — Alternative Method of Speaking 2 (AMS 2), Forming Standard Signs.
! 12 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

Theand
The Learner’s Current Sensory, Skill, Selection Diagram
Behavioral Repertoires

H S HI VI HVI Am NAm A I FM <FM MI <MI M <M PB -PB

Alternative Method
AMS 2: Forming standard signs (e.g., Signed English)
of Speaking

The Repertoires that Tend to Occur When AMS 2 is Effective

H S HI VI HVI Am NAm A I FM <FM MI <MI M <M PB -PB

The Advantages of ‘Saying Words’ Retained by AMS 2

Speaker P E 1S -CD Rq ND AQ Con Rd RA Large Audience

Superimposing The Selection Diagram on the diagram for Alternative Method of Speaking 2 (AMS 2), Forming
Standard Signs indicates that there were seven ‘repertoire matches’ (see the boxes with bold borders), that is,
there is substantial agreement between the learner’s sensory, skill, and behavioral repertoire and the repertoire
that tends to occur when AMS 2 is effective. This agreement suggests that AMS 2 should be set aside for
consideration as an alternative, primary method of speaking for this learner. Then, after superimposing The
Selection Diagram on the remaining alternative methods of speaking, 8-12 other methods with a similar number
of ‘matches’ should also be set aside for further consideration.
Then, with the alternative methods of speaking that have been set aside, a second step in the selection
process is added, which examines the extent to which these methods retain the advantages of ‘spoken words’
with respect to the speaker and the audience. These advantages are listed below and shown in the diagram
above:
P Children and adults can convey messages at any place and time without need for
environmental supports
E Information can be conveyed with very little effort
1S In the beginning, only one-step (i.e., single-word) responses are required
-CD In the beginning, complex discriminations are not required
Rq Many requests can be easily conveyed
ND Many items, activities, people, & places can be clearly named and described
AQ Answers to questions can clearly and easily occur
Con Conversation can easily occur
Rd Reading can be taught
RA Requests can be conveyed in the absence of what is being requested... and,
LA The speaker can be understood by a large audience of instructors, care providers, parents,
and peers with and without disabilities who do not require training
As shown in the diagram above, ‘AMS 2: Forming standard signs’ retains all ten advantages of spoken words
with respect to functioning as a speaker, but results in a much smaller audience.
From the methods that have been set aside, the one that retains for the learner a ‘quality of life balance’
between communication and language with the advantages of spoken words and the size of the learner’s
audience, is generally selected as the learner’s alternative, primary method of speaking.
An alternative method of speaking can also be selected in a more efficient manner by entering the learner’s
sensory, skill, and behavioral repertoires into a computer program, AMSCompare, which is available at https://
www.essentialforliving.com, click on the EFL menu and Selecting an Alternative Method of Speaking.
You can also select an alternative method of speaking in a still more efficient manner using the EFL APP.
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !13

Activity 2 will also help you learn how to confirm an alternative, primary method of speaking. To accomplish this
task, the EFL handbook describes eight components that should be part of testing the effectiveness of an alter-
native method of speaking, always keeping in mind the CAFE standard (see page 8):

making certain the alternative method is Continuously Available

conducting frequent instruction for 2-6 months that includes ‘making requests’ for specific,
highly preferred items and activities, NOT ‘naming or describing’ items, NOT ‘commenting’
on experiences, and NOT ‘answering questions’;
teaching requests for specific items, activities, and persons (see R6, R19, R20, and, for some
learners, R13, R15, R16, R17, and R18); NOT requests for ‘more’, ‘food’, or ‘eat’ and NOT
requests with ‘please’, ‘yes’, or ‘no‘;
when requests are exhibited consistently without prompts, adding requests for new items
and activities;
providing Frequent opportunities to make targeted requests each day;
using empirically-validated teaching procedures, such as errorless teaching, so that
requests are Effortless
collecting data to determine the extent and frequency of the targeted requests;
recording and displaying the extent to which the learner requires prompts to make
targeted requests -- collecting first opportunity of the day probe data using self-graphing
data sheets as described and demonstrated in chapter 4; when the learner makes a
request without prompts on 3 consecutive days, adding this request to a cumulative count
of requests the learner makes consistently without prompts.

When you have initiated this testing and collected data for 2-3 months, you should begin to estimate the effec-
tiveness of the selected, alternative method of speaking using the following criteria:

An alternative method of speaking should be considered effective and should be confirmed as a

learner’s primary method of speaking, if the following five criteria are met:
the alternative method is Continuously Available to the learner;
the requesting repertoire is improving rapidly, is continuing to improve gradually, or
includes many of the learner’s preferred items and activities;
the audience responds appropriately to the learner’s requests;
the learner makes Frequent, spontaneous, and Effortless requests throughout the day;
the frequency of self-injurious, aggressive, destructive, or disruptive behavior has
decreased significantly.
If any of these five criteria are not met, this method should be rejected.

Activity 2 will also help you learn how to maintain, expand, and extend the use of an alternative, primary
method of speaking. To make certain that a learner’s alternative method of speaking endures into the future,
expands the learner’s speaking repertoire, and extends that repertoire to several environments, the following
tasks must be accomplished, again keeping the CAFE standard in mind:
making certain that the learner’s method of speaking is as accessible and portable as possible (CA),
insuring frequent responding as a speaker;
capturing and contriving frequent (F) opportunities each day for the learner to respond as a speaker;
learning to understand and respond as an effective listener to what the learner ‘says’, providing others
who respond in the same manner, and, if necessary, training others to respond accordingly;
learning to prompt the learner to exhibit new, effortless (E) speaker responses and fade prompts;
completing the first four tasks in the learner’s school, home or residence, and day activity or
employment setting.
Activity 2, finally, will help you learn how to select, confirm, and maintain concurrent, back-up, and secondary
methods of speaking. Some learners will require concurrent methods, that is, two methods at the same time;
others will require back-up methods to increase the size of their audience, and still others will require secondary
methods that increase the extent of the speaker repertoire. Procedures for selecting, confirming, and maintain-
ing these methods are also described in the EFL handbook.
! 14 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

Conducting Activity 4 of an Assessment of Skill Deficits — Confirming and determining the extent of some of the
‘possible skill deficits’ suggested by Activities 1 or 3. This task begins with examining a list of ‘possible skill deficits’
suggested by the Quick Assessment, like the one below…..
Requests and Related Listener Responses R1-5, R6, R7-8, R9, R10-13, R15-16
Listener Responses LR1-11
Daily Living Skills DLS-EDF1-9, DLS-Slp1-2, DLS-MT1-5, DLS-AHS1-15, DLS-HS1-8
DLS-MT8, DLS-LAH6
Tolerating Skills T-BHI1-5, T-EDF1-11, T-DM1-9, T-Slp1-5, T-Toil1-5, T-PRM1-6,
T-PTA1-11, T-PEMR1-10, T-BPH1-8, T-DD1
….. and, from that list, selecting some skills for instruction like the ones below…..

