Intervention Planning
What to know
Intervention planning translates assessment findings into an individualized, measurable plan. Candidates should know how to write goals and objectives, select evidence-informed interventions, sequence services, involve the client and interdisciplinary team, and plan for safety, resources, and discharge. Goals describe broad intended change; objectives are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Each objective should identify the target behavior or skill, the conditions, the criterion for success, and the timeframe. Plans must reflect client preferences, cultural context, least restrictive options, and realistic resources. Review and revision are expected when data show lack of progress or changing needs.
Traps
A frequent trap is writing an activity as the goal-“client will attend bingo”-rather than a functional outcome such as increased social interaction. Another is using vague verbs like “understand” or “improve” without observable criteria. Watch for plans that ignore assessment data, client choice, medical precautions, or team input. Questions may ask what to do when a chosen intervention is not working; the best answer is usually to review data, consult the team, and modify the plan rather than blame the client or continue unchanged.
Worked rule
Use a behavior-condition-criterion-timeframe check. For example: “During a 30-minute small-group session, the client will initiate one conversation with a peer on 3 of 4 opportunities within two weeks.” This is observable, measurable, and linked to a functional goal. If an objective cannot be observed or counted, revise it before implementation.