Parent Motivation Inventory: Score Caregiver Buy-In

A parent motivation inventory is a simple rating tool. It asks caregivers how much they want each skill. Parents rate their interest on a scale, often one to five. The result is a clear number for every possible goal.

This matters because motivation drives follow-through. A goal the family cares about gets practiced at home. A goal they do not value often stalls. Measuring that interest early helps you pick goals that stick. This page explains how the tool works and how to build one.

What the inventory measures#

The tool uses a Likert scale. That is a rating scale with steps, like one to five. Each row lists a possible skill. The parent rates how much they want it.

Kelly Brzak built her own version for this reason. She wanted a clear number for each caregiver goal. A number is easier to compare than a vague sense.

Have you ever used a parent motivation inventory? From the talk. Kelly Brzak

The scores turn a fuzzy feeling into hard data. You can see which goals the family ranks highest. Then you plan around what they actually care about. The math is simple, but the insight is real.

For example, giving parents a Likert scale to find their level of motivation for their child to obtain various skills. From the talk. Kelly Brzak

Why caregiver motivation gets missed#

Most assessments focus on the child. They measure skills, deficits, and behavior. That work is important. But it leaves out one big factor.

Brzak argues that the caregiver's motivation is often ignored. Yet parents run most of the practice at home. Their buy-in shapes how much a skill gets rehearsed.

I think the part that's missing in our assessment process is considering the motivation of the caregivers, definitely. From the talk. Kelly Brzak

When you skip this step, you risk a mismatch. You may push a goal the family does not value. The child gets less practice, and progress slows. Then the plan looks like a failure when it was really a mismatch.

How the ratings guide treatment#

Once you have scores, use them to plan. Start with skills the family rates high. Those goals get the most support at home. That support is often what makes a program work.

Brzak suggests letting parent motivation shape the whole plan. It is not the only factor, but it is a strong one.

If you're not already using the parent's motivation to drive your treatment, I suggest that you use a Likert scale and find their level of motivation for specific skills. From the talk. Kelly Brzak

You can still add goals the family rates lower. Just pair them with education about why they matter. Buy-in often grows once parents see the value. The inventory gives you a place to start that talk.

A hidden benefit: honest prompting data#

The inventory does more than rank goals. It sparks useful talk about how skills really look at home. Parents often think a child is more independent than they are. That gap can hide real needs.

Asking for a number changes that. When you ask a parent to quantify help, the truth comes out.

Sometimes a parent will think that their child is really independent doing a skill. And if you ask them for a percent or to quantify with the number, they end up realizing that they're actually prompting the kid more than they thought they were. From the talk. Kelly Brzak

This gives you a clearer baseline. You learn where a child still needs help. And parents leave with a sharper view of their own routines. Both of you end up better informed.

It also opens an honest talk about progress. A parent who sees their own prompting can join the plan. They start to fade help on purpose at home. That shared effort speeds up real independence for the child.

When to use it#

The tool fits well at intake. It helps you set goals the family will support from day one. But it is not a one-time step. Motivation shifts as kids grow and needs change.

Revisit the inventory during reviews. A goal that felt low last year may matter now. New skills also become relevant with age. Regular check-ins keep your plan matched to the family. This flexible use is part of what makes the tool valuable.

How to build a simple version#

You do not need special software. A short list of target skills works well. Put each skill in a row and add a one-to-five scale. Keep the wording plain so any parent can use it.

Ask two questions per skill. How much do you want this goal? And how much does your child do it alone right now? The gap between those answers is your starting point.

Review the ratings with the family. Talk through the high scores and the surprising ones. Use that talk to set goals everyone believes in. Then write the plan around those shared priorities.

Brzak applies this same approach with older kids too. You can see it in action in Child Development for BCBAs- Age 9-11.

Building buy-in over time#

Motivation is not fixed. A parent may rate a goal low at first. That rating can change with the right support. Your job is to help them see the value.

Show quick wins on the goals they already want. Early success builds trust in the process. That trust makes parents more open to new goals. They start to follow your lead on tougher targets.

Keep the talk two-way. Ask why a goal matters to them. Listen for the daily struggles behind the ratings. When parents feel heard, they practice more at home. That practice is what moves the child forward.

FAQ#

Is a parent motivation inventory a formal, published test? No. It is a practical tool a clinician can build. It uses a simple rating scale, not a standardized score. The value comes from the conversation and the data it creates.

How is this different from a preference assessment? A preference assessment measures what the child likes. A parent motivation inventory measures what the caregiver wants to work on. Both matter, but they answer different questions.

What if parents rate an unsafe or low-value goal highest? Use it as a starting point for a talk, not a rule. Honor their interest where you can. Then teach why some goals, like safety skills, still deserve priority.