What the diagnosis changes—and what it does not
Goals should be concrete, functional, and ambitious enough to support real growth while accounting for processing speed, memory, language, and motor needs.
Communication goals should protect access, autonomy, and relationship. They should specify the communication mode that works for the student, including speech, signs, gestures, AAC, writing, or a combination.
Does the goal build toward participation and independence?
Does it include prompt fading or generalization?
Does the team explain why the target is challenging but realistic?
Communication goal examples by grade band
The four bands below replace sixteen thin grade pages. They make the developmental change visible in one place while keeping the baseline, support level, and measurement method attached to every example.
Preschool through 2nd grade
Early Elementary (PreK–2nd Grade)
At this stage, children are building the foundational skills they'll use for the rest of their education. IEP goals should focus on concrete, observable behaviors using hands-on materials, visual supports, and structured routines. It's normal for young learners to need more adult support — the key is systematically fading that support as skills develop.
Parent lens
If your child is struggling now, ask the team to review the data and consider timely, evidence-based support rather than relying only on a 'wait and see' approach.
Example to rewrite
Request a desired item or activity using a word, sign, picture card, or AAC device without physical prompting
- Baseline to add
- the child's current communication mode, prompt level, and success across familiar and unfamiliar partners
- Measure with
- speech-language data by communication function, partner, setting, and prompt level
- Ask the team
- Is the goal written around the student's most effective communication mode?
Example to rewrite
Respond to a greeting from a familiar adult or peer with a verbal or gestural greeting within 3 seconds
- Baseline to add
- which functions are hard: requesting, rejecting, commenting, asking for help, repairing misunderstandings, or social conversation
- Measure with
- AAC logs or classroom observations showing spontaneous use, not only prompted trials
- Ask the team
- How will progress be measured in class and peer settings, not only therapy?
Example to rewrite
Follow a one-step verbal direction in the classroom within 5 seconds of the instruction being given
- Baseline to add
- whether communication breaks down because of language, articulation, fluency, hearing access, anxiety, or processing time
- Measure with
- samples from academic and social settings so the skill is not limited to therapy
- Ask the team
- Does the goal increase independence and access rather than forcing one communication style?
Example to rewrite
Name at least 20 common objects (food, clothing, animals, classroom items) when shown the real item or picture
- Baseline to add
- the child's current communication mode, prompt level, and success across familiar and unfamiliar partners
- Measure with
- speech-language data by communication function, partner, setting, and prompt level
- Ask the team
- Is the goal written around the student's most effective communication mode?
Example to rewrite
Use two-word or three-word phrases to comment on an activity (e.g., 'big truck,' 'I want more')
- Baseline to add
- which functions are hard: requesting, rejecting, commenting, asking for help, repairing misunderstandings, or social conversation
- Measure with
- AAC logs or classroom observations showing spontaneous use, not only prompted trials
- Ask the team
- How will progress be measured in class and peer settings, not only therapy?
Example to rewrite
Attend to a speaker by orienting body and eyes toward them for at least 30 seconds during a shared activity
- Baseline to add
- whether communication breaks down because of language, articulation, fluency, hearing access, anxiety, or processing time
- Measure with
- samples from academic and social settings so the skill is not limited to therapy
- Ask the team
- Does the goal increase independence and access rather than forcing one communication style?
3rd through 5th grade
Upper Elementary (3rd–5th Grade)
Third through fifth grade marks a critical shift: students move from 'learning to read' to 'reading to learn,' and academic demands increase sharply. Students with disabilities often hit a 'wall' during these years as the gap between their abilities and grade-level expectations widens. IEP goals should bridge this gap with explicit instruction in strategies — not just content.
Parent lens
This is when some teams start discussing less support. They may point to passing grades while overlooking that the student is succeeding because of accommodations under review. Ask the team to review growth against grade-level standards and documented needs, not lowered expectations.
Example to rewrite
Initiate a conversation with a peer by making a comment or asking a question related to the current context
- Baseline to add
- the child's current communication mode, prompt level, and success across familiar and unfamiliar partners
- Measure with
- speech-language data by communication function, partner, setting, and prompt level
- Ask the team
- Is the goal written around the student's most effective communication mode?
