Place /t/, /d/, and /n/ behind the teeth
When to use this goal
For students who make /t/, /d/, and /n/ with the tongue tip against or between the front teeth, so the sounds are noticeably distorted and often go with a frontal lisp. Base the choice on the SLP's assessment. Many speakers produce these sounds slightly forward without any listener noticing; this goal is only for distortions that affect how speech sounds.
- Baseline
- Watch and listen for forward placement on /t/, /d/, /n/, and /l/, and check /s/ and /z/ at the same time. Record whether the distortion is audible or only visible; only audible distortions usually justify a goal.
- Tips
- Score correct when the SLP hears an undistorted sound; visible tongue tip alone is noted but not scored as an error if the sound is clear. Correcting /t/, /d/, and /n/ placement often helps /s/ work, which is why the third condition combines them.
- Limits
- Rarely a priority on its own. If the forward tongue position is part of a broader pattern at rest and in swallowing, talk with the family about whether other professionals should be involved; this template measures speech sounds only.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-art-064.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given 20 words with /t/, /d/, or /n/ in different positions, the student will produce /t/, /d/, and /n/ with the tongue tip on the ridge behind the top teeth in each word independently with at least 80% accuracy on /t/, /d/, and /n/ productions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
Baseline: 35% accuracy.
- Condition
- Observable behavior
- Criterion
- Measurement method
Measurability check11 of 11 met
Met: Observable behavior. Stated as an action.
Met: Condition. Stated.
Met: Unit fits the behavior. Percent accuracy fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Opportunity (trial) recording gives percent accuracy data.
Met: Review timeframe. Stated.
Met: Baseline and target compatible. Same unit, change in the right direction.
Met: Aligned with area of need. Still about Articulation.
Met: Level of support. Defined.
Met: Blanks filled in. Nothing left to fill in.
Checks structure and wording only. Whether the goal fits the student is the team's call.
Short-term objectives (optional)
When are objectives required?Required for students on alternate assessments (34 CFR §300.320(a)(2)(ii)); some states require them for everyone.
Paste into your IEP system
Most district systems have a separate box for each part of a goal. Copy them one at a time, or all at once as labeled text.
- Area of need
- Speech & Language - Articulation
- Baseline
- 35% accuracy.
- Annual goal401 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given 20 words with /t/, /d/, or /n/ in different positions, the student will produce /t/, /d/, and /n/ with the tongue tip on the ridge behind the top teeth in each word independently with at least 80% accuracy on /t/, /d/, and /n/ productions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given 20 words with /t/, /d/, or /n/ in different positions
- Behavior
- The student will produce /t/, /d/, and /n/ with the tongue tip on the ridge behind the top teeth in each word independently
- Criteria
- With at least 80% accuracy on /t/, /d/, and /n/ productions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- During each therapy session
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Accuracy tracker. Records number correct and number attempted.
Accuracy tracker
Percent accuracy- Student label:
- Target:
- with at least 80% accuracy on /t/, /d/, and /n/ productions
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive therapy sessions
- Collection schedule:
- during each therapy session
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given 20 words with /t/, /d/, or /n/ in different positions, the student will produce /t/, /d/, and /n/ with the tongue tip on the ridge behind the top teeth in each word independently with at least 80% accuracy on /t/, /d/, and /n/ productions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
| Date | Task / materials | # correct | # attempted | % accuracycorrect ÷ attempted × 100 | Support levele.g., independent, 1 verbal prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score only items the student attempted unless the goal defines a fixed set of items. Use the same denominator every session.
- Percent = numerator ÷ denominator × 100. Round to one decimal place.
- Record the support actually provided, even if the goal is independent performance.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.