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12 IEP Goals for Maintaining Safety During an Emergency | Fire Drills and Lockdown Downs Etc
Updated: Mar 11
What are some IEP goals that can be put in place to help maintain safety during an emergency? This is a question that many parents and educators are asking themselves in light of the recent events. In this blog post, we will discuss IEP goals for fire drills, earthquake drills, and lockdown drills. We will also discuss teaching evacuation procedures and how to help students who may be scared during an emergency.
The Importance of IEP Goals for Maintaining Safety During an Emergency
IEP Goals for Fire Drills
IEP Goals for Earthquake Drills
IEP Goals for Lockdown Drills
Teaching Evacuation Procedures
Helping Students Who Are Scared During an Emergency
The Importance of IEP Goals for Maintaining Safety During an Emergency
IEP goals are important for maintaining safety during an emergency because they help to ensure that all students are aware of the proper procedures and know what to do in case of an emergency. By having IEP goals in place, educators can be sure that all students, regardless of their individual needs, are prepared for an emergency situation.
IEP Goals for Emergency Drills
It's important for students to practice evacuating the buildings during fire emergencies. Students with autism and other disabilities may need additional skills taught and supported. They may need explicit coping skills taught for how to cope with loud sirens, blinking lights, and following directions as well as how to cope with the sensory overload that comes with an emergency situation. A few examples of explicit coping skills are:
identify a safe place to go during an emergency
understand what an emergency is and how to evacuate calmly and quickly
practice evacuating with staff so that it becomes familiar
using earplugs or headphones to block out noise
have a picture schedule or Social Story of what to expect during an evacuation
Explicit coping skills will need to be taught before, during, and after a fire alarm or fire drill so that students with autism feel safe, know what to expect, and can evacuate quickly and calmly in the event of an actual fire emergency.
One IEP goal that can be put in place for fire drills is to have the student(s) practice evacuating the building with a designated adult. This goal can be broken down into smaller goals, such as having the student(s) practice walking to the exit calmly and following the adult’s instructions. Another small goal could be to have the student(s) identify the sound of a fire alarm and what it means.
3 IEP Goals for Fire Drills
Proficient: IEP Goal Objective for Fire Drill Social Stories
By (date), when given a fire drill, the student will attend the fire drill, follow evacuation procedures and wait for all clear with only verbal prompting, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Emerging: IEP Goal Objective for Fire Drill Social Stories | Acting It Out and Peer Partners
By (date), when given a fire drill social story, the student will act out the story like a play including evacuation, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Practicing: IEP Goal Objective for Fire Drill Social Stories | Retelling
By (date), when given a fire drill social story, the student will relate the story to their classroom and retell the story, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Begining: IEP Goal Objective for Fire Drill Social Stories | Comprehension
By (date), when given a fire drill social story, the student will answer questions about the story (question: sound like, look like, etc), improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
3 IEP Goals for Earthquake Drills
Another IEP goal that can be put in place for earthquake drills is to have the student(s) practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On. This goal can be broken down into smaller goals, such as having the student(s) practice dropping to the ground, covering their head and neck with their hands, and holding on to a sturdy object. Another small goal could be to have the student(s) identify what an earthquake drill is and why it is important.
Proficient: IEP Goal Objective for Earthquake Drill | Drop, Cover, and Hold On
By (date), when given an earthquake drill, the student will drop to the ground, cover their head and neck with their hands, and hold on to a sturdy object, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Emerging: IEP Goal Objective for Earthquake Drill | Drop, Cover, and Hold On
By (date), when given an earthquake drill, the student will drop to the ground, cover their head with their hands, and hold on to a sturdy object, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Practicing: IEP Goal Objective for Earthquake Drill | Drop, Cover
By (date), when given an earthquake drill, the student will drop to the ground and cover their head with their hands, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Begining: IEP Goal Objective for Earthquake Drill | Drop
By (date), when given an earthquake drill, the student will drop to the ground, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
3 IEP Goals for Lockdown Drills
The last type of emergency drill that can be addressed in an IEP is a lockdown drill. A lockdown drill is when the school is in lockdown mode and everyone must stay put and be silent. This is usually in response to an intruder on campus or a dangerous situation nearby.
