rhyming words speech therapy goal

How to Write Phonological Awareness Goals [with goal bank]

Phonological awareness skills are essential for learning how to read. Intervention may be warranted if a child does not meet age-appropriate standards for literacy-related skill areas. This article discusses how to use our formula to write phonological awareness goals (with goal bank)!

Our comprehensive goal banks for school-aged language, AAC, Early Intervention & preschool, and fluency are available on our site or Teachers Pay Teachers store !

Save time creating goals with over THOUSANDS of possible goal combinations. Select your own combination of DO + CONDITION + CRITERION (and consistency) statements to develop personalized and measurable goals for your caseload.

Phonological Awareness

Phonological awareness is the ability to detect and manipulate sounds and syllables in words. It is critical for the foundation of a child's literacy development (aka - learning how to read and write). It is one of the milestones required for emergent literacy skills, in addition to print concepts (e.g., understanding which way to hold a book or the correct direction to read text) , alphabet knowledge (i.e., understanding of letter names and their shapes) , and literate language (i.e., understanding how to compose language elements for adequate communication).

Basically, phonological awareness is the awareness that words can be broken down into smaller units, such as syllables , onset-rime units , and phonemes.

For more information about these units, check out our recent article, What is Phonological Awareness ?

Phonological Awareness Skills

There are various skills that can be targeted in speech and language therapy to improve phonological awareness. Speech-language pathologists help individuals develop skills within the five domains of language , including phonology. Phonological awareness is part of understanding and using phonemes correctly.  These skills are initially taught within the general education curriculum and increase in complexity with each subsequent grade level. It is important that a child achieves foundational phonological awareness skills so that they are on the trajectory to be literate and academically successful as they get older. Encouraging and providing exposure to these forms of phonological awareness skills (at school/home, in therapy, etc.) are important for increasing literacy development. Individuals may need targeted intervention to develop these skills if they do not master them when exposed to the general education curriculum. According to Roseberry-McKibbin & Hegde (2016), skills include:

Rhyming : identification of words that sound alike ( car - star )

Syllable awareness : knowledge of how many syllables are in a word

Phoneme isolation : identifying whether the sound is at the start, middle, or end of a word

Sound blending : blending two or more sounds together, temporarily separated by a few seconds (e.g., “ c - a - t --- what animal is that?”)

Writing Phonological Awareness Goals

If you haven’t already, check out our recent article that outlines How to Write Speech Therapy Goals . For the purpose of this article, we will focus specifically on writing goals for increasing phonological awareness skills during therapy.

As seen above, speech goals should be written with 3* components in mind: the DO statement , the CONDITION statement , and the CRITERION statement .

*Also commonly included is consistency (we incorporate this!). Aka: does the individual have to meet a specific criterion more than once? A common example of this may include across 3 consecutive sessions. This is usually something understood by the therapy organization/service provider and is sometimes/sometimes not included in the written goal itself. Including consistency statements ensure that the skill has been generalized and provides more reliable data that the skill has been properly mastered.

DO statement

What the client is actually going to DO and the specific skill they will be working towards.

Example: will identify each syllable within multi-syllabic words

CONDITION statement

The specific setting and/or context your client will work on this skill.

Example: during structured drill tasks

CRITERION statement

How the client’s performance will be measured.

Example: with 80% accuracy

DO + CONDITION + CRITERION

Example: [Client] will identify each syllable within multi-syllabic words, during structured drill tasks, with 80% accuracy

There you have it! An example using our Goal Writing Formula containing the DO + CONDITION + CRITERION (don’t forget to think about consistency!) for increasing phonological awareness skill areas.

Phonological Awareness Goal Bank

Example #1: [ Client] will circle the two words that rhyme, when presented in a field of 4-5 words, with 90% accuracy.

Example #2: [Client] will state a word that rhymes with a given word, during a structured reading exercise, in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Syllable Awareness

Example #1: [Client] will underline the first syllable within a given word, when presented in a worksheet format, with 80% accuracy.

Example #2: [Client] will tap out each syllable within words, during a structured activity, in 9 out of 10 trials.

Phoneme Isolation

Example #1: [Client] will produce each phoneme within familiar 3-letter words, when presented on flashcards, with 70% accuracy.

Example #2: [Client] will identify the words that begin with the same sound as a given word, when presented with visual stimuli (i.e., pictures/items), in 8 out of 10 trials.

Sound Blending

Example #1: [Client] will state the correct word when provided with a sound blend (e.g., “ c - a - t --- what animal is that?”), during a structured activity, with 90% accuracy.

Example #2: [Client] will blend each individual phoneme to produce a complete word, during a reading task with the clinician, in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Read more about phonological awareness and potential deficits to determine if these goals could be appropriate for your client!

Looking for more?

For more goals posts , check out our collection of other speech and language goals:

• How to Write Pragmatic Language Goals
• How to Write Receptive Language Goals
• How to Write AAC Goals
• How to Write Articulation Goals
• How to Write Expressive Language Goals
• How to Write Play Skills Goals
• How to Write Fluency Goals (Stuttering)
• How to Write Voice Goals (Pediatric)
• How to Write Cluttering Goals

Want to know how we prep ourselves for goal-writing (and more)?

These are some of our favorite resources for working:

• Blue light glasses - placebo effect or not, they make a huge difference for me!
• Lap desk - for when working on the couch is needed (or wanted)
• Notepads - does anyone else make lists on lists on lists? Or just me?

Citations/further resources

Roseberry-McKibbin, C., & Hegde, M. N. 1. (2016). An advanced review of speech-language pathology: Preparation for PRAXIS and comprehensive examination (4th ed.). Austin, Tex.: PRO-ED

https://www.communicationcommunity.com/what-is-phonological-awareness/

You might also like

How to Write Early Intervention Goals for Speech Therapy [goal bank included]

How to Write Stuttering Goals [with goal bank]

How to Write AAC Goals [with goal bank]

How to Write Following Directions Goals (with goal bank)

How to Write Apraxia Goals [with goal bank]

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432+ Free Measurable IEP Goals and Objectives Bank

If you want to save yourself time writing your IEP’s you’ve come to the right place. Here is a 432+ free IEP goal bank to make your life easier writing your speech therapy goals and to save you time.

IEP Goal Bank for Speech Therapy Goals

Articulation, functional life skills, expressive language, receptive language, auditory discrimination, phonological awareness, social skills/pragmatics.

• Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC)

Figurative Language

Written language, intelligibility, speech therapy goals for articulation.

Given 20 sounds and a verbal prompt or model , STUDENT will articulate the sound(s) of / / at the isolation level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 sounds, STUDENT will independently  articulate the sound(s) of / / at the isolation level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 words or pictures and a verbal prompt or model , STUDENT will articulate the sound(s) of / / at the syllable level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 words or pictures, STUDENT will independently  articulate the sound(s) of / / at the syllable level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 words or pictures and a verbal prompt or model , STUDENT will articulate the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the word level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 words or pictures, STUDENT will independently articulate the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the word level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 words or pictures and a verbal prompt or model , STUDENT will articulate the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the phrase level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given 20 words or pictures, STUDENT will independently articulate the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the phrase level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 words or pictures and a verbal prompt or model , STUDENT will articulate the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given 20 words or pictures, STUDENT will independently articulate the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a reading passage, STUDENT will independently  articulate the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the reading level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a reading passage, STUDENT will independently retell the story by articulating the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the conversational level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a reading passage, STUDENT will independently  answer WH questions by articulating the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the conversational level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a conversational topic, STUDENT will independently articulate the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the conversational level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a conversational topic, STUDENT will self-monitor  articulation of the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the conversational level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a classroom discourse, STUDENT will generalize  articulation of the sound(s) of / / in all positions of words at the conversational level  outside of the therapy setting with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

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Speech therapy goals for phonology.