Skill Number Skill Description

R7: Makes requests for highly preferred snack foods, drinks, non-food items,
or activities that can be made frequently and immediately available
R9: Waits after making requests for each of the items and activities in R7
and R8 for gradually increasing periods of time
R15: ‘Accepts no’ after making requests for items and activities that were
taught and are often honored (R7, R8, and R14)
LR2: Moves toward and stands or sits next to an instructor, care provider, or
parent when directed to do so
DLS-AHS12: Does not put harmful, non-nutritive items in their mouth
DLS-MT8: Walks with a gait trainer
DLS-LAH6: Colors, draws, or paints pictures
T-BHI5: Tolerating touch, physical guidance, or physical prompts
T-DD1: Tolerating someone brushing your teeth

….. and then, completing Activity 4 and an initial assessment of skill deficits by placing your learner in situations
in which these skills are expected to occur and recording their initial performance.
Since Essential for Living includes a lot of material to ‘unpack’, you may be feeling ‘overwhelmed’. Before you
begin to record your learner’s initial performance on these skills, you may decide to…

pause

[that is, ‘hit the pause button’ on this User Guide]

and begin recording their performance using a method with which you are familiar.

You can always return to this Guide at a later time, pick up where you left off… and learn to record incremental
performance levels on these and other skills, to conduct an assessment of problem behavior, to use the teach-
ing protocols that part of Essential for Living, and to record small increments of learner progress using the those
same performance levels.
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !15

When you return to Activity 4, review Tables 2 and 3 on pages 28 and 29 of the EFL handbook, the next few
pages of this guide, or EFL Video III [https://essentialforliving.sharefile.com/d-s3e4c8a717664382b]. Then, begin
to complete an initial assessment of skill deficits by recording incremental performance levels in an ARP or EARP
manual or in the EFL APP for each of the skills selected for instruction. These levels begin with problem behavior
and resistance to prompts, and proceed to prompting, prompt-fading, skill acquisition, fluency generalization,
and skill maintenance over time.
For example, let’s take the first skill selected for instruction from the list on page 14:
R7. Makes requests for highly preferred snack foods, drinks, non-food items, or activities
that can be made frequently and immediately available
Let’s assume that you are already aware that a specific type of crackers and grape juice are highly preferred
by your learner. Let’s further assume that your learner has an effective method of speaking [AMS 3 — Forming a
Repertoire of Standard, Adapted, and Idiosyncratic Signs] and a small repertoire of requests that does not yet
include the crackers or grape juice. Begin Activity 4 by making the crackers available to your learner. When
your learner reaches for the crackers, prevent access and wait for a response. If your learner does not exhibit
any form of self-injurious, aggressive, destructive, or disruptive behavior, or intense complaining, mark the -SA
and -DC boxes (see the diagram below) and give your learner a piece of cracker. Then, initiate a full prompt of
the adapted sign for ‘crackers’ [a demonstration prompt if the learner imitates motor movements, a full physi-
cal prompt if not]. If your learner responds to the prompt without significant resistance, mark the -RP and FP
boxes and give your learner another piece of cracker. Then, initiate a partial demonstration or partial physical
prompt. If your learner does not respond with the sign, you will have come to the PP box, which you cannot
mark. Then, go back and mark the IA box to indicate that the initial assessment of this skill with this item has
been completed.
Later, make grape juice available to your learner. If, after several seconds, your learner reaches for the grape
juice, prevent access and wait for a response. If your learner does not exhibit any form of self-injurious behavior,
but screams and yells loudly and starts pounding the table with his fist, mark the -SA box to indicate there was
no self-injurious, aggressive, or destructive behavior, but not the -DC box (without disruptive behavior or com-
plaints), because disruptive behavior or intense complaining had occurred (see the diagram below). Since you
have come to the -DC box and cannot mark it, go back and mark the IA box to indicate that the initial
assessment of this skill with this item has been completed.
Review other examples from Tables 2 and 3 on pages 28 and 29 of the Essential for Living handbook. You will
notice that there are additional, incremental performance levels used with other skills. These 22 levels are
described on page 25 of the Essential for Living handbook. When you complete this activity with the remaining
skills selected for instruction, you will have completed an initial assessment of skill deficits for your learner.

R7. Makes requests for highly preferred snack foods, drinks, non-food items, …
1 crackers IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det
2 grape juice IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det
When motivating events occur, learners request specific items, activities, or persons, or request
specific information consistent with those events on three consecutive occasions...
IA [ the initial assessment of this skill has been completed ]
IM [ instruction or management has begun ]
-SA without self-injurious, aggressive, or destructive behavior
-DC without disruptive behavior or complaints
-RP without resistance to prompts and without leaving the area
FP with a full physical, full demonstration, or full echoic prompt
PP with a partial physical, partial demonstration, or partial echoic prompt
MP with a minimal touch, minimal gestural, or minimal echoic prompt
Ind without prompts, without scrolling, and within two seconds
2S in two or more settings
2P in the presence of either of two people
<M when motivating events have occurred, but are weak
NI when the learner does not have sensory contact with the requested item or activity
(does not apply to some requests)
Det [ requests are no longer occurring consistently ]
! 16 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

Conducting an Assessment of Problem Behavior

As you are completing Activity 1 (The Essential for Living Quick Assessment), note the responses of yourself or
those you interviewed that were scored as ‘1’. Then, interview others, observe the learner directly, determine if
the learner is exhibiting behaviors that result in a significant problem, and determine if it would be helpful to
collect data on the extent of its occurrence. Then, define these problem behaviors as instances or episodes of
specific movements as described in the Essential for Living handbook. Then, designate each movement as self-
injurious (SIB), aggressive (Agg), destructive (Des), disruptive (Dis), or repetitive (Rep). Using the Problem Behav-
ior Direct Observation and Interview Form, as shown below, or your own data recording form…
record the daily frequency of instances or episodes of these behaviors for part or all of the day
record the intensity of these behaviors (Sev, Mod, Mild);
determine if the learner is taking psychoactive medications, along with the name of the medications and
the current dosage (Med);
record the extent to which protective equipment or mechanical restraints are used and specify whether
either is continuous (PEA or MRA) or contingent (PEC or MRC);
record the extent to which crisis stabilization procedures(CS) are used; and,
record the extent to which the learner exhibits self-restraint (SR).

ESSENTIAL FOR LIVING

Problem Behavior Direct Observation and Interview Form
Learner: (learner’s name) Environment(s): (classroom)
Date: Feb. 27 Observer or Person Interviewed: (teacher) Counting Period: 6 hours

Definition of Problem Behavior 1 — hits his own Definition of Problem Behavior 2 --

head with his fist

Instance Episode SIB Agg Des Dis Rep Instance Episode SIB Agg Des Dis Rep

Medications: Risperdal (.5mg BID), Tenex (1.0 mg)

Direct Observation
PB1 Intensity MRA MRC PEA PEC CS (min) SR PB2 Intensity MRA MRC PEA PEC CS (min) SR
1 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 11 1 Sev-Mod-Mild
2 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 8 2 Sev-Mod-Mild
3 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 3 Sev-Mod-Mild
4 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 12 4 Sev-Mod-Mild
5 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 5 Sev-Mod-Mild
6 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 6 Sev-Mod-Mild
7 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 6 7 Sev-Mod-Mild
8 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 8 Sev-Mod-Mild
9 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 12 9 Sev-Mod-Mild
10 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 10 Sev-Mod-Mild
11 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 11 Sev-Mod-Mild
12 Sev-Mod-Mild helmet 12 Sev-Mod-Mild
13 Sev-Mod-Mild 13 Sev-Mod-Mild
14 Sev-Mod-Mild 14 Sev-Mod-Mild
Interview
This behavior occurs 30-40 per day ___ per week This behavior occurs ___ per day ___ per week
___ per month ___ per year ___ per month ___ per year
and the intensity is: x sev ___ mod ___ mild and the intensity is: ___ sev ___ mod ___ mild
The learner wears, requires, or exhibits: The learner wears, requires, or exhibits:
MRA or MRC: none MRA or MRC: _________________________________
PEA or PEC: soft, karate helmet PEA or PEC: __________________________________
CS: 40-50 minutes per day ___ hours per week CS: ____ minutes per day ____ hours per week
SR: none SR: __________________________________________
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !17

