Speech therapy goals explained for parents

Speech goals can be hard to read. They use words like "trials," "accuracy" and "phonological processes." This page explains them in plain words. You can hold it next to your child's IEP and go line by line.

The speech-language pathologist (SLP) is the school's speech therapist. They write most speech goals with the rest of the IEP team. You are part of that team too.^[1]

What a speech goal is

A goal is what the team expects your child to learn in about one year. Speech goals can cover many skills:

• Speech sounds: saying sounds like /r/ or /s/ clearly.
• Language: understanding directions, learning words, putting words into sentences.
• Social talk: taking turns, staying on topic, asking for help.
• Fluency: speaking smoothly, or feeling okay about stuttering.
• AAC: using a device, pictures or signs to talk.

The IEP must say how your child's progress will be measured and when you will get reports.^[2]

A goal with notes

Here is a made-up goal for a made-up second grader named Sam. Notes in plain words follow it.

Look for the starting point, too. It is usually in the "present levels" part of the IEP. For Sam, it might say "Sam says /r/ correctly in 2 out of 10 words in sentences." Now you know where he started and where he is going.

What a good goal looks like

A good speech goal lets you picture your child doing the skill. Compare these two:

• Hard to measure: "Sam will improve his speech."
• Easy to measure: The goal in the box above.

The first one does not say what will change or by how much. The second tells you the sound, the task, the number and the timeline. If your child's goal reads like the first one, it is fair to ask the team to make it clearer. The understanding IEP goals page has more examples.

How the SLP measures progress

Most SLPs count tries. In a session, your child might say 20 words with the target sound. The SLP marks each one right or wrong. Then they turn the marks into a number, like 14 out of 20.

The school may use a sheet like this opportunity trial data sheet. You can ask to see your child's data. It is part of your child's school record.

Progress reports should show the number now and how it compares to the start. The how to read a progress report page walks through one.

Questions to ask the team

You can say these exactly as written.

1. "Can you tell me in plain words what this goal means?"
2. "Where was my child at the start, and where are they now?"
3. "What will my child be doing when they meet this goal?"
4. "Is this goal checked only in speech, or in class too?"
5. "How many minutes of speech will my child get each week? Is it one-on-one or in a group?"
6. "Can I see a graph or the data sheet?"
7. "What can I do at home for 5 minutes a day?"
8. "What happens if my child is not making progress?"
9. "How will you tell me if sessions are missed?"

Write the answers down. You can also bring the questions to ask at the IEP meeting list.

Helping at home

Ask the SLP for one small thing to do at home. Keep it short and fun. Some ideas:

• Practice 5 target words at dinner. Praise the try, not just the right answer.
• Read a picture book. Pause and let your child fill in a word.
• Give your child a choice ("milk or juice?") and wait for them to answer.
• If your child uses a device, use it yourself while you talk. Touch the words as you say them.

Do not correct every mistake all day. That can make talking feel like a test. One short practice time is enough.

What to do next

• Read your child's speech goals with this page beside you. Mark any word you don't know.
• Email the SLP with your questions before the meeting. Ask for a short call if that is easier.
• Ask for a copy of the progress report each time it is due.
• If you still have questions, contact your state's Parent Training and Information Center. Every state has at least one, and the help is free. The Center for Parent Information and Resources lists them all.^[3]

If you are a teacher or SLP, see presenting speech data at the IEP meeting for the school side of this talk. Goal examples by area are on the speech therapy IEP goals page and in the speech language IEP goals library.

Frequently asked questions

Use it in IEP Atlas

• Speech language IEP goals
• Opportunity trial data sheet
• Goals for the SLP role
• Speech-language therapy in the IEP glossary

Related guides

• Speech therapy IEP goals: examples by area
• Presenting speech data at the IEP meeting
• Speech therapy goals for autism
• IEP progress report comments for speech therapy
• Language goals examples for speech therapy
• Vocabulary goals for speech therapy

Sources

1. 34 CFR §300.322: Parent participation, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
2. 34 CFR §300.320: Definition of individualized education program, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
3. Center for Parent Information and Resources, CPIR
4. 34 CFR §300.503: Prior notice by the public agency; content of notice, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)

Written and checked by the IEP Atlas editorial team under our editorial policy. This guide describes general practice and federal rules. It is not legal advice; your state may add requirements, and the IEP team makes the decisions for each student.