• Substitution
• Assimilation
• Syllable Structure

-Substitution

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce age-appropriate bilabial  (i.e., /p, b, m/) and alveolar sounds  (i.e., /t, d, n)   in  words  to reduce the process of backing  at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce velar sounds (i.e., /k, g/)   in  words  to reduce the process of fronting  at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce age-appropriate consonants /r, l/ instead of /w, j/  in  words  to reduce the process of gliding  (i.e., “wabbit” for “rabbit”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce stop sounds (i.e., /t, p/)   in  words  to reduce the process of stopping  at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce the sounds /l, er/  in  words  to reduce the process of vowelization  at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce all age-appropriate phonemes in  words  to reduce the process of affrication  (i.e., using /ch or j/ for non-affricate “ jime ”  for “dime”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce the sounds /ch, j/  in  words  to reduce the process of deaffrication  (i.e., replacing /ch or j/ for fricative or stop “ships”  for “chips”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce the alveolar sounds   in  words (t, d, n)   to reduce the process of alveolarization  (i.e., using alveolar for non-alveolar “tan”  for “pan”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce the palatal sounds   in  words (sh, zh)   to reduce the process of depalatalization  (i.e., using non-palatal for palatal “fit”  for “fish”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce the labial sounds in  words (p, b)   to reduce the process of labialization  (i.e., using labial for non-labial “pie”  for “tie”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Assimilation

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce all age-appropriate phonemes  in  2-3 syllable words  to reduce the process of labial assimilation   (i.e., using labial /p, b, m,w/ for non-labial “ peb ” for “pen”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce all age-appropriate phonemes  in  2-3 syllable words  to reduce the process of velar assimilation   (i.e., using velar /k, g, ng/ for non-velar “kug” for “cup”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce all age-appropriate phonemes  in  2-3 syllable words  to reduce the process of nasal assimilation   (i.e., using nasal /m, n, ng/ for non-nasal “mom” for “mop”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce all age-appropriate phonemes  in  2-3 syllable words  to reduce the process of alveolar assimilation   (i.e., using alveolar /t, d, n, l, s, z/ for non-alveolar “tot” for “toss”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce the nasal sounds in  words (m, n)   to reduce the process of denasalization  (i.e., using non-nasal for nasal “doze”  for “nose”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce the final voiced consonants in  words (b, d)   to reduce the process of final consonant devoicing  (i.e., using voiceless final consonant for voiced final consonant “pick” for “pig”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce the correct phoneme in  words  to reduce the process of coalescence  (i.e., using two phonemes for one phoneme that has similar features “foon” for “spoon”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce all the phonemes  in  words  to reduce the process of reduplication  (i.e., when complete or incomplete syllable is repeated “baba” for “bottle”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Syllable Structure

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce all age-appropriate phonemes  in  2-3 syllable words  to reduce the process of cluster reduction  (i.e., “top” for “stop”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce age-appropriate consonants in the initial position of words  to reduce  initial consonant deletion  at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce age-appropriate consonants in the  medial position of words  to reduce  medial consonant deletion  at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce age-appropriate consonants in the  final position of words  to reduce final consonant deletion  at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce all syllables in two-syllable and 3-syllable words  to reduce  weak syllable deletion  at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object to describe, STUDENT will  produce only the phonemes in the word to reduce  epenthesis  (i.e., adding the “uh” sound between two consonants “bu- lue ” for “blue”) at the word, phrase, or sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Speech Therapy Goals for Deaf / Hard of Hearing

Given a hearing amplification system, STUDENT will  wear it consistently  and transport the teacher unit to all classroom teachers  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a hearing amplification system, STUDENT will  recharge it daily  at  the end of the school day ready for the next school day  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a hearing amplification system, STUDENT will  advocate  with  Speech Therapist or classroom teacher  if there are any problems with the hearing amplification system with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given hearing aids, STUDENT will  clean and dry ear molds  using the appropriate materials (i.e., soap, pipe cleaners, towels) once a week  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given hearing aids, STUDENT will  detect a weak battery  and  change the battery  as needed with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Speech Therapy Goals for Stuttering

• Desensitization
• Stuttering Modifications Techniques
• Fluency Shaping Techniques
• Secondary Behaviors

-Desensitization

Given 15 sentences with “bumpy” or “smooth” speech, STUDENT will identify if the  clinician’s speech  is “bumpy” or “smooth” with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a 2 minute tape-recording of HIS/HER reading or conversational speech with “bumpy” or “smooth” speech, STUDENT will identify if HIS/HER speech is “bumpy” or “smooth” with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 15 sentences with fast or slow speech, STUDENT will identify if the  clinician’s speech  is fast or slow with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.   

Given a 2 minute tape-recording of HIS/HER reading or conversational speech with fast or slow speech, STUDENT will identify if  HIS/HER speech  is fast or slow with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 15 sentences with random disfluencies, STUDENT will identify the disfluencies in the clinician’s speech with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a 2 minute tape-recording of HIS/HER reading or conversational speech with random disfluencies, STUDENT will identify the disfluencies in  HIS/HER speech with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Stuttering Modifications Techniques

Given knowledge, examples, and information about stuttering modification techniques (cancellation, pull-out, preparatory set), STUDENT will name and describe each stuttering modification technique  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 20 words, STUDENT will use the cancellation method to minimize disfluencies at the  word level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 10 modeled sentences, STUDENT will use the cancellation method to repeat the sentences with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 sentences, STUDENT will use the cancellation method to minimize disfluencies at the  sentence level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a reading passage, STUDENT will use the cancellation method to minimize disfluencies during  reading  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a conversational topic, STUDENT will use the cancellation method to minimize disfluencies during  a conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 words, STUDENT will use the pull-out method to minimize disfluencies at the  word level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 10 modeled sentences, STUDENT will use the pull-out method to repeat the sentences with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 sentences, STUDENT will use the pull-out method to minimize disfluencies at the  sentence level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a reading passage, STUDENT will use the pull-out  method to minimize disfluencies during  reading  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.   

Given a conversational topic, STUDENT will use the pull-out  method to minimize disfluencies during  a conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 words, STUDENT will use the preparatory set method to minimize disfluencies at the  word level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 10 modeled sentences, STUDENT will use the preparatory set method to repeat the sentences with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 sentences, STUDENT will use the preparatory set method to minimize disfluencies at the  sentence level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a reading passage, STUDENT will use the preparatory set method to minimize disfluencies during  reading  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.   

Given a conversational topic, STUDENT will use the preparatory set method to minimize disfluencies during  a conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

-Fluency Shaping Techniques

Given knowledge, examples, and information about fluency shaping techniques (easy onset, light articulatory contact, slow rate), STUDENT will name and describe each fluency shaping technique  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 20 words, STUDENT will use the easy onset technique  to minimize disfluencies at the  word level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 10 modeled sentences, STUDENT will use the easy onset technique  to repeat the sentences with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 sentences, STUDENT will use the easy onset technique to minimize disfluencies at the  sentence level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a reading passage, STUDENT will use the easy onset technique  to minimize disfluencies during  reading  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a conversational topic, STUDENT will use the easy onset technique  to minimize disfluencies during  a conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 words, STUDENT will use the light articulatory contact technique  to minimize disfluencies at the  word level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 10 modeled sentences, STUDENT will use the light articulatory contact technique  to repeat the sentences with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 sentences, STUDENT will use the light articulatory contact technique  to minimize disfluencies at the  sentence level with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a reading passage, STUDENT will use the light articulatory contact technique  to minimize disfluencies during  reading  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a conversational topic, STUDENT will use the light articulatory contact technique  to minimize disfluencies during  a conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 words, STUDENT will use the slow rate technique  to minimize disfluencies at the  word level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 10 modeled sentences, STUDENT will use the slow rate technique  to repeat the sentences with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given 20 sentences, STUDENT will use the slow rate technique  to minimize disfluencies at the  sentence level  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a reading passage, STUDENT will use the slow rate technique  to minimize disfluencies during  reading  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a conversational topic, STUDENT will use the slow rate technique  to minimize disfluencies during  a conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

-Secondary Behaviors

Given knowledge, examples, and video of oneself, STUDENT will identify and name  each of their  secondary behaviors  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a structured activity, STUDENT will identify and reduce  each of their  secondary behaviors  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversation, STUDENT will identify and reduce  each of their  secondary behaviors  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Speech Therapy Goals for Life Skills

• Conversation
• Social Skills

Given a functional symbol (cooking, community , safety, etc.), STUDENT will  match identical symbols  given a choice of 4 options wit 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a functional symbol (cooking, community , safety, etc.), STUDENT will  match symbols to actual objects  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a functional classroom symbol, STUDENT will demonstrate knowledge of the symbol by performing an action or going to the appropriate place when shown a symbo l  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a simple verbal directive (sit, stand, give, go), STUDENT will demonstrate knowledge of verbal directive by performing the action  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 pictures or objects for 2 different categories, STUDENT will identify the categories and  categorize the picture or objects  into 2 different categories  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an event or object, STUDENT will  describe the event or object using at least 3 descriptors  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an event or story, STUDENT will  retell the event or story  using appropriate  sequencing  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will independently express HIS/HER  wants or needs , such as stop, help, want, need, thirsty, toilet, etc. using HIS/HER AAC device, a gesture, or a sign with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a visual or social situation, STUDENT will label the other person’s feelings and/or emotions based on their facial expressions and body language  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a yes/no question concerning social/community settings , STUDENT will correctly answer the yes/no question  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given two objects, STUDENT will identify the  similarities and differences between the objects  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or a short story, STUDENT will explain the meaning of the figurative language and idioms  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Conversation

Given a new person entering or leaving a situation, STUDENT will independently volunteer social greetings and farewells , such as “hi” and “bye” with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will make a statement or ask a question to initiate a conversation with a familiar listener with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will make a statement or ask a question to initiate a conversation with an unfamiliar listener with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a conversation, STUDENT will maintain appropriate eye contact when speaking to another person 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a conversation, STUDENT will use an appropriate volume based on the social situation  they are in with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversation, STUDENT will make a statement or ask a question  to maintain the topic of conversation with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversation, STUDENT will take turns speaking to provide a give and take conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a conversation, STUDENT will ask 1 or 2 follow-up questions  to ensure the conversation is two-sided with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversation, STUDENT will demonstrate the ability to provide the appropriate amount of information  during a conversational exchange with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversation, STUDENT will use a statement to end the conversation appropriately with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

