How does the builder put a goal together?
Each field becomes one part of the sentence: when, who, what, where, support, how well.
- By when: a date or time frame, such as "By 30 June" or "Within 12 weeks".
- Who: the person, kept as [Name] if you are drafting a goal to reuse.
- Will do what: one observable skill, starting with a verb you could see or hear.
- In which situation: the setting, activity or people involved.
- Level of support: from independently to hand-over-hand support faded to gestures.
- How well: the criterion, such as 4 out of 5 opportunities or 80% accuracy.
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Each field becomes one part of the sentence, in this order.
What does SMART mean for a therapy goal?
Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound. The checklist confirms each part is filled in.
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Specific means one skill described as behaviour. Measurable means a criterion you can count in a session. Achievable means support and criterion fit the current baseline. Relevant means the skill matters in the person's life. Time-bound means a review date.
The checklist under the goal ticks each letter once the matching field has content. Whether the goal is right for the person is decided by your assessment and the family.
Example goals built with the tool
Four fictional examples from speech, OT, ABA and physiotherapy. Adapt every part before use.
- Speech therapy: By [date], J. will request help using a two-word phrase during snack time at home with one visual support in 4 out of 5 opportunities across 3 consecutive sessions.
- Occupational therapy: Within 12 weeks, L. will fasten 3 large buttons on a school shirt while seated with minimal prompts in 4 out of 5 opportunities.
- ABA and behaviour therapy: By [date], D. will use a picture card to ask for a break during table work independently on 4 out of 5 days as recorded in the weekly log.
- Physiotherapy: Within 8 weeks, Mrs K. will stand up from a standard-height chair without using her hands independently in 8 out of 10 trials.
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These fictional examples show the parts in use. Adapt every element before using a goal.
How do you choose a criterion?
Pick one you can actually record in a session.
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If you see a skill only three or four times a session, "4 out of 5 opportunities" is honest; "80% accuracy" suits blocks of ten or more trials. Duration criteria such as "for at least 5 minutes" suit attention, play and endurance goals. Consistency across sessions or settings shows the skill has held beyond one good day.
How should support levels change over time?
Change one part at a time: lower the support, widen the situation or raise the criterion.
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Many goals progress by reducing support while the skill stays the same: a child requests with a model, then a visual support, then independently. Change one part at a time for the next short-term goal. Changing several at once makes it hard to tell what made the difference.
