Explore the Meaningful Outcomes Treatment & Assessment Scale (MOTAS)
- Ashleigh
- 14 minutes ago
- 4 min read
In ABA, selecting appropriate goals and interventions is a critical, albeit sometimes challenging, task for BCBAs and other clinicians. Too often, goals are chosen based on convenience, neurotypical standards, or external requirements rather than focusing on those that would bring individualized, meaningful progress for the learner. That’s why the recent release of the Meaningful Outcomes Treatment & Assessment Scale (MOTAS) is creating such a buzz.
Developed by two seasoned BCBAs—Anika Hoybjerg, PhD, EdS, BCBA-D, LBA and Casey Barron, MA, BCBA, LBA—the MOTAS was designed to close long-standing gaps in assessment and programming decisions. This criterion-referenced tool promotes truly meaningful progress for learners by guiding clinicians toward more thoughtful, comprehensive programming.
As the second article in our ABA Assessments Series, we'll explore this tool in greater depth—what it is, how it works, and why it represents a much-needed shift in how we approach assessment and goal development in ABA.
A Focus on Promoting Meaningful Outcomes
The primary focus of the MOTAS is to promote meaningful outcomes for learners with diverse needs. ABA therapy should be individualized with interventions adapted to each individual's strengths, areas of need, interests, preferences, and priorities. The MOTAS guides clinicians in making that happen.
The Kindness Method
One unique component of the MOTAS is the integration of the Kindness Method. The purpose of this is to ensure therapy providers are implementing kindness in every client interaction—not only when the client is doing what's expected of them. Extending kindness can lead to reduced challenging behaviors and increased social validity (Hoybjerg, 2023).
The Kindness Method section of the MOTAS includes:
An initial questionnaire
Provider goals
Scoring grid
Goal development table
Follow-up questionnaire
Research on the benefits of showing kindness
What makes this section so unique is that it focuses not on the learner but on the behavior of the ABA provider. As clinicians, we often focus so much on shaping client behavior that we overlook the importance of shaping our own. This section invites BCBAs, therapists, and trainees to self-assess and set personalized goals to develop more compassionate, mindful interactions with clients, caregivers, and stakeholders.
The Levels of Optimum Performance (LOOP)
The first part of the MOTAS is the Levels of Optimum Performance (LOOP). This book contains structured interviews and other materials for clinicians to complete with clients, caregivers, parents, and other professionals. Behavior analysts can use the results of these interviews to guide them in the next steps of the assessment process. Each LOOP interview encompasses 20 sections that directly align with the 20 domains within the MOTAS. For example, section 1 of the interview guide outlines questions related to communication, which is also the 1st domain of the MOTAS.
One of the key components of the LOOP interviews is a question regarding the importance of targeting each domain within therapy for that learner. This is critical for identifying goals that are truly socially significant. While an individual may have skill deficits in a certain domain, if it ranks low on the client's and/or family's priorities, the clinician can focus subsequent assessment and interventions on domains that are of higher importance to the client and stakeholders.
Note: The LOOP-C was designed with input from autistic individuals, ensuring that the language, content, and structure reflect a neurodiversity-affirming approach. This inclusive perspective helps make the tool more collaborative, respectful, and responsive to the lived experiences of those receiving services.
MOTAS Skill Domains
Clinicians can use the MOTAS to evaluate almost 1,200 skills across 20 domains.
The skill domains include:
Communication
Self-awareness
Social Behaviors
Transitions
Toileting
Hygiene and Personal Care
Dressing
Eating & Food Preparation
Sleep
Leisure Skills
Chores
General Safety
Academic Readiness/Preparedness
Relationships
Perspective Taking & Cognitive Flexibility
Transportation
Advanced Skills
Shopping
Time Management
Employment
Finances
Use the results of the LOOP, LOOP-C, and LOOP-P interviews to determine which skill domains to focus on assessing.
How to Score the MOTAS
The MOTAS offers a scoring scale that is different from other ABA assessments. Instead of evaluating whether or not they have demonstrated the skill, the clinician also evaluates whether the skill has been generalized and maintained.
For each skill you assess, you'll score the learner using the following scale:
0= Not applicable
1= Pre-skill: The learner hasn't yet demonstrated the skill
2=Prompted: The learner can complete the skill with prompts
3=Independent=The learner can demonstrate the skill without prompts
4=Generalized: The learner can demonstrate the skill with multiple people and in multiple environments
5=Maintained: The learner has maintained the skill across time without additional teaching and instruction
The MOTAS Scoring Booklet has additional directions for how to score each skill. It also has scoring grids with space for four assessments, allowing you to track progression across time.
What Ages Can You Use the MOTAS With?
You can use the MOTAS to evaluate learners from age 5 through adulthood, making it a comprehensive tool for supporting individuals across a wide range of developmental stages and life transitions.
Can You Use the MOTAS with Insurance-Funded Clients?
It's best to check with each payor to verify whether they accept the MOTAS in authorization requests. However, each domain and subdomain includes a meaningful outcome statement. These can be used to create goal rationales to justify medical necessity.
Supplemental Materials
This assessment includes a few supplemental materials, including:
Autism Spectrum Disorder DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria
MONROE Phonetic Sound Inventory
Motor Skills Checklist
Sensory Systems & Activities
MOTAS Formats
This assessment is available in a physical book, ebook format, and an online platform. The online platform offers increased convenience. Clinicians can invite parents and caregivers to complete LOOP questionnaires directly. It also automatically scores domains and subdomains, freeing up time.
Overall Review of the MOTAS
The MOTAS offers a much-needed resource in the ABA field. This assessment supports deeply individualized, values-driven treatment rather than rigidly teaching skills just to check a box. This tool encourages clinicians to develop a more holistic view of their learners—from both their own viewpoint and the perspectives of the client and caregivers, allowing them to develop a therapy program focused on what truly matters for the individual. The MOTAS can support more compassionate, collaborative, and meaningful ABA therapy programming, promoting greater social validity, autonomy, and quality of life.
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