-Social Skills

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will maintain personal space at least an arm’s length distance between HIMSELF/HERSELF and others across all settings with no more than 1 verbal prompt  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a classroom discourse or conversation, STUDENT will actively listen to the speaker by facing the speaker, keeping mouth and body still, nodding head to show listening, asking questions and/or making on-topic comments  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will solve a social problem  by identifying the problem, developing possible solutions, and choosing the best solution  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will advocate for help  by appropriately  gaining the teacher’s attention, verbally asking for help, using clear and concise sentences  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will accurately  identify another’s perspective  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will protest using appropriate language  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will express HIS/HER feeling , such as I am frustrated, sick, happy, etc. using appropriate language  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will identify expected vs. unexpected behaviors across multiple settings  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will produce HIS/HER own ideas ( not mimicking or copying others’ ideas ) when entering or joining a conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will give and accept compliments  appropriately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation or role-play scenario, STUDENT will demonstrate comprehension of a variety of  verbal and nonverbal social cues  (e.g., eye rolls, checking watches, reduced eye contact, overt statements, etc.) by adjusting HIS/HER behavior based on these social cues  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Speech Therapy Goals for Expressive Language Delay

• Utterance Expansion
• Narrative Development
• Gestures/Signs
• Categorizations
• Similarities
• Differences
• Comparisons
• Multiple Meanings
• Grammar Structure
• Vocabulary Definitions

-Morphology

Given a writing or speaking task, STUDENT will use present progressive-tense verbs  (i.g., walking, running, laughing) appropriately   in a sentence or conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a writing or speaking task, STUDENT will use regular/irregular plural markers  (i.g., apples/feet) appropriately   in a sentence or conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a writing or speaking task, STUDENT will use article/number agreement  (i.g., an apple/the boys) appropriately   in a sentence or conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a writing or speaking task, STUDENT will use present-tense verbs  (i.g., give, go, drink) appropriately   in a sentence or conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a writing or speaking task, STUDENT will use future-tense verbs  (i.g., will drive, will stop, will park) appropriately   in a sentence or conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a writing or speaking task, STUDENT will use regular/irregular past-tense verbs  (i.g., walked/ran) appropriately   in a sentence or conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or story, STUDENT will use nouns to answer WHO or WHAT questions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or story, STUDENT will use  verbs  to tell actions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or story, STUDENT will use prepositional phrase  to answer WHERE questions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or story, STUDENT will use prepositional phrase or adjective  to answer HOW questions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use   2 words to call attention to an object (e.g., “this ball”, “my shoe”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use 2 words to show the disappearance of an object   (e.g., “no cracker”, “apple all gone”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use   2 words to indicate recurrence  of an object   (e.g., “more cracker”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use 2 words that contain an adjective and a noun  (e.g., “big bear”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use   2 words to show possession of an object   (e.g., “Daddy car”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use   2 words to show action object  (e.g., “read book “)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use   2 words to show the location of an object   (e.g., “dog car”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use   2 words to show agent action  (e.g., “dog jump”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use   2 words to show emotion  (e.g., “baby tired”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use   2 words to achieve the desired end  of an object   (e.g., “go home”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will say 3 to 4-word utterances  (e.g., “dog sitting in car”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an activity, picture, or story, STUDENT will form grammatically correct simple sentences  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given an activity, picture, or story, STUDENT will use correct subject-verb agreement in sentences  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given an activity, picture, or story, STUDENT will use all necessary propositions in sentences  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given an activity, picture, or story, STUDENT will use compound sentences  (i.e., and, but, or, etc.)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an activity, picture, or story, STUDENT will use correct subject-verb agreement  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Utterance Expansion

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use 2-3 word utterances  to describe the object or picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to ask a question/comment/describe, STUDENT will use 4-5 word utterances  to ask a question/comment/describe with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an orally presented sentence with missing words, STUDENT will identify missing words (i.e., articles, prepositions. etc.)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to ask a question/comment/describe, STUDENT will include all necessary words in a sentence  to ask a question/comment/describe with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use descriptive words  to describe the object or picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to express a want or need, STUDENT will use complete grammatically correct sentence  to express HIS/HER want or need  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to tell past events, STUDENT will use simple complete grammatically correct sentence  to tell about past events  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to express a want or need, STUDENT will use 2-4 words  to express HIS/HER want or need  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to comment or share information, STUDENT will use2-4 words  to express HIS/HER comment or share information  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a wh-question, STUDENT will use2-4 words  to answer simple Wh-questions  (i.e., who, what, when, where, why, how)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Narrative Development

Given visual cues (e.g., sequencing cards) and a story, STUDENT will sequence  the story  including problem and solution  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a story or activity, STUDENT will sequence  the story or activity that includes # parts  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to tell a story, STUDENT will use  descriptive language  to tell their story  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to tell a story from their past, STUDENT will  tell their story  with the appropriate number of details and in the right order  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a story or activity, STUDENT will use sequence words to verbally order a story or activity (e.g., first, next, then, after, last) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Gestures/Signs

Given a want or request, STUDENT will pair vocalizations with gestures  when indicating a want or requesting an object  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a want for “more”, STUDENT will use words and/or signs  to  ask for “more”  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a task or activity, STUDENT will use words and/or signs  to  indicate HE/SHE is “finished”  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a difficult task or activity, STUDENT will use words and/or signs  to  ask for “help”  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a “yes” or “no” question, STUDENT will use words and/or signs  to  answer the question with “yes” or “no”  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 common objects or pictures, STUDENT will verbally label the item  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a common object, noun, or action, STUDENT will verbally label the item  in  a phrase or sentence  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 common words, STUDENT will verbally name the word  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 common words, STUDENT will verbally name the word  in  a phrase or sentence with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will describe the object or picture  by stating the function of the item with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 words, STUDENT will describe the object or picture  by stating the function of the word with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Categorizations

Given a category, STUDENT will name (3-5) items  in that category (e.g., school items, home items, clothing, animals, colors, toys, etc.)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given 3 to 5 items in a category (e.g., dog, cat, fish, etc.), STUDENT will identify the category  (e.g., school items, home items, clothing, animals, colors, toys, etc.)   and explain their relationships  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given  3 to 5 items, STUDENT will identify the item that does not belong in the group and explain why  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a category, STUDENT will name (3-5) items  in that category  and (1) item that does not belong in that category  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Similarities

Given 3 to 5 pictures, STUDENT will select 2 similar pictures  and  explain the similarities  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3 to 5 words verbally, STUDENT will select 2 similar pictures  and  explain the similarities  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Differences

Given 3 to 5 pictures, STUDENT will select the different picture  and  explain the differences  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a list of 3 to 5 words verbally, STUDENT will identify the different word  and  explain the differences  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3 to 5 words verbally, STUDENT will identify the different word  and  explain the differences  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a word pair verbally, STUDENT will explain the primary difference  between the  two words  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Comparisons

Given two object pictures, STUDENT will compare likeness(es)  and difference(s) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given two spoken words, STUDENT will compare likeness(es)  and difference(s) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given two concepts (e.g. flying vs. driving), STUDENT will compare likeness(es)  and difference(s) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

-Multiple Meanings

Given 2 pictures that represent different meanings of the same word , STUDENT will provide a definition for each  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 2 sentences that represent different meanings of the same word, STUDENT will provide a definition for each  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a multiple meaning word , STUDENT will provide 2 or more definitions for the  multiple meaning word  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Attributes

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will describe the object or picture  by identifying a minimum of (3) attributes (e.g., color, size, number etc.) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture and asked a question, STUDENT will answer the question  by identifying a minimum of (5) attributes (e.g., color, size, number etc.) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 items presented verbally, STUDENT will describe the object or picture  by identifying a minimum of (3) attributes (e.g., color, size, number etc.) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Grammar Structure