Another IEP goal that can be put in place for lockdown drills is to have the student(s) practice staying quiet and hiding in a designated area. This goal can be broken down into smaller goals, such as having the student(s) practice staying silent and not moving from their hiding spot. Another small goal could be to have the student(s) identify the sound of a lockdown drill and what it means.
Proficient: IEP Goal Objective for Lockdown Drill | Stay Quiet and Hide
By (date), when given a lockdown drill, the student will stay silent and not move from their hiding spot, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Emerging: IEP Goal Objective for Lockdown Drill | Stay Silent
By (date), when given a lockdown drill, the student will stay silent, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Practicing: IEP Goal Objective for Lockdown Drill | Hide
By (date), when given a lockdown drill, the student will not move from their hiding spot, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Begining: IEP Goal Objective for Lockdown Drill | Quiet
By (date), when given a lockdown drill, the student will be quiet, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Teaching Evacuation Procedures
In the event of an emergency, it is important for all students to know the proper evacuation procedures. These procedures should be practiced regularly so that everyone is familiar with them. Some things that should be included in the evacuation procedures are: where to go, who to follow, and what to do if you get separated from the group. It is also important to have a designated meeting spot where everyone will gather after evacuating the building.
3 IEP Goals for Evacuation Procedures
The last type of emergency that can be addressed in an IEP is an evacuation. An evacuation is when everyone must leave the building quickly and safely. This is usually in response to a fire or another dangerous situation inside the building.
One IEP goal that can be put in place for evacuation procedures is to have the student(s) practice evacuating the building quickly and safely. This goal can be broken down into smaller goals, such as having the student(s) practice evacuating the building quickly and following the evacuation route. Another small goal could be to have the student(s) identify the sound of an evacuation and what it means.
Proficient: IEP Goal Objective for Evacuation Procedure | Evacuate Quickly and Safely
By (date), when given an evacuation, the student will evacuate quickly and safely, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Emerging: IEP Goal Objective for Evacuation Procedure | Evacuate Quickly
By (date), when given an evacuation, the student will evacuate quickly, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Practicing: IEP Goal Objective for Evacuation Procedure | Evacuate Safely
By (date), when given an evacuation, the student will evacuate safely, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Begining: IEP Goal Objective for Evacuation Procedure | Leave Building
By (date), when given an evacuation, the student will leave the building, improving safety and emergency skills from 0/10 practice events to 8/10 practice events.
Helping Students Who Are Scared During an Emergency
For some students, an emergency situation can be very scary. It is important to provide these students with extra support and reassurance during these times. One way to do this is to create a social story that discusses what an emergency is and what the proper procedures are. This social story can be read with the student(s) before and after an emergency drill.
Another way to provide support is to make a video that shows what an emergency situation would look and sound like. This video can be used to help students understand what they may see and hear during an actual emergency. Finally, it is important to remind students that it is okay to be scared during an emergency but that they need to try their best to stay calm.
By having IEP goals in place for fire drills, earthquake drills, and lockdown drills, educators can help ensure that all students are prepared for an emergency situation. Additionally, it is important to review evacuation procedures with all students on a regular basis. For students who are scared during an emergency, it can be helpful to create a social story or video that shows what an emergency situation would look and sound like. Finally, it is important to remind students that it is okay to be scared but that they need to try their best to stay calm.
What are some of the IEP goals you have in place for your students? Do you think these goals are effective in helping them prepare for an emergency situation? Let us know in the comments below!
If you found this blog post helpful, be sure to check out our other blog post on IEP Goals for Maintaining Safety During an Emergency: Fire Drills, Earthquake Drills, and Lockdown Drills! Thanks for reading!"
What are some of the IEP goals you have in place for your students? Do you think these goals are effective in helping them prepare for an emergency situation? Let us know in the comments below!