IEP Goals for Students with Autism: A Comprehensive Guide

IEP Goals That Address the Whole Student

Students with autism have unique strengths and challenges. Effective IEP goals address communication, social interaction, behavior, sensory needs, and academics -- not just the areas of deficit but also building on strengths.

Communication Goals

Expressive Language:

• [Student] will use complete sentences (4+ words) to express wants and needs in 80% of observed communication opportunities.
• [Student] will initiate communication with peers or adults at least 3 times per day using verbal language, AAC device, or picture exchange.

Receptive Language:

• [Student] will follow multi-step directions (2-3 steps) without visual or verbal prompts in 80% of opportunities.
• [Student] will respond to questions about a read-aloud or academic content with relevant answers in 75% of opportunities.

Social Interaction Goals

• [Student] will engage in reciprocal play or conversation with a peer for at least 5 minutes during unstructured time in 4 out of 5 opportunities.
• [Student] will identify emotions in themselves and others using a feelings chart or visual supports with 80% accuracy.
• [Student] will greet peers and adults appropriately (verbal greeting, wave, or other socially accepted gesture) in 4 out of 5 opportunities across settings.

Behavior and Self-Regulation Goals

• [Student] will use a visual schedule to independently transition between activities with no more than 1 verbal prompt in 80% of transitions.
• When experiencing sensory overload, [Student] will request a break using a taught strategy (break card, verbal request, gesture) in 4 out of 5 instances.
• [Student] will tolerate changes in routine without behavioral escalation when provided with a visual or verbal warning in 80% of observed schedule changes.

Academic Goals

Academic goals for students with autism should be individualized based on present levels. Use the same frameworks as general education IEP goals but with appropriate modifications for the student's learning style.

Collaboration with the Team

IEP goals for students with autism should be developed collaboratively with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, behavior analysts, and families. Use the IEP goal generator for drafting and then refine with team input.