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using articles (i.e., “a”, “an”, “the”, and “some”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using demonstrative adjectives (i.e., “this”, “that”, “these”, and “those”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using plural nouns (i.e., s, es, and irregular plural forms) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using possessive nouns (i.e., “the girl’s book”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using subject pronouns  (i.e., “I”, “he”, “she”, “you”, “we”, “they”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using object pronouns  (i.e., “me”, “him”, “her”, “you”, “us”, “them”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using possessive pronouns  (i.e., “my”, “mine”, “his”, “her/hers”, “you/yours”, “our/ours”, “their/theirs”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using reflexive pronouns  (i.e., “myself”, “himself”, “herself”, “yourself”, “yourselves”, “ourselves”, “themselves”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using present progressive verb tense  (i.e., “The girl is running”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using past progressive verb tense  (i.e., “The girl was running”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using present tense “s” and “es” marker  (i.e., “The girl runs”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using “has”/”have”  (i.e., “The girl has a book”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using regular past tense  (i.e., “The boy waited for the bus.”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using irregular past tense  (i.e., “ran”, “drove”, “drank”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using conjunctions  (i.e., “and”, “or”, “but”, “because”, “if”, “since”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using future tenses  (i.e., “The boy will go to school”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using negative sentence structures  (i.e., “will not/won’t”, “does not/doesn’t”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will ask yes/no questions  (i.e., “Is the boy hurt?”) in a complete sentence  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will ask WH questions  (i.e., “What is the girl doing?”) in a complete sentence  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using comparatives  (i.e., “The kitty is smaller than the tiger”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or story, STUDENT will say a complete sentence using superlatives  (i.e., “That is the best cookie.”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an idiom with a visual cue, STUDENT will  accurately describe the meaning of the idiom   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an idiom verbally with no visual cue, STUDENT will  accurately describe the meaning of the idiom  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an idiom verbally, STUDENT will identify a social situation where the idiom may be used appropriately  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

-Vocabulary Definitions

Given 5 words with picture cues, STUDENT will define the word correctly  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will use 2-3 critical features  to describe the object or picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an emotional expression picture or story, STUDENT will use vocabulary to clearly  describe the feelings, ideas, or experiences  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or word, STUDENT will identify synonyms  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or word, STUDENT will identify antonyms  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 5 identified words in sentences, STUDENT will provide a synonym/antonym  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a story with highlighted words, STUDENT will provide a synonym/antonym for each highlighted word  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 pictures, STUDENT will match opposite pictures in pairs (i.e., happy/sad, up/down)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object, picture, or word, STUDENT will identify the opposite  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an object or picture, STUDENT will describe the object or picture  by naming the item, identify attributes (color, size, etc.), function, or number  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a reading task, STUDENT will define unfamiliar words using context clues  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given common academic vocabulary, STUDENT will define prefix and/or suffix  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given common academic vocabulary, STUDENT will define the vocabulary word using a complete sentence with correct grammar  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Speech Therapy Language Goals

• Following Directions
• Answering Questions
• Association
• Multiple Meaning
• Prepositions

-Vocabulary

Speech therapy goals for vocabulary.

Given 10 common nouns, STUDENT will identify the correct noun  by  pointing to the appropriate picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 common verbs, STUDENT will identify the  correct verb  by  pointing to the appropriate picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 common adjectives, STUDENT will identify the  correct adjective  by  pointing to the appropriate picture (size, shape, color, texture)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3 to 5 pictures, STUDENT will identify the  category items  by  pointing/grouping pictures into categories  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Following Directions

Given manipulatives (e.g., object, paper, pencil, scissors), STUDENT will follow a  1-step direction  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given manipulatives (e.g., object, paper, pencil, scissors), STUDENT will follow  2-step directions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 2-step directions, STUDENT will follow the directions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given manipulatives (e.g., object, paper, pencil, scissors), STUDENT will follow  3-step directions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3-step directions, STUDENT will follow the directions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given manipulatives (e.g., object, paper, pencil, scissors), STUDENT will follow  multi-step directions  with location modifiers (i.e., spatial concepts)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given manipulatives (e.g., object, paper, pencil, scissors), STUDENT will follow  multi-step directions  with quantity modifiers (i.e., numbers, more/less)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given manipulatives (e.g., object, paper, pencil, scissors), STUDENT will follow  multi-step directions  with quality modifiers (i.e., size, color, shape)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given manipulatives (e.g., object, paper, pencil, scissors), STUDENT will follow  multi-step directions  with pronoun modifiers (i.e., he, she, him, her, they, them)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given verbal or written directions, STUDENT will identify the action words in the directions (e.g., “Read the book”…the action word is read)with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given verbal directions, STUDENT will follow conditional directions  (e.g., “If you are wearing a red shirt, stand up.”)with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Answering Questions

Given a story, activity, or classroom discussion, STUDENT will answer “yes or no” questions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a story, activity, or classroom discussion, STUDENT will answer WH questions  (i.e., who, what, when, where, why, how)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a verbal prompt, STUDENT will select and hand clinician the requested object or picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3 objects or pictures at a time, STUDENT will select and hand clinician the requested object or picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 5 objects or pictures at a time, STUDENT will select and hand clinician the requested object or picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 5 objects or pictures at a time and given a function, STUDENT will point to the appropriate object or picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 5 action pictures at a time and given an action, STUDENT will point to the appropriate action picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Association

Given 5 objects or pictures at a time (e.g., ball, bat, car, fork, and ring) and asked what item is associated with … (e.g., with a seatbelt), STUDENT will select an item that is associated with the objects or pictures  (e.g., car)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a word verbally, STUDENT will point to the appropriate object or picture associated with that word (e.g., ball/bat, fork/plate) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a category, STUDENT will correctly sort objects/pictures in that category  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3 items in a category and 3 categories to choose from, STUDENT will correctly sort objects/pictures into the appropriate  category  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3 different categories, STUDENT will correctly sort objects/pictures into each different  category  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3 to 5 objects or pictures, STUDENT will select 2 similar objects or pictures  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3 to 5 word verbally, STUDENT will select 2 similar words  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3 to 5 objects or pictures and an attribute (e.g, color, size, shape, number, texture, etc.), STUDENT will 1 object or picture that does not share that same attribute  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3 to 5 words and an attribute (e.g, color, size, shape, number, texture, etc.), STUDENT will 1 word  that does not share that same attribute  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Multiple Meaning

Given 3 to 5 objects or pictures and a multiple meaning word, STUDENT will select 2 objects or pictures  that represent different meanings of that word  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a multiple meaning word verbally, STUDENT will select 2 correct meanings from a group of 4 written choices  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 objects or pictures and a verbal description of a word, STUDENT will select the correct object or picture  to match the given verbal description  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 words and a verbal description of a word, STUDENT will select the correct word  to match the given verbal description  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Prepositions

Given 3 to 5 objects or pictures and a verbal preposition, STUDENT will point to the correct object or picture  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given object(s) and a verbal or written prepositions directive, STUDENT will follow the directions and  act out the preposition using the given object(s)  (e.g., “Put the doll under the table.”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a verbal question, STUDENT will select the picture of the noun that tells WHO and WHAT  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a story read aloud, STUDENT will select the picture of the noun that tells WHO and WHAT  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a verbal question, STUDENT will select the picture of the  verb  that tells the action  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a story read aloud, STUDENT will select the picture of the  verb  that tells the action  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a verbal question, STUDENT will select the picture  that tells WHERE  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a story read aloud, STUDENT will select the picture  that tells WHERE  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a verbal question, STUDENT will select the picture that tells HOW  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a story read aloud, STUDENT will select the picture that tells HOW  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a two word phrase that calls attention to an object or picture (e.g., “that car”, “her toy”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase describes the object or picture accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an object or picture and a phrase that shows the  disappearance  (e.g., “crackers all gone”, “no cookie”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase describes the object or picture accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an object or picture and a phrase that shows the  recurrence  (e.g., “more crackers”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase describes the object or picture accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an object or picture and a phrase that contains an  adjective and a noun  (e.g., “red shoe”, “big ball”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase describes the object or picture accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an object or picture and a phrase that shows  possession  (e.g., “Dad’s cat”, “girl’s shoe”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase describes the object or picture accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an object or picture and a phrase that uses  action object form  (e.g., “Tie shoe”, “read book “), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase describes the object or picture accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an object or picture and a phrase that indicates the  location  (e.g., “pencil down”, “car outside”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase describes the object or picture accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an object or picture and a phrase that uses  agent action form  (e.g., “boy jump”, “girl eat”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase describes the object or picture accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an object or picture and a phrase that shows an  emotion  (e.g., “girl sad”, “man angry”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase describes the object or picture accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given an object or picture and a phrase to achieve a  desired end  (e.g., “shoe on”, “go home”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase describes the object or picture accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  articles  (e.g., “a”, “an”, “the”, and “some”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the articles  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  adjectives  (e.g., “this”, “that”, “these”, and “those”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the adjectives  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes plurals  (e.g., s, es) and irregular plural nouns , STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the plurals  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  possessive nouns  (e.g., “the girl’s bike”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the possessive  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  subject pronouns  (e.g., “I”, “he”, “she”, “you”, “we” “they”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the pronoun  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  object pronouns  (e.g., “me”, “him”, “her”, “you”, “us”, “them”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the pronoun  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  possessive pronouns  (e.g., “my/mine”, “his”, “her/hers”, “your/yours”, “our/ours”, “their/theirs”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the pronoun  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  reflexive pronouns  (e.g., “myself”, “himself”, “herself”, “yourself”, “yourselves”, “ourselves”, “themselves”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the pronoun  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes present progressive verb tense  (e.g., “The man is running”, “The girls are waving”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the verb tense  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  past progressive verb tense  (e.g., “The man was running”, “The girls were waving”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the verb tense  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  present tense “s” and “es” marker  (e.g., “The boy jogs”, and “The bee buzzes”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the tense  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  “have” and “has”  (e.g., “The boy has a dog”, and “The girls have ice skating”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the tense  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  regular past tense  (e.g., “The dog jumped”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the tense  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a phrase or sentence that includes  irregular past tense  (e.g., “The boy ran”), STUDENT will answer “yes or no” if the phrase or sentence uses the tense  accurately   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Speech Therapy Goals for Auditory Discrimination