Example to rewrite
Maintain a topic during a conversation for at least four conversational turns without going off-topic
- Baseline to add
- which functions are hard: requesting, rejecting, commenting, asking for help, repairing misunderstandings, or social conversation
- Measure with
- AAC logs or classroom observations showing spontaneous use, not only prompted trials
- Ask the team
- How will progress be measured in class and peer settings, not only therapy?
Example to rewrite
Follow two- and three-step oral directions in the classroom without needing repetition
- Baseline to add
- whether communication breaks down because of language, articulation, fluency, hearing access, anxiety, or processing time
- Measure with
- samples from academic and social settings so the skill is not limited to therapy
- Ask the team
- Does the goal increase independence and access rather than forcing one communication style?
Example to rewrite
Use complete sentences (5+ words) to describe a personal experience with logical sequencing
- Baseline to add
- the child's current communication mode, prompt level, and success across familiar and unfamiliar partners
- Measure with
- speech-language data by communication function, partner, setting, and prompt level
- Ask the team
- Is the goal written around the student's most effective communication mode?
Example to rewrite
Ask for help or clarification using specific language ('I don't understand step 2' rather than 'I don't get it')
- Baseline to add
- which functions are hard: requesting, rejecting, commenting, asking for help, repairing misunderstandings, or social conversation
- Measure with
- AAC logs or classroom observations showing spontaneous use, not only prompted trials
- Ask the team
- How will progress be measured in class and peer settings, not only therapy?
Example to rewrite
Increase expressive vocabulary by correctly using 5 new curriculum-related words per week in spoken or written responses
- Baseline to add
- whether communication breaks down because of language, articulation, fluency, hearing access, anxiety, or processing time
- Measure with
- samples from academic and social settings so the skill is not limited to therapy
- Ask the team
- Does the goal increase independence and access rather than forcing one communication style?
6th through 8th grade
Middle School (6th–8th Grade)
Middle school introduces a fundamentally different structure: multiple teachers, rotating classes, heavier homework loads, and increased social pressure. Executive functioning demands rise sharply. IEP goals may need to teach organizational, self-advocacy, and self-regulation skills explicitly, and service decisions should account for the new demands.
Parent lens
Middle school is a common point where students with disabilities begin to struggle academically. If your child was doing well in elementary with support, ask the team to consider the increased demands before reducing services.
Example to rewrite
Participate in a class discussion by contributing at least one relevant comment or question per session
- Baseline to add
- the child's current communication mode, prompt level, and success across familiar and unfamiliar partners
- Measure with
- speech-language data by communication function, partner, setting, and prompt level
- Ask the team
- Is the goal written around the student's most effective communication mode?
Example to rewrite
Differentiate between literal and figurative language (sarcasm, idioms, hyperbole) and respond appropriately in context
- Baseline to add
- which functions are hard: requesting, rejecting, commenting, asking for help, repairing misunderstandings, or social conversation
- Measure with
- AAC logs or classroom observations showing spontaneous use, not only prompted trials
- Ask the team
- How will progress be measured in class and peer settings, not only therapy?
Example to rewrite
Deliver a short oral presentation (2–3 minutes) to peers using organized notes and appropriate eye contact
- Baseline to add
- whether communication breaks down because of language, articulation, fluency, hearing access, anxiety, or processing time
- Measure with
- samples from academic and social settings so the skill is not limited to therapy
- Ask the team
- Does the goal increase independence and access rather than forcing one communication style?
Example to rewrite
Use context clues and word analysis to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words encountered in conversation and text
- Baseline to add
- the child's current communication mode, prompt level, and success across familiar and unfamiliar partners
- Measure with
- speech-language data by communication function, partner, setting, and prompt level
- Ask the team
- Is the goal written around the student's most effective communication mode?
Example to rewrite
Recognize and repair a communication breakdown by asking for clarification, rephrasing, or using visual supports
- Baseline to add
- which functions are hard: requesting, rejecting, commenting, asking for help, repairing misunderstandings, or social conversation
- Measure with
- AAC logs or classroom observations showing spontaneous use, not only prompted trials
- Ask the team
- How will progress be measured in class and peer settings, not only therapy?
Example to rewrite
Demonstrate active listening skills (paraphrasing, nodding, asking follow-up questions) during a peer or adult interaction
- Baseline to add
- whether communication breaks down because of language, articulation, fluency, hearing access, anxiety, or processing time
- Measure with
- samples from academic and social settings so the skill is not limited to therapy
- Ask the team
- Does the goal increase independence and access rather than forcing one communication style?