In the example on the previous page, a learner, 20

on the first day of the problem behavior assess-
ment, exhibited twelve episodes of self-injurious Hits his own head with his fist

Per School Day (6 hours)

behav-ior, specifically, hitting his own head with 15

Number of Episodes
his fist, and wore a protective helmet throughout
the school day (PEA). Episodes were recorded
during a six-hour school day, rather than instan- 10
ces, as ‘hits’ often occurred in rapid succession,
making them difficult to record. Each episode
5
was severe in intensity (Sev), but only five epi-
sodes required crisis stabilization procedures (CS)
from 6-12 minutes in duration. Continue collecting 0
these data. After 6-10 days, transfer the data to a Successive Calendar Days
graph like the one shown on the right, the Stan-
dard Celeration Chart, or the Adapted Standard Celeration Chart. Then, transfer these data to the
diagram shown below, (see the ARP Manual, page 17, or the EARP Manual, page 4, or the EFL APP).

PB1: hits own head with his fist…. occurs in the absence of Skills R7 and R9

IA IM Instance Episode SIB Agg Des Dis Rep

Sev Mod Mild

Med3+> Med3+ Med3+< Med2> Med2 Med2< Med1> Med1 Med1< -Med

MRA MRC MR>2 MR>1 MR MR<1 MR<2 MR<3 -MR

PEA PEC PE>2 PE>1 PE PE>1 PE<2 PE<3 -PE

CS CS CS CS<30m
CS>5hW -CS
2-5hW 1-2hW 30m-1hW W
SR>2 SR>1 SR SR<1 SR<2 SR<3 -SR

>100D 50-100D 20-50D 10-20D 1-10D <1D <1W <1M <1Y

Type of Problem Behavior: Psychoactive Medications:

SIB: Self-injurious Med 3+> 3 + medications with some increases in dosage
Agg: Aggressive Med 3+ 3 + medications
Des: Destructive Med 3+< 3 + medications with some reductions in dosage
Dis: Disruptive Med 2> 2 medications with some increases in dosage
Rep: Repetitive Med 2 2 medications
Med 2< 2 medications with some reductions in dosage
Intensity of Problem Behavior: Med 1> 1 medication with some increases in dosage
Sev: Severe Med 1 1 medication
Mod: Moderate Med 1< 1 medication with some reductions in dosage
Mild: Mild -Med No medications

Mechanical Restraints: Protective Equipment:

MRA- continuous MRC- contingent PEA- continuous PEC- contingent
MR>2 have been increased twice PE>2 has been increased twice
MR>1 have been increased once PE>1 has been increased once
MR at the time of the initial assessment PE at the time of the initial assessment
MR<1 have been partially faded once PE<1 has been partially faded once
MR<2 have been partially faded twice PE<2 has been partially faded twice
MR<3 have been partially faded 3 times PE<3 has been partially faded 3 times
-MR are not required -PE is not required

Crisis Stabilization Procedures: Self-restraints:

CS>5hW are used more than 5 hrs./week SR>2 have been increased twice
CS2-5hW are used 2-5 hrs./week SR>1 have been increased once
CS1-2hW are used 1-2 hrs./week SR at the time of the initial assessment
CS30m-1hW are used 30 mins. -- 1 hr./week SR<1 have been partially faded once
CS<30mW are used < 30 mins./week SR<2 have been partially faded twice
-CS are not required SR<3 have been partially faded 3 times
-SR self-restraints are not occurring
! 18 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

Then, begin conducting a traditional functional assessment, a synthesized functional assessment (as suggested
by Hanley and colleagues), or begin managing problem behavior in the context of skill development (see EFL
handbook, page 249). We would strongly suggest the second or third of these options. The third option includes
estimating which of the Essential Eight Skills are not occurring when problem behaviors occur (see PB1 on the
previous page). As shown in the table below, this option may indirectly estimate one or more functions of the
problem behaviors, while suggesting specific teaching procedures, appropriate replacement skills, and, more
importantly, replacement skill repertoires (also, see the the Essential for Living Companion Teaching Manual IV).

The Essential Eight Skills and the Likely Functions of Problem Behaviors
that Occur in the Absence of These Skills

The Essential Eight: Eight Must-have Skills that are part of Skill Domains 1, 2, 4, and 6
One. MAKING REQUESTS for an One. MAKING REQUESTS for the One. MAKING REQUESTS for
audience removal or reduction in intensity preferred items and
of non-preferred situations activities
One. MAKING REQUESTS for Two. WAITING
companionship
One. MAKING REQUESTS for Three. ACCEPTING REMOVALS -- the
affection Removal of Preferred Items
and Activities, Making
Transitions, Sharing, and
Taking Turns
One. MAKING REQUESTS for Four. COMPLETING REQUIRED TASKS --
feedback, approval, or 10 Consecutive, Brief, Previously
confirmation Acquired Tasks
One. MAKING REQUESTS for Five. ACCEPTING ‘NO’
acknowledgment

Six. FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS Related

to Health and Safety
Seven. COMPLETING DAILY LIVING
SKILLS Related to Health and
Safety
Eight. TOLERATING SITUATIONS
Related to Health and Safety

The Likely Functions of Problem Behaviors that Occur in the Absence of The Essential Eight
attention avoidance or escape from demands, access to tangible items or
and, possibly, attention as well activities, and, possibly,
attention as well

Teaching and Recording Learner Progress

Teaching Functional Skills and Managing Problem Behaviors
After conducting an assessment of skill deficits and problem behavior, begin reducing the extent of those defi-
cits, along with the intensity and frequency of specific problem behaviors, by using teaching protocols and
procedures with which you are familiar or the Teaching Protocols that begin on page 265 of the EFL handbook.
Each of these protocols includes procedures that have been validated in the scientific literature. The first part of
Teaching Protocol 1 is shown below.
Teaching Protocol 1. Making Requests (Skills R7-8, R14, R17-21 and other skills that include making requests)
[includes the echoic-to-request teaching procedure]
What to Do What Not to Do
1. Make items and activities available that are highly preferred; wait for the 1. Say, “What do you want?”
learner to indicate by gesturing what he ‘wants’ at that moment; proceed to
step 2 or 3
2. For learners aligned with Vocal Profiles 1 or 2 (i.e., learners who reliably repeat
spoken words), immediately provide an echoic prompt -- say the word or
phrase that corresponds to the item or activity the learner wants (e.g., cookie);
if a learner’s repetitions are controlled, also provide a vocal cue to do so (e.g.,
“say, (pause) cookie”)
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !19

Recording Learner Progress on Functional, Life Skills

As mentioned earlier, you can use your own method of recording learner performance on functional, life skills or
the method suggested by Essential for Living. This method includes incremental performance levels and permits
the tracking of small increments of learner progress with respect to problem behavior, resistance to prompts,
prompts and prompt-fading, skill acquisition, fluency, generalization, and skill maintenance over time. No other
curriculum permits the tracking of these incremental performance levels.
Shown below are the results of a completed assessment for two items within skill R7 for a specific learner, previ-
ously depicted on page 15 of this guide. When instruction was begun for each of the items, the IM boxes were
shaded in green in an ARP or an EARP learner scoring manual, or in the EFL APP, indicating a specific time
period (e.g., a school year or a calendar quarter) after the initial assessment was completed.