Given multi-step directions, STUDENT will follow 2-step, 3-step, and 4-step directions of  increasing length and complexity  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given 10 words, STUDENT will recognize the differences between same or different words  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a sentence, STUDENT will remember and repeat  of  increasing length and complexity  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a word broken down into isolated sounds, STUDENT will combine the isolated sounds together to form words  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Speech Therapy Goals for Phonological Awareness

Given 10 words, STUDENT will identify the sounds in the words  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 words, STUDENT will identify the number of sounds in the words  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 10 words, STUDENT will identify the similarities sounds in the words  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 2 words with matching beginning sounds or ending sounds, STUDENT will identify and/or match the words with the same beginning sounds or ending sounds  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a sentence with two rhyming words, STUDENT will identify the two rhyming words  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a rhyming word, STUDENT will produce two or more words that rhyme with the given word  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a word, STUDENT will substitute initial and/or final sounds  to  create new words (i.g., cat/fat; man, mad) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Speech Therapy Goals for Autism

• Play Skills
• Joint Attention
• Following Instructions
• Getting the Teacher’s Attention
• Friend Making
• General Conversation
• Perspective
• Problem Solving
• Dealing with Feelings
• Alternatives to Aggression
• Predictions/Inferences

-Play Skills

Given a toy(s), STUDENT will play with the toy(s) using their appropriate function  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a toy(s), STUDENT will demonstrate parallel play with peers for X minutes  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a toy(s), STUDENT will demonstrate symbolic play  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a toy(s), STUDENT will demonstrate pretend play  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a toy(s), STUDENT will take X turns during a play activity with peer or teacher  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to offer someone help, STUDENT will ask what the other person needs, listen, provide the help requested  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given offered help from a peer or adult, STUDENT will accept the help and thank the person, or politely decline the help  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to volunteer, STUDENT will look at the person, use a clear voice, ask to volunteer for a specific task or activity  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a task or activity to take turns, STUDENT will wait for HIS/HER turn, sit or stand quietly, keep HIS/HER legs and arms still, avoid whining or begging, and engage in activity or task when it is HIS/HER turn  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an opportunity to borrow something, STUDENT will make a polite request to borrow an item or material, accept “no” as an answer, and if the other person agrees promptly return the materials in the same condition  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a game activity, STUDENT will display good sportsmanship and play by the rules, accepting winning without bragging, and accepting losing without complaining  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a toy or object and asked to share, STUDENT will share the toy or object with a peer or adult  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Joint Attention

Given an activity with a partner, STUDENT will demonstrate joint attention for X minutes  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a communication partner, STUDENT will point to gain the communication partner’s attention  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a communication partner, STUDENT will use eye gaze to direct the communication partner’s attention  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a communication partner, STUDENT will track the eye gaze of others and predict what they are thinking and will modify their behavior based on what others are looking at  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Following Instructions

Given a direction, STUDENT will follow the 1-step direction  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 2-step directions, STUDENT will follow the 2-step directions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 3-step directions, STUDENT will follow the 3-step directions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given verbal directions, STUDENT will begin task with only 1 prompt within 1 minute of receiving the instructions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given written directions, STUDENT will read the instructions, follow each instruction in order, and ask for help if needed  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given verbal or written directions to change to another activity, STUDENT will change to the new activity within 1 minute of receiving the instructions  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Getting the Teacher’s Attention

Given the need to get the teacher’s attention, STUDENT will  look at the teacher, raise HIS/HER hand, wait to be acknowledged, and ask their question  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a need to ask a question, STUDENT will get the person’s attention appropriately, look at the person, use a pleasant tone of voice, use words such as “please”, “would”, “may I”, and listen to the person’s answer  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a need to ask for help, STUDENT will look at the person, ask if he or she has time to help, clearly describe what kind of help HE/SHE needs  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social setting, STUDENT will identify expected and unexpected behaviors in themselves and others  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social setting, STUDENT will demonstrate expected behaviors  that are expected in that setting  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given expected and unexpected behaviors, STUDENT will identify how the expected and unexpected behaviors affect the thoughts and feelings of others  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given feedback regarding HIS/HER behavior, STUDENT will modify their behavior based on the feedback  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an example of their own behavior, STUDENT will identify how their own behavior will affect the thoughts and feelings of others  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given others’ behaviors, STUDENT will identify HIS/HER thoughts about others’ behaviors  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given actions from others, STUDENT will modify their own behavior based on the actions of others  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given social interactions, STUDENT will maintain appropriate personal space and maintain safe hands and body  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given classroom or small group discussion, STUDENT will demonstrate active listening skills (e.g., body facing the speaker, keep mouth and body still, nodding head to show listening, asking questions and/or making comments) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given different social settings, STUDENT will monitor HIS/HER volume and adjust it based on setting and/or situation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given classroom or small group discussion, STUDENT will make on-topic and appropriate comments  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a specific behavior, STUDENT will identify how it makes others feel , the consequences, and how that then makes HIM/HER feel about HIMSELF/HERSELF  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social situation, STUDENT will identify how others are feeling and identify at least one visual cue that lead them to that conclusion  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a task, STUDENT will listen carefully, gather materials, and begin working quietly  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a task, STUDENT will read the directions and attempt the assignment before asking the teacher for help  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Group Work

Given a group activity, STUDENT will cooperate with others, use a kind voice, and follow the set group guidelines  for the activity with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a group activity, STUDENT will use appropriate volume level  for the activity and setting with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a group activity, STUDENT will discuss what goal needs to be achieved with the group, decided HIS/HER role is going to be, accept help or feedback from peers, follow rules, share materials, and give praise to others,  for the activity with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a new class period, STUDENT will come prepared for class by bringing all necessary materials (i.e., books, papers, homework, and writing tools) , being on time, and handing in assignments as requested by the teacher  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a new class period, STUDENT will determine what materials HE/SHE needs for class, gather materials, and only take those materials HE/SHE needs for class  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.     Given an assignment, STUDENT will write down the assignment in HIS/HER planner or electronic device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a make-up or missed assignment, STUDENT will ask the teacher for the make-up or missed assignment  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Friend Making

Given an unfamiliar person to meet, STUDENT will introduce HIMSELF/HERSELF by looking at the person, use an appropriate greeting (i.e., Hi, my name is…”) and telling the person it was nice meeting HIM/HER when leaving  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a familiar or unfamiliar person to greet, STUDENT will look at the person, use a kind voice, and say “hi” or “hello” following all 3 steps with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given an opportunity to compliment someone, STUDENT will look at the person, use a kind voice, give HIM/HER a compliment, and give the person time to respond  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a compliment, STUDENT will look at the person, use a kind voice to thank the person (i.e., “Thank you, it’s my favorite shirt.”) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-General Conversation

Given a greeting from a peer or adult, STUDENT will acknowledge the greeting by  looking at the person and  returning the greeting  (e.g., “hello”, “hi”, “how are you?”, etc.)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a small group or classroom discussion, STUDENT will initiate the conversation (e.g., ask a question, make a comment, give a compliment, etc.)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a need or desire, STUDENT will  spontaneously communicate HIS/HER needs or desire (e.g., “I need…”, “I want…”)   with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a small group discussion, STUDENT will take turns during the conversation with a peer or an adult with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a small group discussion, STUDENT will identify expected and unexpected behaviors for a conversation (e.g., topic maintenance, topic changes, asking questions, on-topic comments, unrelated comments, appropriate interruptions, long talking turns, not responding, initiating conversations, etc.) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversational partner, STUDENT will describe the conversational partner’s emotional responses of HIM/HER when HE/SHE uses expected and unexpected behaviors during a conversation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a small group discussion, STUDENT will demonstrate expected behaviors during preferred and un-preferred conversational topics  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversational partner, STUDENT will identify how that person is feeling based on observing their body language  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a small group discussion, STUDENT will use conversation maintenance strategies  (i.e., making comments, take turns, ask questions, etc.) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversational partner, STUDENT will maintain a topic for at least 3 conversational turns  (e.g., ask partner-focused questions, make comments, etc) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversation, STUDENT will look at the speaker, ask questions when appropriate, and not interrupt others  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversation, STUDENT will use the appropriate volume based on the setting  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversation, STUDENT will appropriately join the conversation by looking at the people, waiting for a moment when no one else is talking, make a comment or ask a question that relates to the topic  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversational partner who is busy talking with someone else, STUDENT will wait until the other person is finished speaking, look at the person, get their attention  (“Excuse me…”, “Do you have a minute…”) and wait for the person to acknowledge HIM/HER before continuing  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a need to interrupt, STUDENT will look at the person, wait for the person to acknowledge them, begin with “Excuse me for interrupting, but…” make a specific request or give information  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a small group or classroom discussion, STUDENT will demonstrate active listening skills   (track the speaker with their eyes, keep mouth and body still and quiet, nodding head to show listening, ask questions and/or make comments, etc.) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a communication partner and a communication breakdown, STUDENT will use  communication breakdown strategies,  such as restating what HE/SHE said, adjusting volume, using a slow rate, use precise articulation, move hands/items away from mouth  to improve HIS/HER intelligibility level so that the listener can understand HIS/HER request or question with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Perspective

