Unlock measurable speech improvements in your clients with this comprehensive, customizable list of speech therapy goals. Designed for S10.ai’s therapy documentation workflows, listicle blends clinical best practices with ready-to-use templates—ensuring you spend less time writing and more time treating.
Setting well-defined, client-centered goals is the cornerstone of effective speech therapy. A structured template:
“Client will produce the /r/ sound in initial, medial, and final positions with 90% accuracy across three consecutive sessions.”
“Client will correctly articulate consonant blends /pl/, /tr/, and /sk/ in words at single-word level with 80% accuracy in structured drills.”
“Client will identify and segment syllables in multisyllabic words with 100% accuracy in 8 out of 10 trials.”
“Client will discriminate between minimal pairs (e.g., bat/pat, sip/ship) with 90% accuracy during auditory tasks.”
“Client will formulate 5-word sentences using correct subject–verb–object structure in 4 out of 5 opportunities during play.”
“Client will use appropriate past tense markers (-ed) in spontaneous narrative retell with 80% accuracy.”
“Client will follow 3-step verbal directions (e.g., ‘Pick up the red block, place it in the box, and push the box forward’) with 100% accuracy.”
“Client will answer WH-questions (who, what, where, when) about a short story with 90% accuracy in 4 consecutive sessions.”
“Client will reduce frequency of blocks and prolongations to less than 5% syllables stuttered during structured conversation tasks.”
“Client will apply easy onset and light articulatory contacts during 3-minute monologue with no more than 2 stutters.”
“Client will demonstrate consistent optimal pitch and loudness for age-appropriate contexts in 4 out of 5 observational opportunities.”
“Client will reduce vocal strain behaviors (e.g., throat clearing, effortful phonation) to zero instances in 5 consecutive sessions.”
“Client will initiate and sustain a topic of conversation for at least 4 exchanges with a peer in 3 out of 4 opportunities.”
“Client will use appropriate eye contact, turn-taking, and greeting routines in structured role-play with 90% accuracy.”
“Client will select and activate appropriate symbol for requesting ‘break’ from a communication device in 90% of opportunities.”
“Client will combine two symbols to form a two-word phrase on the AAC device in 8 out of 10 trials.”
“Client will demonstrate safe swallowing of puree consistency without signs of aspiration in 90% of trials across 3 sessions.”
“Client will follow a three-step feeding task (e.g., pick up spoon, scoop puree, bring to mouth) with 100% accuracy.”
“Client will produce intelligible alaryngeal speech (esophageal or electrolarynx) at 75 words per minute in conversation.”
“Client will demonstrate independence in changing electrolarynx batteries and positioning device in 3 consecutive sessions.”
Goal Category
Goal Statement
Baseline
Mastery Criteria
Progress Notes
Articulation
Client will produce /r/ sound in all word positions with 90% accuracy.
50% accuracy with cues
90% accuracy across 3 sessions
Session 1: 70%; Session 2: 80%; Session 3: 92%
Phonological Awareness
Client will segment syllables in 10 multisyllabic words with 100% accuracy.
60% accuracy
100% in 8/10 trials
Week 1: 65%; Week 2: 85%
Expressive Language
Client will form 5-word SVO sentences in play with 4/5 correct.
3/5 correct sentences
4/5 opportunities
Observed in 2 sessions
Receptive Language
Client will follow 3-step directions with 100% accuracy.
1-step directions only
100% in 3 consecutive sessions
Week 1: 2/3 steps; Week 2: 3/3 steps
Fluency
Client will reduce stuttering to <5% syllables in structured tasks.
15% syllables stuttered
<5% across 3 tasks
Session 1: 10%; Session 2: 6%
Social-Pragmatic
Client will sustain topic for 4 exchanges with peer in role-play with 90% success.
Topic maintained for 2 exchanges
90% in 3 of 4 role-plays
Role-play 1: 60%; Role-play 2: 85%
By leveraging these speech therapy goals examples and the sample template, therapists can provide targeted, measurable interventions. Implement this template today in S10.ai to enhance clinical efficiency, demonstrate value to stakeholders, and accelerate client progress.
How can I write measurable speech therapy goals for preschoolers that are also functional and easy to track?
Writing measurable speech therapy goals for preschoolers involves using a clear framework that specifies the skill, context, and criteria for success. A highly effective method is the "DO + CONDITION + CRITERION" formula. For example, instead of a vague goal like "improve expressive language," a measurable goal would be: "[Child's name] will (DO) use 3-4 word sentences to describe a picture (CONDITION) during structured play activities, with (CRITERION) 80% accuracy across three consecutive sessions." This structure ensures that progress is quantifiable and directly tied to a specific, functional activity. To streamline your goal-writing process, consider implementing a template that incorporates these elements, making it easier to create consistent and effective goals for your early intervention caseload.
What are some examples of functional communication goals for non-verbal AAC users that go beyond basic requesting?
For non-verbal AAC users, functional communication goals should empower them to participate more fully in their daily lives. Beyond basic requesting, consider goals that target a wider range of communicative functions, such as social interaction, expressing opinions, and sharing information. For instance, a functional goal could be: "The student will use their AAC device to initiate a conversation with a peer by making a comment or asking a question during morning circle time, independently in 4 out of 5 opportunities." Another example is: "The client will use their AAC device to reject an offered item and select a preferred alternative in 9 out of 10 trials." These goals are not only measurable but also promote autonomy and meaningful social engagement. Explore how a dedicated goal bank can provide more examples of functional AAC goals to enhance your therapy planning.
I'm looking for articulation therapy goal examples for specific phonemes, particularly for school-aged children. Can you provide a template?
Certainly. When writing articulation goals for specific phonemes, it's crucial to specify the sound, the context (e.g., word position, sentence level), and the accuracy level. A versatile template is: "By [date], the student will correctly produce the [phoneme] sound in the [word position] of words with [accuracy]% accuracy, given [level of cueing], during [activity]." For example, a goal for the /s/ sound could be: "By the end of the semester, the student will correctly produce the /s/ sound in the final position of words in sentences with 80% accuracy, given minimal verbal cues, during structured therapy activities." This format is easily adaptable for any phoneme and allows for clear progress monitoring. To further enhance your clinical efficiency, learn more about how AI-powered tools can help you generate and track these specific and individualized articulation goals.
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