R7. Makes requests for highly preferred snack foods, drinks, non-food items, …
1 crackers IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det
2 grape juice IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det
When motivating events occur, learners request specific items, activities, or persons, or request
specific information consistent with those events on three consecutive occasions...
IA [ the initial assessment of this skill has been completed ]
IM [ instruction or management has begun ]
-SA without self-injurious, aggressive, or destructive behavior
-DC without disruptive behavior or complaints
-RP without resistance to prompts and without leaving the area
FP with a full physical, full demonstration, or full echoic prompt
PP with a partial physical, partial demonstration, or partial echoic prompt
MP with a minimal touch, minimal gestural, or minimal echoic prompt
Ind without prompts, without scrolling, and within two seconds
2S in two or more settings
2P in the presence of either of two people
<M when motivating events have occurred, but are weak
NI when the learner does not have sensory contact with the requested item or
activity (does not apply to some requests)
Det [ requests are no longer occurring consistently ]

Suppose a teacher conducted one or more instructional sessions with this learner during snack and lunch time
using Teaching Protocol 1. Before the first instructional session of the day, this teacher conducted a ‘first-
opportunity-of-the-day probe’. That is, the teacher provided the learner with an opportunity to respond without
prompts and only added prompts when these were necessary for the learner to make a specific request or
make that request in a specific situation. The learner’s performance on this first opportunity was recorded on a
self-graphing data sheet, part of which is shown below. Then, the teacher proceeded with an instructional ses-
sion and no other data on this skill were recorded that day. Data sheets like this for a variety of skills can be
downloaded from https://essentialforliving.sharefile.com/share/view/scd7d493caa04d0d8/fob2fb7e-1335-44c5-
a726-9a374b46da5a or a part of the EFL APP.

Day/Date and First Opportunity of the Day Probe

Specific Request
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

R7. Requesting NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI
<M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M
crackers 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P
2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S
Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind
MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP
PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP
FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP
-RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP
-DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC
-SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
! 20 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

As shown on the previous page, the learner continued to require a full prompt (in the learner’s case, a full physi-
cal prompt) on the first three days of instruction. On the first day of the following week, however, on the first
opportunity of that day, the learner requested crackers with only a partial, physical prompt. Then, on Wednes-
day and Thursday of that week, he repeated that same performance. As a result of three consecutive instan-
ces of improved performance on the first opportunity of the day, the teacher recorded this performance in the
ARP or EARP manual by shading the PP box in green as shown below or this performance is automatically
recorded in that section of the EFL APP.

R7. Makes requests for highly preferred snack foods, drinks, non-food items, …
1 crackers IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det

2 grape juice IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det

Additional improvements in performance on this and other skills during the same school year were indicated by
the color green on the data sheets and the ARP or EARP manual, or the EFL APP. Improvements in performance
in subsequent years were indicated by other colors, while additional assessments continued to be indicated in
yellow.

R7. Makes requests for highly preferred snack foods, drinks, non-food items, …

1 crackers IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det

2 grape juice IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det

R9. Waits after making requests for each of the items and activities in R7 and R8 …
1 crackers IA IM 1s 2s 5s 10s 20s 1m 2m 5m 10m 20m Det
2 grape juice IA IM 1s 2s 5s 10s 20s 1m 2m 5m 10m 20m Det

Sometimes learners experience a deterioration in their performance. As shown in the data sheet below with the
same example, the learner, who was responding with a partial prompt, on the first opportunity on Friday, wait-
ed for a full prompt (FP). After filling in the data sheet, as shown below, the teacher circled the Det box in the
ARP or EARP manual with a pencil and drew an arrow from that box to the box that indicated the deteriorated
performance (see below). In the EFL APP, the performance deterioration would have been automatically
transferred from the data sheet to that section of the APP.

Day/Date and First Opportunity of the Day Probe

Specific Request
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

R7. Requesting NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI
<M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M
crackers
2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P
2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S
Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind
MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP
PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP
FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP
-RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP
-DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC
-SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

R7. Makes requests for highly preferred snack foods, drinks, non-food items, …
1 crackers IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det
2 grape juice IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !21

As shown below, the learner’s performance then returned to its previous level for 3 consecutive days and the
teacher erased the pencil marks, which would have been erased automatically in the EFL APP.
Day/Date and First Opportunity of the Day Probe
Specific Request
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W

R7. Requesting NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI
<M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M <M
crackers 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P 2P
2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S 2S
Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind Ind
MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP MP
PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP
FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP FP
-RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP -RP
-DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC -DC
-SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA -SA
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

R7. Makes requests for highly preferred snack foods, drinks, non-food items, …
1 crackers IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det
2 grape juice IA IM -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI Det

Recording Learner Progress on Problem Behavior 20

You can record learner progress on problem behavior Hits his own head with his fist
using your own graphs (shown on the right). You are
Per School Day (6 hours)

15
Number of Episodes

encouraged to use the Standard Celeration Chart, or

the Adapted Standard Celeration Chart by opening
an account and accessing Chartlytics… 10
https://app.chartlytics.com/login
You can also record the supports this behavior requires 5
over extended periods of time using the diagram
below, which is found on page 17 of the ARP manual,
page 4 of the EARP manual, or in the EFL APP. 0
Successive Calendar Days

PB1 (Problem Behavior 1): hits his own head with his fist

IA IM Instance Episode SIB Agg Des Dis Rep

Sev Mod Mild
Med3+> Med3+ Med3+< Med2> Med2 Med2< Med1> Med1 Med1< -Med
PEA PEC PE>2 PE>1 PE PE<1 PE<2 PE<3 -PE
MRA MRC MR>2 MR>1 MR MR<1 MR<2 MR<3 -MR

CS CS CS
CS>5hW CS<30mW -CS
2-5hW 1-2hW 30m-1hW

SR>2 SR>1 SR SR<1 SR<2 SR<3 -SR

>100D 50-100D 20-50D 10-20D 1-10D <1D <1W <1M <1Y

By the end of the first school year, our learner was exhibiting fewer episodes of head-hitting per day (indicated
by the 1-10D box shaded in green), but with the same intensity (indicated by no box shaded in green in the
second row of the diagram). He continued to wear the same helmet continuously (indicated by no box
shaded in green in the fourth row of the diagram) and required the same two medications, but with a dosage
reduction (indicated by the Med2< box shaded in green). In addition, he required only 30 minutes to one hour
of crisis stabilization procedures per week (indicated by the CS 30m-1hW box shaded in green).
! 22 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

By the end of the second school year (indicated by the boxes shaded in pink), our learner was exhibiting less
than one episode of head-hitting per day with less intensity, was taking only one medication, and was wearing
the helmet continuously, although it had been reduced in size 3 times. And, our learner no longer required crisis
stabilization procedures. In summary, over a two-year period of time, our learner demonstrated substantial
improvement with respect to both problem behavior and the supports that behavior required.