Given a social interaction, STUDENT will accurately identify another’s perspective  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given different conversational partners (e.g., peer, teacher, authority figure, etc.), STUDENT will adjust HIS/HER language style and topics of conversation based on the conversation partner  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or social interaction, STUDENT will identify another person’s emotion and why HE/SHE is feeling that way  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Problem Solving

Given a problem and problem solving graphic organizer , STUDENT will identify 3 solutions, the 3 consequences of those solutions, then determine the best solution, and explain why that is the best solution  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a problem, STUDENT will appropriately  identify the size of the problem  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given problems at differing sizes, STUDENT will identify appropriate reaction size to the problem  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Dealing with Feelings

Given a time when the student is angry, STUDENT will use a calming strategy (e.g., breathe slowly, take a break, count to 10, listen to music, etc.) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given warning and a change in routine, STUDENT will identify exactly what is changing, ask questions, remain calm, and explain HIS/HER feelings of concern  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given warning and a change in routine, STUDENT will accept the change without becoming upset  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social interaction, STUDENT will identify HIS/HER emotion and why HE/SHE is feeling that way  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Alternatives to Aggression

Given a real-life or role-play scenario, STUDENT will demonstrate how to accept teacher help to make an appropriate decision during a conflict situation  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a real-life or role-play conflict scenario, STUDENT will demonstrate appropriate peer mediation skills to resolve the conflict  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a real-life or role-play conflict scenario, STUDENT will remain calm and relaxed, listen to the other person, determine what they can agree on  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given criticism or feedback, STUDENT will look at the person, say “okay”, and not argue  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a problem, STUDENT will define exactly what the problem is, brainstorm possible options, consider disadvantages and advantages of options, and choose the best option  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a defeat or loss in a game, STUDENT will look at the person who won , remain calm, and congratulate the other person  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given an upsetting situation, STUDENT will express HIS/HER anger with non-aggressive words to describe how HE/SHE feels  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Predictions/Inferencing

Given a picture, STUDENT will make a prediction or inference about the picture with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a short story, STUDENT will make a prediction or inference about the story with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a social scenario, STUDENT will make a prediction or inference about the scenario and identify at least one visual cue that contributed to HIS/HER inference  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Augmentative Alternative Communication

Speech therapy goals for aac.

• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
• Sign Language

-Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Given a want or need, STUDENT will request a want or a need by pulling off a picture symbol and placing it into the teacher’s hand  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a want or need, STUDENT will choose the “I want” or “I need” symbol plus the desired item , then place them both onto the sentence strip , then and hand the sentence strip to the teacher  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.  

Given a simple question, such as “What do you want?”, STUDENT will independently choose a picture symbol to answer a simple question  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.    

Given augmentative symbols or device, STUDENT will carry device to various school and community locations  (lunchroom, classroom, recess etc.) with minimal prompting with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given augmentative symbols or device, STUDENT will independently navigate to the “home” page  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a question or community helper or form, STUDENT will identify HIS/HER contact information  selecting (i.e. name, address, phone number, etc.) using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a community sign, STUDENT will identify the community sign  (i.e. restroom, stop sign, crosswalk, exit, etc.) using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a question, STUDENT will express HIS/HER preference selecting “yes or no” using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a group of pictures, STUDENT will identify the category of the pictures using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object, STUDENT will identify the color  of the picture or object using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object, STUDENT will identify the shape  of the picture or object using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object, STUDENT will identify the attributes  (hot/cold, big/little, soft/hard) of the picture or object using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a group of objects, STUDENT will count the objects  and select the appropriate number of objects (1-10)  using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a picture or object, STUDENT will select matching word  using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 5 pictures of facial emotions, STUDENT will identify the emotion  using  augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities. 

Given a spoken question, STUDENT will select the desired activity  using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a communication partner, STUDENT will initiate a conversation with a peer or teacher (i.e. hello, how are you ?, etc.) using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a communication partner, STUDENT will maintain a conversation  and engage in up to 3 conversational exchanges with a peer or teacher using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given augmentative symbols or device, STUDENT will select HIS/HER meal choices  (in the school lunchroom, restaurant, etc.) with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a communication partner, STUDENT will spontaneously make a request or greet a peer or teacher using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a time of frustration, STUDENT will independently indicate a break or refuse an undesired item or activity  (i.e. “no”, “I don’t want”, “I don’t like”, etc.)   using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a communication partner, STUDENT will inform others of past events  using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a communication partner and a communication breakdown, STUDENT will repair the communication breakdown  using augmentative symbols or device  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

-Sign Language

Given a need and a verbal prompt, STUDENT will sign a basic “need” sign , such as ( help, more, done, want, need etc.) to make a request  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a need, STUDENT will sign a basic “need” sign , such as ( help, more, done, want, need etc.) to make a request  spontaneously across multiple school environments and the community  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a conversational partner, STUDENT will  introduce HIMSELF/HERSELF by fingerspelling HIS/HER name or using HIS/HER name sign  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a signed picture or object, STUDENT will receptively identify the picture or object that was signed with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 5 pictures or objects, STUDENT will expressively label  the pictures or objects using sign with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given 5 pictures of facial emotions, STUDENT will identify the emotion  using sign with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Speech Therapy Goals for Figurative Language

Given a reading task, STUDENT will identify and interpret the meaning of  idioms , metaphors, similes, or proverbs  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a writing task, STUDENT will create similes and/or metaphors in a sentence or paragraph  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a reading task, STUDENT will make predictions and inferences based on  textual evidence  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a reading task, STUDENT will make inferences based on a character in literature   about why they say, feel, and do the things that they do  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Speech Therapy Goals Written Language

Given a writing task, STUDENT will produce  grammatically correct sentences  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a writing task, STUDENT will vary HIS/HER use of sentence starters to enhance HIS/HER writing with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a short story or video, STUDENT will answer wh -questions (who, what, when, where, why, & how) using complete sentences  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Given a graphic organizer, STUDENT will produce a five paragraph essay including an  introduction, topic sentences, transitions, and conclusion  with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Speech Therapy Goals Intelligibility

Given a communication partner and a communication breakdown, STUDENT will use  clear slow speech  and pausing to gather HIS/HER thoughts to improve HIS/HER intelligibility level so that the listener can understand HIS/HER request or question with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Send me the FREE IEP Goal Bank!

Speech therapy goals conclusion.

I hope you find these speech therapy goals helpful or they gave you an idea for how to write speech therapy goals.

Let me know if there are other speech therapy goals and objectives that would be helpful or if you have examples of speech therapy goals.

Monday 12th of December 2022

This is one of most GO-TO Goal banks. Thank you so much!

Melissa Berg

Tuesday 27th of December 2022

Hi Jannette, I'm SO happy to hear that this is your GO_TO goal bank. Wishing you all my best! Melissa

Tuesday 4th of October 2022

Hi! I use this goal bank frequently but am always wondering why it was decided to label the goals for D/deaf and Hard of Hearing people as "Hearing Impaired/Impairment"? From my understanding and work with the DHH population, most prefer the terms, deaf, Deaf, or Hard of Hearing rather than Hearing Impaired. Just wanted to check in about it! Thanks!

Wednesday 5th of October 2022

Hi Melissa, Thanks so much for the feedback! I have made the updated suggestion. All my best, Melissa

Janet Pevsner

Monday 19th of September 2022

Your materials are sooo great AND you are soooo generous with your materials! Thank you so much for this Melissa.

Tuesday 20th of September 2022

Hi Janet, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words! It means so much to me. I'm happy to know you like my materials! Wishing you all the best, Melissa

Monday 29th of August 2022

I love your material, it's so helpful! Thank you so much!

Lorena Bazarte

Thursday 25th of August 2022

Can you include goals for consultation for students in language articulation and fluency--when students have mastered the objectives but want to keep them in consult to monitor that they maintain their skills.

Saturday 27th of August 2022

Hi Lorena, I love this idea! I currently don't have anything in the works, but can add this to my future ideas list! All my best, Melissa

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Phonological Awareness Activities

We're Going on a Leaf Hunt Story Companion

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin Story Companion

Dragons Love Tacos Story Companion

Snowmen at Night Story Companion

Giraffes Can't Dance Story Companion

What is Rhyming? : Start by telling your students that rhyming is when words sound the same at the end. It’s like a musical pattern in language!

