Performance Skills: Motor, Process, and Social Interaction Skills

Stabilizes (Motor Skill - Positioning the Body)

Moves through task environment and interacts with task objects without momentary propping or loss of balance

Aligns (Motor Skill - Positioning the Body)

Interacts with task objects without evidence of persistent propping or leaning

Positions (Motor Skill - Positioning the Body)

Positions self an effective distance from task objects and without evidence of awkward arm or body positions

Reaches (Motor Skill - Obtaining and Holding Objects)

Effectively extends arm and when appropriate, bends trunk to effectively grasp or place task objects that are out of reach

Bends (Motor Skill - Obtaining and Holding Objects)

Flexes or rotates trunk as appropriate when sitting down or when bending to grasp or place task objects that are out of reach

Grips (Motor Skill - Obtaining and Holding Objects)

Effectively pinches or grasps task objects such that the objects do not slip

Manipulates (Motor Skill - Obtaining and Holding Objects)

Uses dexterous finger movements, without evidence of fumbling, when manipulating task objects

Flows (Motor Skill)

Uses smooth and fluid arm and wrist movements when interacting with task objects

Coordinates (Motor Skill - Moving Self and Objects)

Uses two or more body parts together to manipulate and hold task objects without evidence of fumbling or task objects slipping from the grasp

Moves (Motor Skill - Moving Self and Objects)

Effectively pushes or pulls task objects along a supporting surface, pulls to open or pushes to close doors and drawers, or pushes on wheels to propel a wheelchair

Lifts (Motor Skill - Moving Self and Objects)

Effectively raises or lifts task objects without evidence of excessive physical effort

Walks (Motor Skill - Moving Self and Objects)

During task performance, ambulates on level surface without shuffling feet, becoming unstable, propping, or using assistive devices

Transports (Motor Skill - Moving Self and Objects)

Carries task objects from one place to another while walking or moving in a wheelchair

Calibrates (Motor Skill - Moving Self and Objects)

Uses movements of appropriate force, speed, or extent when interacting with task objects (e.g., does not crush task objects, pushes a door with enough force to close it without a bang)

Endures (Motor Skill - Sustaining Performance)

Persists and completes the task without demonstrating physical fatigue, pausing to rest, or stopping to catch breath

Paces (Motor Skill - Sustaining Performance)

Maintains a consistent and effective rate or tempo of performance throughout the entire task performance

Attends (Process Skill - Sustaining Performance)

Does not look away from task performance, maintaining the ongoing task progression

Heeds (Process Skill - Sustaining Performance)

Carries out and completes the task originally agreed on or specified by another person

Chooses (Process Skill - Applying Knowledge)

Selects necessary and appropriate type and number of objects for the task, including the task objects that one chooses or is directed to use (e.g., by a teacher)

Uses (Process Skill - Applying Knowledge)

Applies task objects as they are intended (e.g., using a pencil sharpener to sharpen a pencil but not a crayon) and in a hygienic fashion

Handles (Process Skill - Applying Knowledge)

Supports or stabilizes task objects appropriately, protecting them from being damaged, slipping, moving, or falling

Inquires (Process Skill - Applying Knowledge)

1) Seeks needed verbal or written information by asking questions or reading directions or labels and (2) does not ask for information when fully oriented to the task and environment and recently aware of the answer

Initiates (Process Skill - Organizing Time)

Starts or begins the next task action or task step without any hesitation

Continues (Process Skill - Organizing Time)

Performs single actions or steps without any interruptions so that once an action or task step is initiated, performance continues without pauses or delays until the action or step is completed

Sequences (Process Skill - Organizing Time)

Performs steps in an effective or logical order and with an absence of randomness in the ordering or inappropriate repetition of steps

Terminates (Process Skill - Organizing Time)

Brings to completion single actions or single steps without inappropriate persistence or premature cessation

Searches/Locates (Process Skill - Organizing Space and Objects)

Looks for and locates task objects in a logical manner

Gathers (Process Skill - Organizing Space and Objects)

Collects related task objects into the same work space and regathers task objects that have spilled, fallen, or been misplaced

Organizes (Process Skill - Organizing Space and Objects)

Logically positions or spatially arranges task objects in an orderly fashion within a single work space or between multiple appropriate work spaces such that the work space is not too spread out or too crowded

Restores (Process Skill - Organizing Space and Objects)

Puts away task objects in appropriate places and ensures that the immediate work space is restored to its original condition

Navigates (Process Skill - Organizing Space and Objects)

Moves body or wheelchair without bumping into obstacles when moving through the task environment or interacting with task objects

Notices/Responds (Process Skill - Adapting Performance)