Summarizing Learner Progress across All Targeted Skills

As has been shown in the past few pages, the learner’s performance on all skills that have been assessed can
be precisely documented. And, on skills in which instruction has begun, small increments of progress or deteri-
oration can also be documented. In the ARP and EARP manuals and in the EFL APP, performance on these skills
can also be summarized by skill number or by skill number and current performance level. These summary
pages are shown on the next two pages of this guide. The first diagram is a summary by skill number.
As you can see in this summary diagram on page 23, only one box is provided for each skill and the scoring is
yes/no (binary). As a result, our learner’s performance on Skill R7, item 1, requesting crackers, can only be
summarized during an assessment or during skill acquisition when prompts are not required. The occurrence of
problem behavior (if any), the extent to which prompts are required, the extent to which generalization has
occurred, and the extent to which deterioration may have occurred, will all be absent from this summary.
The second diagram is a summary by skill number and current performance level and is shown below. This time,
the learner’s performance during an assessment and after instruction has begun, can easily be summarized
before, during, and after prompts are required. And, as shown on page 24, this summary will include all of the
components absent from the first summary.

ESSENTIAL FOR LIVING: MY NOTES

(a place for some of my notes)
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !23
A Summary of the Learner’s Assessments and Subsequent Progress (SAP) 1
!

ESSENTIAL FOR LIVING

A Summary of the Learner’s Assessments and Subsequent Progress
on The Essential Eight Skills (SAP)
Must-have Indications of interest, Requests, and Related Listener Responses.... Part of Domain 1 (R)
Indications of Interest and Initial Requests R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 1 2? 3? 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Special Requests and Waiting R8 1 2 R9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Accepting Removals R10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Completing Required Tasks, Sharing and Taking Turns R11 R12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Making Transitions R13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Requests for Removal or Reduction and Accepting No R14 R15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R16 1 2 3

Additional Requests and Polite Refusals R17 R18 1 2 3 R19 R20 R21

Must-have Listener Responses: Following Directions Related to Health and Safety.... Part of Domain 2 (LR)
Following Directions Related to Health and Safety LR1 LR2? LR3 LR4 LR5 LR6 LR7 LR8 LR9 LR10 LR11

Must-have Daily Living Skills Related to Health and Safety.... Part of Domain 4 (DLS)
Eating, Drinking, and Feeding DLS- EDF1 EDF2 1 2 3 EDF3 1 2 3 EDF4 1 2 3 EDF5 1 2 3
EDF6 1 2 3 EDF7 1 2 3 EDF8 EDF9

Sleeping DLS- Slp1 Slp2

Mobility and Transportation DLS- MT1 MT2 MT3 MT4 MT5

Avoiding Harm DLS- AHS1 AHS2 AHS3 AHS4 AHS5 AHS6 AHS7 AHS8 AHS9 AHS10 AHS11 AHS12 AHS13 AHS14 AHS15

Other Activities Related to Health and Safety DLS- HS1 HS2 HS3 HS4 HS5 HS6 HS7 HS8

Must-have Tolerating Skills Related to Health and Safety.... Part of Domain 6 (T)
Basic Human Interaction T- BHI1 BHI2 BHI3 BHI4 BHI5

Eating, Drinking, and Feeding T- EDF1 EDF2 EDF3 EDF4 EDF5 EDF6 EDF7 EDF8 EDF9 EDF10 EDF11

Daily Medical Procedures and Medication Administration T- DM1 DM2 DM3 DM4 DM5 DM6 DM7 DM8 DM9

Sleeping T- Slp1 Slp2 Slp3 Slp4 Slp5

Toileting T- Toil1 Toil2 Toil3 Toil4 Toil5

Positioning and Range of Motion T- PRM1 PRM2 PRM3 PRM4 PRM5 PRM6

Prosthetic, Therapeutic, and Adapted Equipment T- PTA1 PTA2 PTA3 PTA4 PTA5 PTA6 PTA7 PTA8 PTA9 PTA10 PTA11

Protective Equipment and Mechanical Restraints T- PEMR1 PEMR2 PEMR3 PEMR4 PEMR5 PEMR6 PEMR7 PEMR8 PEMR9 PEMR10

Bathing and Personal Hygiene T- BPH1 BPH2 BPH3 BPH4 BPH5 BPH6 BPH7 BPH8

Daily Dental Procedures T- DD1

Legend
(enter a designated symbol or color in each box)
This skill is not appropriate or necessary for this learner (NA) The learner’s performance during an assessment
Changes in the learner’s performance during successive periods of time after the initial assessment...
(circle one) one quarter, six months, one year, one school year, or _____________________
1st. period 2nd. period 3rd. period 4th. period 5th. period 6th. period
7th. period 8th. period 9th. period 10th. period 11th. period 12th. period
Using a pencil, circle a skill or performance level in which a deterioration in performance has occurred.
Erase this circle when performance has been re-established.
! 24 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide
! 2 A Summary of the Learner’s Assessments and Subsequent Progress (SAP)

ESSENTIAL FOR LIVING

A Summary of the Learner’s Assessments and Subsequent Progress
on Specific Performance Levels of The Essential Eight Skills (SAP)
Must-have Indications of Interest, Requests, and Related Listener Responses.... Part of Domain 1 (R)
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 1 2 5 10 R7 1 -SA-DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI 2
3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10
R8 1 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI 2 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M R9 1 1s 2s 5s 10s 20s 1m 2m 5m 10m 20 2
3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10
R10 1 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P >M 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 R11 1 2 5 10 R12 1 -SA-DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P >M
2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9
10 R13 1 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P >M 2 3
4 5 6 7
8 9 10 R14 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M
R15 1 -SA -DC 2S 2P >M 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 R16 1 -SA -DC 2S 2P >M 2 3 R17 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M
R18 1 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M 2 3 R19 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M
R20 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P <M NI R21 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P
Must-have Listener Responses: Following Directions Related to Health and Safety.... Part of Domain 2 (LR)
LR1 1s 2s 5s 10s 20s 1m 2m 5m 10 20 LR2 -SA-DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P LR3 LR4 1s 2s 5s 10s 20s 1m 2m 5m
LR5 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P LR6 LR7 10s 20s 1m 2m 5m LR8 20s 1m 2m 5m 10m 20m
LR9 -SA -DC -RP FP PP MP Ind 2S 2P LR10 LR11 20s 1m 2m 5m 10m 20m
Must-have Daily Living Skills Related to Health and Safety.... Part of Domain 4 (DLS)
DLS EDF1 -SA -DC-RP FP PP MP Ind PPA AP CO 2S 2P EDF2 1 -SA-DC -RP FP PP MP Ind PPA APD CO 2S 2P 2 -SA-DC-RP FP PP MP Ind PPAAPD CO 2S 2P
- 3 EDF3 1 2
3 EDF4 1 2
3 EDF5 1 2
3 EDF6 1 2
3 EDF7 1 2
3 EDF8 -SA -DC-RP FP PP MP Ind PPA APD CO 2S 2P EDF9
Slp1 -SA -DC-RP FP PP MP Ind PPA AP CO 2S 2P Slp2 MT1 1st 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind _m PPA APD CO 2S 2P
MT2 MT3 MT4
MT5 -SA -DC-RP FP PP MP Ind PPA AP CO 2S 2P AHS1 -SA-DC-RP FP PP MP Ind PPA APD CO 2S 2P AHS2
AHS3 AHS4 AHS5
AHS6 AHS7 AHS8
AHS9 AHS10 AHS11
AHS12 AHS13 AHS14
AHS15 HS1 1st 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind _m PPA APD CO 2S 2P HS2
HS3 HS4 -SA -DC-RP FP PP MP Ind PPA APD CO 2S 2P HS5
HS6 HS7 HS8 1st 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind _m PPA APD CO 2S 2P
Must-have Tolerating Skills Related to Health and Safety.... Part of Domain 6 (T)
T- BHI1 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind BHI2 BHI3 BHI4 BHI5
EDF1 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind EDF2 EDF3 EDF4 EDF5
EDF6 EDF7 EDF8 EDF9
EDF10 EDF11 DM1 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind DM2
DM3 DM4 DM5 DM6 DM7
DM8 DM9 Slp1 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind Slp2 Slp3
Slp4 Slp5 Toil1 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind Toil2 Toil3
Toil4 Toil5 PRM1 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind PRM2
PRM3 PRM4 PRM5 PRM6
PTA1 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind PTA2 PTA3 PTA4 PTA5
PTA6 PTA7 PTA8 PTA9
PTA10 PTA11 PEMR1 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind PEMR2 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind
PEMR3 PEMR4 PEMR5 PEMR6
PEMR7 PEMR8 PEMR9 PEMR10
BPH1 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind BPH2 BPH3 BPH4 BPH5
BPH6 BPH7 BPH8 DD1 Egg -Egg 10s 1m 1/4 1/2 3/4 Ind
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !25