Examples : Give them examples of rhyming words they might be familiar with, such as “cat” and “hat,” “dog” and “fog,” or “run” and “fun.” Point out how the ending sounds are alike in each pair.

Reading Rhymes : Read rhyming books or poems aloud to your students. Encourage them to listen carefully to the words and identify when they sound the same at the end of each line. Dr. Seuss books are excellent for this purpose!

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IEP Goal Bank

The following is a sample of some goals I write for students with communication disorders. Please feel free to bookmark this page and reference when writing goals and objectives. You make share a link to this page. You may not copy/paste this set of goal and share it as you own or post it in its entirety on a separate website. Happy Goal Writing!

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Speech is Beautiful

Enhance Phonological Awareness with Rhyming Words

Products in Action

Identifying rhyming words plays a crucial role in the development of language skills. This phonological awareness skill helps children recognize and understand the sound patterns in language. By identifying rhymes, children become more attuned to the sounds and structures of words, which in turn strengthens their ability to decode and recognize new words when reading. Rhyming also helps children develop an understanding of word families and phonics, as they discover that words with similar sounds often share letter patterns. Rhyming words also add a playful and engaging element to reading and language development activities, making them more enjoyable and motivating for your students. Ultimately, mastering the skill of identifying rhyming words lays a solid foundation for successful reading comprehension, fluency, and language development.

The Benefits of Rhyming Activities

To build language skills, reading comprehension, and fluency, I have created an engaging resource for teachers, special education educators, and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to use with their students. The resource, Rhyming Words Mega Pack , contains 27 pages of color and black and white task cards. The black and white cards are the perfect print-and-go option for homework or at-home practice while the colored task cards make a great in-class option. To use the colored cards, I highly suggest printing them on card stock and laminating them for reuse. 

My Rhyming Words Mega Pack offers a diverse range of stimuli to help children strengthen their rhyming skills. The pack includes various sets of task cards with different word combinations, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. Additionally, the pack introduces (or extends) the concept of “foils” to challenge learners and deepen their understanding of rhyming words. These foils consist of words that may have similar sounds but do not actually rhyme. By including these foils, the pack encourages children to discern the subtle differences between words and sharpen their rhyming perception skills.

Ongoing Fun: Rhyming Word Pictures!

The best part about this resource? It offers ongoing benefits! The colored task cards (after printing and laminating) can be used year after year with your students! These cards are also a great addition to a variety of rhyming games and activities! The following games and activities can easily be incorporated into your sessions through the use of these task cards:

• Matching Game : Use the task card pairs, shuffle them and lay them face-down on a table. Players take turns flipping two cards, trying to make a match of rhyming words. The player with the most matches wins.
• Rhyme Relay: Divide players into teams. Give each team a set of task cards. One player from each team races to pick a card, read the word aloud, and find a rhyming word from another card in the set. Once they’ve found a match, they tag the next player on their team, who repeats the process. The team that finishes first with the most rhyming word pairs wins.
• Rhyme Charades : Have players draw a task card and act out the word without speaking. The other players must guess the word and then come up with a rhyming word. This game encourages creativity and quick thinking.
• Rhyme Bingo : Create bingo boards with rhyming words. Use the task cards as the calling cards, reading out the words and players marking the corresponding rhyming word on their board. The first player to get a line or a full board of rhyming words calls out “Rhyme Bingo!”

Using this resource is a great way to practice the phonological awareness skill of rhyming. As I explained above, this set of task cards can be used in a variety of ways (games, activities, flashcards, and more), you may be looking for even more ways to rhyme. The following resources are the perfect addition to your classroom toolkits! 

• Rhyming Words Mega Pack 2 (BOOM Card Version)
• Rhyming Words Mega Pack 2 (No Print PDF Version)
• Rhyming Words Mega Pack 2 (Printable Task Cards Version)

Take the step towards improving your student’s rhyming skills by purchasing the Rhyming Words Mega Pack today. With this comprehensive resource at your disposal, you’ll be equipping your students to develop essential phonological awareness skills. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make learning rhyming words engaging and effective. Visit my TpT Store to get your hands on this invaluable resource and start unlocking the potential for improved reading skills. Let the journey to mastering rhyming commence!

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Articulation & Phonology Goal Bank

• (client) will produce [sound] in the initial position in words/phrases/sentences with accurately in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client)  will produce [sound] in the medial position in words/phrases/sentences  accurately in 80%  of opportunities  for 3 data collections.
• (client)  will produce [sound] in the final position in words/phrases/sentences  accurately in 80%  of opportunities  for 3 data collections.
• (client)  will produce [sound] blends in words/phrases/sentences  accurately in 80%  of opportunities  for 3 data collections.
• (client) will  produce [sound] across all word positions while reading short passages  with 80% accuracy for 3 sessions.
• (client) will  produce [sound] across all word positions in connected speech of 3+  with 80% accuracy for 3 sessions.
• (client) will produce  produce [sound] across all word positions in spontaneous speech within unstructured activities  (playing a game, spontaneous speech, etc) with 80% accuracy for 3 sessions.
• (client) will imitate vowel sounds in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will imitate consonants /p, b, m, t, d, n, k, g, h, w/ as single sounds in  80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will imitate /p, b, m, t, d, n, k, g, h, w/ in  reduplicated CVCV combinations  (dada, moo moo, etc) in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will imitate /p, b, m, t, d, n, k, g, h, w/ in variegated CVCV combinations (hippo, bunny, etc) in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will imitate /p, b, m, t, d, n, k, g, h, w/ in CV combinations (me, two, etc) in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will imitate /p, b, m, t, d, n, k, g, h, w/ in VC combinations (up, in) in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will establish placement for /r/ phoneme in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will produce prevocalic /r/ in words/phrases/sentences in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will produce vocalic /r/ (ER, AR, AIR, EAR, IRE, OR) in words/phrases/sentences with 80% accuracy for 3 data collections.
• (client) will produce /r/ blends in words/phrases/sentences in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will suppress the phonological pattern of final consonant deletion by producing consonants in the word-final position in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will suppress the phonological pattern of stopping by producing age-appropriate continuant sounds in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will suppress the phonological pattern of fronting by producing velar consonants in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will suppress the phonological pattern of cluster reduction by producing all consonants within blends in 80% of opportunities for 3 data collections.
• (client) will produce single words with 80% intelligibility during therapy session for 3 data collections.
• (client) will produce sentences with 80% intelligibility during therapy session for 3 data collections.
• (client) will produce speech during structured tasks with 80% intelligibility  during therapy session  for 3 data collections.
• (client) will produce speech during spontaneous communication with 80% intelligibility during therapy session for 3 data collections.
• (client) will speak at an appropriate rate of speech in 80% of opportunities across 3 data sessions.
• (client) will speak at an appropriate volume of speech in 80% of opportunities across 3 data sessions.

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R Goal bank

These goals are intended to serve as ideas so you’re not recreating the wheel. For more information on how to structure your goal, please refer to this  ASHA article  as well as any guidelines set by your employer/supervisor.

• will accurately judge the accuracy of other’s production of R words (correct/incorrect) 
• will accurately self-rate productions of R
• will participate in self-rating productions of R words
• will describe the anatomy of the mouth/articulators 
• will describe appropriate tongue placement for R
• will identify the beginning sound of R, L, W words 
• will correct instances of gliding within a structured activity 
• will reduce instances of gliding to # or fewer (allowing for self-correction) in a session
• will participate in growth mindset activities/discussions
• will follow verbal commands for phonetic placement
• will accurately achieve placement for R
• will achieve an approximation of appropriate tongue/lip/jaw placement for the R sound 
• will produce an R approximation they self-rate as (#) or above on a scale of (#) to (#)
• will participate in self-rating productions of R
• will produce one variation of R at word level 
• will produce one variation of R
• will produce “ER” in isolation 
• will produce final R in words/phrases/sentences
• will produce “postvocalic R + consonant” in words/phrases/sentences
• will accurately produce every variation of intervocalic R in words/phrases/sentences
• will accurately produce every variation of vocalic R in words/phrases/sentences
• will produce 3 variations of vocalic R in words/phrases/sentences
• will produce initial R in words/phrases/sentences
• will produce R blends in words/phrases/sentences
• will produce TR/DR in words/phrases/sentences
• will produce PR/BR in words/phrases/sentences
• will produce CR/GR in words/phrases/sentences
• will produce RL blends in words/phrases/sentences
• will produce recurring R in words/phrases/sentences
• will correctly produce R words when reading out loud
• will correctly produce R words during structured conversation
• will correctly produce R words in structured activity with  time constraint
• will complete a speech therapy session with no more than # R errors
• will report on home carryover
• will report on home program follow-through 
• will use R in X setting
• will use R with X (friend/family member)
• will complete daily log of self-reflection on R usage throughout their day

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Home » Blog » General » Navigating IEP Goals for Effective CVC Word Learning

Navigating IEP Goals for Effective CVC Word Learning

Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals play a crucial role in supporting students with speech and language difficulties. When it comes to speech and language development, one area that requires special attention is CVC word learning. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of IEP goals and how to navigate them effectively to promote successful CVC word learning.