Responds appropriately to (1) nonverbal task-related cues (e.g., heat, movement), (2) the spatial arrangement and alignment of task objects to one another, and (3) cup-board doors or drawers that have been left open during task performance

Adjusts (Process Skill - Adapting Performance)

Overcomes problems with ongoing task performance effectively by (1) going to a new workspace; (2) moving task objects out of the current workspace; or (3) adjusting knobs, dials, switches, or water taps

Accommodates (Process Skill - Adapting Performance)

Prevents ineffective performance of all other motor and process skills and asks for assistance only when appropriate or needed

Benefits (Process Skill - Adapting Performance)

Prevents ineffective performance of all other motor and process skills from recurring or persisting

Approaches/Starts (Social Interaction Skill - Initiating and Terminating)

Approaches or initiates interaction with the social partner in a manner that is socially appropriate

Concludes/Disengages (Social Interaction Skill - Initiating and Terminating)

Effectively terminates the conversation or social interaction, brings to closure the topic under discussion, and disengages or says goodbye

Produces Speech (Social Interaction Skill - Producing Social Interaction)

Produces spoken, signed, or augmentative (i.e., computer-generated) messages that are audible and clearly articulated

Gesticulates (Social Interaction Skill - Producing Social Interaction)

Uses socially appropriate gestures to communicate or support a message

Speaks Fluently (Social Interaction Skill - Producing Social Interaction)

Speaks in a fluent and continuous manner, with an even pace (not too fast, not too slow) and without pauses or delays, while sending a message

Turns Toward (Social Interaction Skill - Physically Supporting)

Actively positions or turns body and face toward the social partner or the person who is speaking

Looks (Social Interaction Skill - Physically Supporting)

Makes eye contact with the social partner

Places Self (Social Interaction Skill - Physically Supporting)

Positions self at an appropriate distance from the social partner

Touches (Social Interaction Skill - Physically Supporting)

Responds to and uses touch or bodily contact with the social partner in a socially appropriate manner

Regulates (Social Interaction Skill - Physically Supporting)

Does not demonstrate irrelevant, repetitive, or impulsive behaviors during social interaction

Questions (Social Interaction Skill - Shaping Content)

Requests relevant facts and information and asks questions that support the intended purpose of the social interaction

Replies (Social Interaction Skill - Shaping Content)

Keeps conversation going by replying appropriately to suggestions, opinions, questions, and comments

Discloses (Social Interaction Skill - Shaping Content)

Reveals opinions, feelings, and private information about self or others in a socially appropriate manner

Expresses Emotions (Social Interaction Skill - Shaping Content)

Displays affect and emotions in a socially appropriate manner

Disagrees (Social Interaction Skill - Shaping Content)

Expresses differences of opinion in a socially appropriate manner

Thanks (Social Interaction Skill - Shaping Content)

Uses appropriate words and gestures to acknowledge receipt of services, gifts, or compliments

Transitions (Social Interaction Skill - Producing Social Interaction)

Handles transitions in the conversation or changes the topic without disrupting the ongoing conversation

Times Response (Social Interaction Skill - Producing Social Interaction)

Replies to social messages without delay or hesitation and without interrupting the social partner

Times Duration (Social Interaction Skill - Producing Social Interaction)

Speaks for a reasonable length of time given the complexity of the message

Takes Turns (Social Interaction Skill - Producing Social Interaction)

Speaks in turn and gives the social partner the freedom to take their turn

Matches Language (Social Interaction Skill - Verbally Supporting)

Uses a tone of voice, dialect, and level of language that are socially appropriate and matched to the social partner’s abilities and level of understanding

Clarifies (Social Interaction Skill - Verbally Supporting)

Responds to gestures or verbal messages from the social partner signaling that the social partner does not comprehend or understand a message and ensures that the social partner is following the conversation

Acknowledges and Encourages (Social Interaction Skill - Verbally Supporting)

Acknowledges receipt of messages, encourages the social partner to continue the social interaction, and encourages all social partners to participate in the interaction

Empathizes (Social Interaction Skill - Verbally Supporting)

Expresses a supportive attitude toward the social partner by agreeing with, empathizing with, or expressing understanding of the social partner’s feelings and experiences

Heeds (Social Interaction Skill - Adapting)

Uses goal-directed social interactions focused on carrying out and completing the intended purpose of the social interaction

Accommodates (Social Interaction Skill - Adapting)

Prevents ineffective or Socially inappropriate social interaction

Benefits (Social Interaction Skill - Adapting)

Prevents problems with ineffective or socially inappropriate social interaction from recurring or persisting