Suggestions for Effective Implementation

Whether you are beginning to use Essential for Living with a single child or adult, or in a classroom, a group
home, a small agency, a school district, a special school, a hospital, or a large private agency, successful
implementation is often dependent on the following components:
Familiarity with Essential for Living and Functional, Life Skills
Strategic Planning and Sufficient Resources
Stakeholder Support of Goals and Proposed Outcomes
Competency-based Staff Training
Execution and Outcomes

Familiarity with Essential for Living and Functional, Life Skills

Review the first three chapters of the EFL practitioners handbook (the gray manual).
Contact Patrick McGreevy or Troy Fry to provide an in-person or online training… or…
complete the following activities…
Review ‘What to Expect and How to Get Started’ (across from page 1 of the handbook or
https://www.essentialforliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/EFL-WhatandHow-BEST.pdf).
Download the ‘EFL Intro and User Guide’ https://www.essentialforliving.com/wp-content/
uploads/2019/05/EFL-Intro-UserGuideNew.pdf and EFL Video III https://
essentialforliving.sharefile.com/share/view/s65c7ff5ee7d41d2a and conduct your first Quick
Assessment (also see the practitioner’s handbook, chapter 5).
As you have questions, attend one or more of the EFL Online Q and A Sessions (for which there
is no charge) http://www.essentialforliving.com/workshops-online-trainings/upcoming-online-
trainings-and-workshops/.
Prioritize goals by determining if this learner requires an alternative method of speaking, by
selecting the First Five (or more) Skills to teach, and by specifying problem behaviors to
manage (see the practitioner’s handbook, chapter 6); be reasonable with your initial goals,
focusing on those skills that will have the most impact on the learner, the family, the classroom,
and the community.
Read and become familiar with the content of domains 1-7 and the problem behavior
domain in the practitioner’s handbook.
Decide whether to complete your assessment by using recording procedures with which you
are familiar or using those suggested by EFL (see the ‘EFL Intro and User Guide’ https://
www.essentialforliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/EFL-Intro-UserGuideNew.pdf and
EFL Video III https://essentialforliving.sharefile.com/share/view/s65c7ff5ee7d41d2a).
If you decide on the recording procedures suggested by Essential for Living, use either of two
learner scoring manuals — the All Skills Learner Scoring Manual (the blue and white ARP
manual) or the Essential Eight Skills Learner Scoring Manual (the red and white EARP manual)
— or the EFL APP (elfapp.com); refer to pages 25-29 of the practitioner’s handbook, along
with the ‘EFL Intro and User Guide’ https://www.essentialforliving.com/wp-content/uploads/
2019/05/EFL-Intro-UserGuideNew.pdf and EFL Video III https://essentialforliving.sharefile.com/
share/view/s65c7ff5ee7d41d2a.
Begin using Essential for Living with other learners. As you have more questions, attend one or
more of the EFL Online Q and A Sessions http://www.essentialforliving.com/workshops-online-
trainings/upcoming-online-trainings-and-workshops/, an EFL APP training session (elfapp.com),
or schedule a follow-up session with Patrick McGreevy (patrick@essentialforliving.com) or Troy
Fry (troy@essentialforliving.com).
Strategic Planning and Sufficient Resources
Examine the goals of the services you provide and determine if Essential for Living necess-
itates a change in those goals in terms of learners served, staff trained, and outcomes
expected. We highly recommend that your staff participate in this examination.
! 26 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

Strategic Planning and Sufficient Resources (cont.)

Evaluate resources needed to effectively implement Essential for Living. This will include (1)
additional instructional materials, which will now be composed of items that are part of
activities of daily living, (2) changes to facilities in which instruction takes place, which should
approximate those in which activities of daily living take place, (3) any logistical changes that
functional skills might require, (4) additional staff, (5) staff training and supervision, and (6)
data collection on learner progress and system performance.
Develop a plan to ensure that these resources are in place.
Stakeholder Support of Goals and Proposed Outcomes
Meet with parents and professionals to secure support for the implementation of Essential for
Living — it will be critical that the stakeholders support the goals and outcomes of this
instrument, namely functional skills that enhance quality of life, by keeping individuals safe,
increasing opportunities for effective participation in community living, and provid-ing as
independent a life as possible. For some stakeholders, including many parents of children with
autism, this will mean a gradual withdrawal from instruments like the ABLLS and the VB-MAPP
and abandonment of previous goals of ‘catch-ing up to typically-developing peers’ and
‘formal, academic functioning’. For other stakeholders, it will mean abandonment of full
inclusion and accommodations relative to Alternate Assess-ment and the Common Core
State Standards. For all stakeholders, it will be a move to uncharted territory — functional, life
skills. Some stakeholders will view these changes as a ‘setback’ or ‘treatment failure’, and your
job will be to demonstrate for them, that these changes, after intensive intervention with
developmental skills resulted in limited progress, are simply more realistic expectations for the
future. Ultimately, you will be asking these stakeholders to ‘take your hand and share your
values’ for their learner — a safer, more participative, and more independent life… and future
decisions will be based on where the data (their learner’s performance) takes us…
You will find resources to guide these conversations in the Essential for Living practitioners
manual, the Companion Teaching Manual II https://www.essentialforliving.com/wp-content/
uploads/2019/03/EFL-CM2-DecidingWhatSkills.pdf and the Essential for Living Overview
document https://www.essentialforliving.com/an-overview-of-efl/.
Competency-based Staff Training
Define the competencies that your staff will require to include stimulus-stimulus pairing,
errorless prompting and rapid prompt-fading, differential reinforcement and extinction,
collecting probe data, teaching more than one skill at a time, and teaching more than one
learner at a time.
Estimate the type and amount of training that you and your staff will require.
Make certain that the training is ‘hands on’ and results in a high level of practitioner
competence and confidence.
Execution and Outcomes
Identify at least one or more persons who will supervise staff performance and the
implementation of Essential for Living.
Provide ongoing feedback on learner and overall agency progress; and, make adjustments
as needed
Make certain that outcomes include skills like…
she is beginning to tolerate soft foods, he can ask me for what he wants,
he lets me prompt him, I feel comfortable having a sitter,
he doesn’t pick up knives, she can wait in line or after making a request,
we can eat in a restaurant, I don’t have to watch him every minute,
she can use a public restroom, he accepts no without a tantrum,
he tolerates ventilation and suction, we don’t have to take his helmet to church,
he can go places without his iPad, she tolerates being re-positioned,
he takes his medications without a fight, he shares toys with his sister,
she contacts me effortlessly when she has something to say, and
he has bowel movements on the toilet and not behind the couch…
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !27