Understanding IEP Goals

IEP goals are specific objectives that are designed to address the unique needs of students with disabilities. These goals serve as a roadmap for educators, therapists, and parents to guide the student’s progress and ensure they receive the necessary support and interventions.

An effective IEP goal should be:

• Specific: Clearly define the desired outcome and target area of improvement.
• Measurable: Establish criteria for success and identify how progress will be measured.
• Attainable: Set realistic and achievable goals based on the student’s abilities and potential.
• Relevant: Align with the student’s individual needs and educational objectives.
• Timeframe: Specify a timeline for achieving the goal.

Importance of CVC Word Learning

CVC words, which stands for consonant-vowel-consonant words, are fundamental building blocks of early literacy and language development. These simple three-letter words, such as “cat,” “dog,” and “hat,” help children develop phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and vocabulary.

CVC word learning is particularly important for students with speech and language difficulties as it helps them improve their articulation, phonological awareness, and overall communication skills. By incorporating CVC word learning in IEP goals, we can provide targeted support to address these specific areas of need.

When it comes to navigating IEP goals for CVC word learning, collaboration with the IEP team is essential. This includes communicating with parents/guardians, consulting with teachers and other professionals, and working together to create a comprehensive plan for the student’s success.

Assessing the student’s current abilities is the first step in developing effective IEP goals. By identifying their strengths and weaknesses, we can determine appropriate CVC word targets that are challenging yet attainable for the student.

Setting specific and measurable goals is crucial for tracking progress and ensuring accountability. Clearly define the desired outcome and establish criteria for success. For example, a goal could be for the student to correctly produce 80% of targeted CVC words in structured speech therapy sessions within six months.

When selecting strategies and interventions, it is important to utilize evidence-based practices and incorporate multisensory approaches. This could include using visual aids, manipulatives, and interactive activities to engage the student and enhance their learning experience.

Monitoring progress and making adjustments along the way is vital to ensure the student is making meaningful progress. Collect data regularly to track their performance and modify goals and strategies as needed. This ongoing assessment allows us to tailor the intervention to the student’s changing needs.

Tips for Supporting CVC Word Learning Outside of School

Supporting CVC word learning should not be limited to the school setting. Encouraging practice at home can significantly reinforce the skills learned in therapy sessions. Provide parents/guardians with resources and materials, such as flashcards or online games, to facilitate practice at home.

Engaging in interactive activities can make CVC word learning more enjoyable and effective. Encourage parents/guardians to play word games, read books together, and create opportunities for the student to use CVC words in everyday conversations.

Promoting generalization of skills is also important. Help parents/guardians understand how to transfer the learned skills to real-life situations. For example, encourage them to ask the student to identify CVC words in their environment or use them in writing tasks.

IEP goals and CVC word learning are essential components of supporting students with speech and language difficulties. By understanding the importance of individualized goals and incorporating CVC word learning, we can provide targeted support to help students improve their speech and language skills.

If you are in the discovery stage of seeking solutions for your child’s speech and language needs, I encourage you to seek further guidance and support. EverydaySpeech offers a free trial that provides access to a wide range of resources and materials to support CVC word learning and other speech and language goals. Start your EverydaySpeech free trial today and empower your child’s communication journey.

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What Is the Format of Human Thought?

Thinking in words, pictures, both, or neither..

Posted May 28, 2024 | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer

• The format of human thought (visual, linguistic, conceptual) is the subject of debate.
• The ability to use visual imagery and or linguistic imagery comes in a wide variety of strengths.
• Most of us use imagery, an internal voice, or both when we’re thinking. But not everyone does.

What is a thought? What does a thought feel like? Is it an image, a sound, or both? When you think, are you talking to yourself or remembering something that happened, like pulling out a photograph to examine? Or do you have an inner voice , talking to you about what is going on or what you remember?

I recently discovered that a member of my extended family does not have a visual imagination . If I asked him to imagine his backyard, or dancing with his wife at their wedding, he tells me that he can’t do it. He does not have a visual image that he can pull back up and examine. This inability to picture things in his mind’s eye is called aphantasia . The name comes from the Greek phantasia meaning appearance or image and the prefix “ a ” from the Greek for without .

First described by Sir Francis Galton in 1880, the ability to imagine with visual imagery apparently exists on a spectrum, from people who can describe vivid, colorful, and detailed images in their “mind’s eye” to people who say they simply don’t experience images when they try to imagine something that has happened in their lives. Aphantasia isn’t considered a medical or psychological condition or disability. It's just another example of the variety of inner experiences human beings can have. Galton himself concludes that perhaps being able to “see” clear mental images might make thinking abstractly more difficult, and that those who don’t see inner images might use other sensory modalities in their thinking. He says: “chiefly I believe connected with the motor sense, that men who declare themselves entirely deficient in the power of seeing mental pictures can nevertheless give life-like descriptions of what they have seen, and can otherwise express themselves as if they were gifted with a vivid visual imagination.’ (Page 304).

If you asked my family member “did you dance with your wife at your wedding” he would tell you truthfully that he did (there are photographs to attest to the accuracy of his memory ). But he gets no image of doing so. However, he says if I asked him to sketch the layout of the reception hall, or the design of their wedding cake, he would have no trouble doing so.

Anendoaphasia

There is another difference in the ability to imagine an event that has been described in the literature. According to Nedergaard and Lupyan (2024) “ anendophasia ” refers to the lack of an inner voice or inner speech in one’s “mind’s ear.” The name comes from several Greek roots; “ an ” meaning “ the absence of ”, “ endo ” meaning “ internal or from within ourselves ” and “ phasia ” referring to “ language or speech .”

Many people report hearing an inner voice, often their own voice, inside their head when they think. In fact, it is so common that it has earned several names: “verbal thinking, inner speaking, covert self-talk, internal monologue, and internal dialogue” with equally numerous cognitive functions assigned to it, including self-regulation of both thinking and behavior and the development of language skills (Alderson-Day and Fernyhough, 2015, pg. 931).

Nedergaard and Lupyan were interested in the cognitive and behavioral consequences of the absence of an inner voice. They asked their participants to complete the Internal Representations Questionnaire or IRQ (Roebuck and Lupyan, 2020) which assesses auditory, visual and orthographic imagery. After separating their participants into those who report high and low levels of an inner voice, Nedergaard and Lupyan assessed performance on four different behavioral tasks. These four tasks were: (1) a test of verbal working memory, where participants were asked to recall the five words they had just seen, in the order of presentation, (2) a measure of rhyming ability, where subjects were asked whether two words rhymed or not, (3) task-switching where participants had to switch from adding to subtracting 3 to a series of numbers presented to them, and (4) a task that required participants to determine if two briefly presented images were the same or different. Performance on all four of these measures were theoretically expected to differ as a function of inner speech.

Participants with more inner speech recalled more words correctly in the verbal memory task, as predicted. They were also faster and more accurate in performance of the rhyming task compared to those with less inner speech. However, the two groups did not differ in the task requiring task-switching, even when the switch was cued within the task, and they did not differ in either speed or accuracy in performance of the same/different task.

When participants were asked about how they approached solving each task, there were few if any statistical differences in the use of “talking out loud” as a strategy to solve the task. Participants who did not report inner speech were just as likely to use talking out loud as a strategy as were the “high” inner speech participants.

So, do we know what form thoughts take yet? Well, yes and no. Some people who seem to lack an inner voice and visual imagery report that they think “conceptually,” using what Hurlburt and Akhter (2008) called “unsymbolized thinking.” Exactly what unsymbolized thinking is like is difficult to describe, and as a result, difficult to study. But Nedergaard and Lupyan speculate that it may “correspond to a genuinely different form of experience in which people entertain more abstract conceptual representations that are less accessible to people with higher levels of inner speech and imagery” (page 15).

Most of us use imagery, an internal voice, or both when we’re thinking. But don’t make the apparently common mistake of assuming that everyone does.

Alderson-Day, B., & Fernyhough, C. (2015). Inner speech: Development, cognitive functions, phenomenology, and neurobiology. Psychological Bulletin , 141 (5), 931–965

Galton, F. (1880) Statistics of mental imagery, Mind: A Quarterly Review of Psychology and Philosophy, 19 , 301-318, doi: 10.1093/mind/os-V.19.301

Hurlburt R.T., and Akhter, S.A. (2008). Unsymbolized thinking. Consciousness and Cognition, 17 , 1364–1374.

Nedergaard, J.S.K., and Lupyan, G. (2024). Not everybody has an inner voice: behavioral consequences of Anendophasia. Psychological Science , Advance Online publication, doi: 10.1177/09567976241243004

Barbara Blatchley, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Agnes Scott College in Georgia. She researches sensory system development and perceptual processing.

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