Speech Therapy Goals: Examples by Age and Condition"



Introduction:
Speech therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals of all ages improve their communication skills. Setting clear, age-appropriate goals is key to successful therapy. Whether for toddlers just starting to speak, school-aged children with articulation challenges, or individuals with conditions like autism or cerebral palsy, tailored goals guide progress. Let’s explore examples of speech therapy goals by age and condition.


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Speech Therapy Goals by Age

1. Infants & Toddlers (0-3 Years)

Goal Example 1: Increase use of gestures (like pointing or waving) to communicate wants and needs.

Goal Example 2: Imitate simple sounds or words (e.g., "mama," "ball").

Goal Example 3: Follow simple directions with visual cues (e.g., “Give me the toy.”)


2. Preschoolers (3-5 Years)

Goal Example 1: Produce early developing sounds (/p/, /b/, /m/) correctly in simple words.

Goal Example 2: Use short sentences of 4-5 words to express ideas.

Goal Example 3: Answer basic “wh” questions (who, what, where) appropriately.


3. School-Age Children (6-12 Years)

Goal Example 1: Correctly pronounce later-developing sounds (e.g., /r/, /th/, /s/).

Goal Example 2: Use complex sentences with conjunctions like “because” or “although.”

Goal Example 3: Retell a short story in sequence with beginning, middle, and end.


4. Teenagers (13-18 Years)

Goal Example 1: Improve conversational turn-taking and topic maintenance.

Goal Example 2: Strengthen problem-solving skills in social situations.

Goal Example 3: Use appropriate language register (formal/informal) in different contexts.



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Speech Therapy Goals by Condition

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Goal Example 1: Initiate communication with peers during play.

Goal Example 2: Expand vocabulary for daily routines and preferred topics.

Goal Example 3: Use scripts or visual supports to help with social interactions.


2. Speech Sound Disorders

Goal Example 1: Accurately produce target speech sounds in words and sentences.

Goal Example 2: Increase awareness of errors to improve self-correction.

Goal Example 3: Generalize correct sound production to conversations.


3. Cerebral Palsy

Goal Example 1: Improve breath control and voice clarity for single words.

Goal Example 2: Use augmentative communication devices when needed.

Goal Example 3: Develop strategies for intelligibility in structured activities.


4. Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

Goal Example 1: Learn new vocabulary related to school and daily life.

Goal Example 2: Understand and use basic grammar structures.

Goal Example 3: Answer “why” and “how” questions to demonstrate comprehension.



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Conclusion:
Speech therapy goals are not one-size-fits-all. They are carefully crafted based on the individual’s age, developmental stage, and specific needs. By setting these personalized goals, therapists help children and adults find their voice, strengthen communication, and build confidence in their daily lives.


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