Conclusion
This concludes the Essential for Living Introduction and User Guide. Now, if you like, and you are currently
attending an Essential for Living workshop, you can go to the next page and begin using Essential for Living by
conducting Activity 1, a Quick Assessment, for a learner with whom you or an available colleague are quite
familiar. After completing the Quick Assessment, you can begin to select and prioritize skills for instruction.
Then, later, when you are with the learner, you can secure a copy of an All Skills Learner Scoring Manual (the
ARP) or an Essential Eight Skills Learner Scoring Manual (the EARP), or access to the EFL APP, and proceed to
page 15 of this guide. Then, you can complete an assessment of skill deficits by conducting Activity 4 with the
possible skill deficits suggested by Activity 1, the Quick Assessment, and selected for instruction.
Then, you can use this guide, along with EFL Video III, along with an, as you complete this and your first few
assessments with children and adults, and as you begin to teach functional skills, record learner progress, and
manage problem behavior.
Have fun teaching functional, life skills. Along the way, make some new speakers, and enjoy preparing children
and adults for the next chapters in their lives.
Recognize and reinforce your efforts, your outcomes, and those of your staff. You are doing meaningful work!

ESSENTIAL FOR LIVING: MY NOTES

(a place for more of my notes)
! 28 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

THE ESSENTIAL FOR LIVING QUICK ASSESSMENT (QA)

Learner:___________________________________________________ Date: _______________________

Spoken Words: the extent to which a learner exhibits spontaneous, understandable spoken words and the
conditions under which spoken-word repetitions occur
4 Exhibits many spontaneous, spoken-words, nearly typical spoken-word interactions, and spoken-word
repetitions when asked to do so, all of which are understandable 6. MS (Methods of Speaking)-
(Vocal) Profile 1
3 Exhibits a few spontaneous spoken words and spoken-word repetitions, both of which are
understandable 6. MS (Methods of Speaking)-(Vocal) Profiles 2/3
2 Exhibits occasional words or spoken-word repetitions, but neither are understandable
6. MS (Methods of Speaking)-(Vocal) Profiles 4/5
1 Exhibits only noises and a few sounds 6. MS (Methods of Speaking)-(Vocal) Profile 6
Alternative Method of Speaking: a method of speaking used by learners, who do not exhibit understandable
spoken words or spoken-word repetitions
4 Has been using an effective, alternative method of speaking for more than 6 months
3 Has been using an effective, alternative method of speaking for 1-6 months
2 A new alternative method of speaking is being tested 6. MS (Methods of Speaking)-Tables 15,16
1 Has no formal method of speaking or is using one or more ineffective methods 6. MS (Methods of
Speaking)-AMS (Alternative Methods of Speaking) 1-46
---------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE ESSENTIAL EIGHT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ----------
One. Making Requests – the tendency to make requests for highly preferred items and activities
4 Makes requests for 10 or more preferred items or activities without prompts using an effective method of
speaking 7a. Domain 1. R14, R17-21, R22-24, R27-28, R30-31
3 Makes requests for 1-3 preferred items or activities with or without prompts 7a. Domain 1. R7-8
2 Makes requests by leading others to items 7a. Domain 1. R1-5, R6, R7-8
1 Makes requests by exhibiting problem behavior 7a. Domain 1. R1-5, R6, R7-8
Two. Waiting -- the tendency to wait when access to items or activities is delayed after a request
4 Waits for 20 minutes without complaints
3 Waits for 5 minutes without complaints 7a. Domain 1. R9
2 Waits for 1 minute with complaints or other minor disruptions 7a. Domain 1. R9
1 Exhibits problem behavior when access is delayed for a few seconds 7a. Domain 1. R9
Three. Accepting Removals, Making Transitions, Sharing, and Taking Turns -- the tendency to accept the
removal of preferred items and activities by persons in authority or peers, to make transitions from
preferred activities to non-preferred ones, and to share and take turns with preferred ones
4 Accepts the removal of items and activities, transitions, shares, and takes turns without complaints
3 Complains when preferred items or activities are removed, during transitions, or when required to share or
take turns, but only when motivating events are strong 7a. Domain 1. R10, R12-13
2 Makes complaints when preferred items or activities are removed, during transitions, or during required
sharing or taking turns 7a. Domain 1. R10, R12-13
1 Exhibits problem behavior when preferred items or activities are removed, during transitions, or during
required sharing or taking turns 7a. Domain 1. R10, R12-13
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !29

Four. Completing 10 Consecutive, Brief, Previously Acquired Tasks – the tendency to complete previously
acquired tasks when directed to do so between opportunities to make requests
4 Completes 10 or more consecutive, brief, previously acquired tasks of varying durations and requiring
varying degrees of effort without complaints
3 Completes 4-6 consecutive, brief, previously acquired tasks without complaints 7a. Domain 1. R11
2 Completes 1-3 consecutive, brief, previously acquired tasks without disruptive behavior 7a. Domain 1. R11
1 Exhibits problem behavior when directed to complete a brief, previously acquired task 7a. Domain 1. R11
Five. Accepting ‘No’ - the tendency to accept ‘no’ when access to items or activities is denied following
requests that were taught and requests for dangerous items and activities that were not taught
4 Readily accepts “no” by continuing with ongoing activities
3 Complains when motivating events are strong 7a. Domain 1. R15-16
2 Complains when told “no” 7a. Domain 1. R15-16
1 Exhibits problem behavior when told no 7a. Domain 1. R15-16
Six. Following Directions Related to Health and Safety – the tendency to follow directions from others that
insure safety and that permit safe movement throughout the community
4 Follows all directions that involve matters of health and safety and can be taken anywhere with minimal
supervision
3 Follows many directions related to safety and can be taken most places in a group of three with one
supervisor 7b. Domain 2. LR1-11
2 Follows only a few directions and requires “hands on” supervision at all times 7b. Domain 2. LR1-11
1 Does not follow any directions that involve matters of safety and cannot be taken most places within the
community without problem behavior or risking safety 7b. Domain 2. LR1-11
Seven. Completing Daily Living Skills Related to Health and Safety – the tendency to perform daily living skills
which have an immediate impact on the health and safety of the learner
4 Completes most daily living skills related to health and safety
3 Completes 4-6 daily living skills related to health and safety 8a. Domain 4. DLS-EDF1-9, Slp1-2, MT1-5,
AHS1-15, HS1-8
2 Completes 1-3 daily living skills related to health and safety with complaints, some resistance to prompts,
or some problem behavior 8a. Domain 4. DLS-EDF1-9, Slp1-2, MT1-5, AHS1-15, HS1-8
1 Does not complete any daily living skills related to health and safety without prompts, resistance to
prompts, or problem behavior 8a. Domain 4. DLS-EDF1-9, Slp1-2, MT1-5, AHS1-15, HS1-8
Eight. Tolerating Situations Related to Health and Safety – the tendency to tolerate unpleasant situations which
have an immediate impact on the health and safety of the learner
4 Tolerates most routine activities related to health and safety without problem behavior
3 Tolerates 4-6 routine activities related to health and safety 9. Domain 6. T-BHI1-5, T-EDF1-11,
T-DM1-9, T-Slp1-5, T-Toil1-5, T-PRM1-6, T-PTA1-11, T-PEMR1-10, T-BPH1-8, T-DD1
2 Tolerates 1-3 routine activities related to health and safety with some complaints or problem behavior
9. Domain 6. T-BHI1-5, T-EDF1-11, T-DM1-9, T-Slp1-5, T-Toil1-5, T-PRM1-6, T-PTA1-11,
T-PEMR1-10, T-BPH1-8, T-DD1
1 Because of intense episodes of problem behavior, instructors and care providers occasionally avoid
routine activities related to health and safety 9. Domain 6. T-BHI1-5, T-EDF1-11, T-DM1-9,
T-Slp1-5, T-Toil1-5, T-PRM1-6, T-PTA1-11, T-PEMR1-10, T-BPH1-8, T-DD1
------------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ----------
Matching: the tendency to match items-to-items, photographs-to-items, and text-to-items
4 Matches photographs or miniature items, but not text, with items or activities and vice versa
11. Domain 7. M12-13
3 Matches a few photographs or miniature items with items or activities and vice versa 11. Domain 7.
M6-11
2 Matches only identical items 11. Domain 7. M2-11
1 Does not match identical items 11. Domain 7. M1
Imitation: the tendency to imitate motor movements made by others
4 Imitates finger, hand, and arm movements and motor movements with items, but does not copy words
that have been written, typed, or Braille-written 11. Domain 7. Im3
3 Imitates many finger, hand, arm movements and a few motor movements with items 11. Domain 7. Im2
2 Imitates some finger, hand, arm movements, but not motor movements with items 11. Domain 7. Im1-2
1 Does not imitate any movements 11. Domain 7. Im1
! 30 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

