What would be an appropriate intermediate objective for a student with a moderate-to-severe intellectual disability aiming for community employment?

• A. Learning to give verbal prompts
• B. Mastering reading and math at the fourth-grade level
• C. Sorting objects by shape and color
• D. Reading and interpreting written directions

Answer: (A)

The appropriate intermediate objective for a student with a moderate-to-severe intellectual disability aiming for community employment is related to practical skills that can be used in real-world situations. Learning to give verbal prompts is a significant skill in various community employment contexts, particularly in jobs that involve teamwork or customer interaction. This skill encourages communication, initiative, and can be crucial in supporting others in the workplace, making it highly relevant for future employment opportunities.

While other options may have merit, they may not align as closely with the immediate needs for community employment. Mastering reading and math at the fourth-grade level represents a more academic focus without direct application to job readiness. Sorting objects by shape and color is a useful skill but might not encompass the communicative and interactive aspects needed for many jobs. Reading and interpreting written directions is indeed valuable, but it assumes a higher level of literacy which may not be appropriate as an intermediate step for students with moderate-to-severe disabilities. Thus, learning to give verbal prompts stands out as a functional objective that directly supports community employment readiness.