Other Daily Living Skills: the tendency to perform daily living skills that do not have an immediate impact on
the health and safety of the learner
4 Completes most daily living skills not related to health and safety
3 Completes 4-6 daily living skills not related to health and safety 8a. Domain 4. DLS-___
2 Completes 1-3 daily living skills not related to health and safety with complaints, some resistance to
prompts, or some problem behavior 8a. Domain 4. DLS-___
1 Does not complete any daily living skills not related to health and safety without prompts, resistance to
prompts, or problem behavior 8a. Domain 4. DLS-___
Tolerating Other Situations: the tendency to tolerate unpleasant situations which do not have an immediate
impact on the health and safety of the learner
4 Tolerates most routine activities not related to health and safety without problem behavior
3 Tolerates 4-6 routine activities not related to health and safety 9. Domain 6. T-___
2 Tolerates 1-3 routine activities not related to health and safety with some complaints
or problem behavior 9. Domain 6. T-___
1 Because of intense episodes of problem behavior, instructors and care providers occasionally avoid
routine activities not related to health and safety 9. Domain 6. T-___
Naming and Describing: the tendency to name and describe items, activities, people, places, locations, and
items with features that are part of routine events
4 Names or describes many items, activities, familiar people, places, locations, and items with features that
are part of 7 or more routine events 7b. Domain 2. LRND11-13 or LRND14-15
3 Names many items, activities, familiar people, and places that are part of 4-6 routine events
7b. Domain 2. LRND7-13
2 Names some items and activities that are part of 1-3 routine events 7b. Domain 2. LRND1-3.1, 1-3.2, 1-3.3
1 Does not exhibit any names or descriptions 7b. Domain 2. LRND1-3.1, 1-3.2, 1-3.3
Following Directions, Recognizing, and Retrieving: the tendency to follow directions, to recognize items,
activities, people, places, locations, and items with features, and to retrieve items, people, and
items with features that are part of routine events
4 Recognizes and retrieves many items, activities, familiar people, places, locations, and items with
features that are part of 7 or more routine events 7b. Domain 2. LRND11-13 or LRND14-15
3 Recognizes and retrieves many items, activities, familiar people, and places that are part of 4-6 routine
events 7b. Domain 2. LRND7-13
2 Follows directions to complete routine activities, and recognizes and retrieves some items that are part of
1-3 routine events 7b. Domain 2. LRND1-3.1, 1-3.2, 1-3.3
1 Does not follow directions to complete routine activities and does not recognize or retrieve any item that
is part of a routine activity 7b. Domain 2. LR1-11, LR12-17, LRND1-3.1, 1-3.2, 1-3.3
Answering Questions: the tendency to answer questions that occur before, during, or after routine events
4 Answers many questions like “What are you going to do after lunch?”, “Where did you put your blue
pants?”, and “Who is driving you to the movies?” that are a part of 7 or more routine events
7c. Domain 3. AQ11-13 or AQ14-15
3 Answers many questions like “Where are the napkins?”, “Who is that?”, “What are you going to do?”,
“What are you going to get at the mall?”, “Who is helping you?”, “Where are you going?”, and “When
do you want your cigar?” that are a part of 4-6 routine events 7c. Domain 3. AQ7-13
2 Answers some questions like “Do you want juice?”, “Can you help me?”, “What do you want?”, or
“Which one do you want?” that are part of 1- 3 routine events 7c. Domain 3. AQ1-3.1, 1-3.2, 1-3.3
1 Cannot answer any commonly occurring questions 7c. Domain 3. AQ1-3.1, 1-3.2, 1-3.3
Problem Behavior: the tendency to exhibit problem behavior
4 Does not exhibit problem behavior
3 Exhibits disruptive behavior or frequent complaining that presents a problem
10. Problem Behavior Domain
2 Exhibits infrequent and less intense self-injurious, aggressive, or destructive behavior
10. Problem Behavior Domain
1 Exhibits frequent and intense self-injurious, aggressive, or destructive behavior
10. Problem Behavior Domain
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !31

Possible Skills Deficits

[suggested by Activity 1, the Essential for Living Quick Assessment]

Learner:___________________________________________________ Date: _______________________

Skill Domain Possible Skill Deficits

Skills Selected for Instruction

[from Essential for Living]

Skill Number Skill Description

Problem Behaviors

Problem Behavior Missing Skill(s)

! 32 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide

ESSENTIAL FOR LIVING: MY NOTES

(a place for even more of my notes)
 Essential for Living: An Introduction and User Guide !33

The ELSSENTIAL
FOR
IVING
Speaker Initiative

There are many thousands of children and adults

with moderate-to-severe disabilities and
No Effective Method of Speaking
As a direct result, many of these individuals exhibit problem behavior,
which limits their participation in community activities
The goal of ‘The Essential for Living Speaker Initiative’ is to provide a method of speaking for
as many of these children and adults as possible and to expand their speaking repertoires
to include requests for a wide variety of preferred items and activities.
To accomplish this goal, we need to...
1- Identify these children and adults one at a time,
2- Select a method of speaking for each of them, and
3- Teach each one of them to make requests for their most preferred items and activities.
Essential for Living will help you accomplish these goals and become part of this initiative.
www.essentialforliving.com