9th through 12th grade
High School (9th–12th Grade)
High school IEP goals should serve a dual purpose: supporting academic success AND building skills for life after graduation. Federal rules generally call for transition planning beginning by age 16 (or earlier in some states), but teams sometimes under-document it. Goals should explicitly connect to post-secondary outcomes — whether that's college, vocational training, employment, or independent living.
Parent lens
Start transition planning EARLY — don't wait until senior year. By 9th grade, your child's IEP should include goals that build real-world skills. Graduation can change eligibility and service obligations, so review readiness carefully. Your child may remain eligible for a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) through age 21 in some circumstances if they haven't earned a regular diploma.
Example to rewrite
Conduct a mock job interview demonstrating appropriate greetings, eye contact, responses to common questions, and closing
- Baseline to add
- the child's current communication mode, prompt level, and success across familiar and unfamiliar partners
- Measure with
- speech-language data by communication function, partner, setting, and prompt level
- Ask the team
- Is the goal written around the student's most effective communication mode?
Example to rewrite
Explain a personal disability, learning needs, and required accommodations to a new teacher, employer, or professor
- Baseline to add
- which functions are hard: requesting, rejecting, commenting, asking for help, repairing misunderstandings, or social conversation
- Measure with
- AAC logs or classroom observations showing spontaneous use, not only prompted trials
- Ask the team
- How will progress be measured in class and peer settings, not only therapy?
Example to rewrite
Engage in collaborative problem-solving with a group by contributing ideas, listening to others, and negotiating solutions
- Baseline to add
- whether communication breaks down because of language, articulation, fluency, hearing access, anxiety, or processing time
- Measure with
- samples from academic and social settings so the skill is not limited to therapy
- Ask the team
- Does the goal increase independence and access rather than forcing one communication style?
Example to rewrite
Comprehend and respond to complex multi-step directions in vocational, classroom, and community settings
- Baseline to add
- the child's current communication mode, prompt level, and success across familiar and unfamiliar partners
- Measure with
- speech-language data by communication function, partner, setting, and prompt level
- Ask the team
- Is the goal written around the student's most effective communication mode?
Example to rewrite
Use professional and academic register (formal language) when speaking with authority figures versus casual register with peers
- Baseline to add
- which functions are hard: requesting, rejecting, commenting, asking for help, repairing misunderstandings, or social conversation
- Measure with
- AAC logs or classroom observations showing spontaneous use, not only prompted trials
- Ask the team
- How will progress be measured in class and peer settings, not only therapy?
Example to rewrite
Deliver a 5-minute presentation on a researched topic with visual supports, demonstrating organized structure and audience awareness
- Baseline to add
- whether communication breaks down because of language, articulation, fluency, hearing access, anxiety, or processing time
- Measure with
- samples from academic and social settings so the skill is not limited to therapy
- Ask the team
- Does the goal increase independence and access rather than forcing one communication style?
Bring the record that makes the goal real
School and evaluation evidence
- task-analysis data, work samples, and notes about prompts that help
- examples of skills your child uses at home, in the community, or with peers
- speech, OT, adaptive, or academic data that shows strengths and support needs
- speech-language data by communication function, partner, setting, and prompt level
- AAC logs or classroom observations showing spontaneous use, not only prompted trials
- samples from academic and social settings so the skill is not limited to therapy
Family and student evidence
- phrases, signs, AAC pages, or strategies your child uses successfully at home
- examples of misunderstandings, frustration, or missed access when communication support is not available
- notes about which partners, settings, or sensory conditions make communication easier or harder
Watch for this
A communication goal should not reward masking or one narrow communication style. It should help the child be understood and participate.
Specific questions families ask about this goal area
Down syndrome communication IEP goals
Down Syndrome Communication IEP Goals for 5th Grade
Down syndrome communication goals should be individualized around the student's language, AAC or visual supports, classroom participation, and peer interaction. The goal should keep expectations high while naming the support needed for access.
“Can the team write this communication goal around how my child actually communicates and where they need more access during the school day?”
Frequently asked questions
What should Down syndrome communication IEP goals include?
Down syndrome communication IEP goals should include the student's baseline, the specific skill being taught, the support or condition for measurement, the target, and how progress will be reported to the family.
Can I copy these Down syndrome communication IEP goals examples into my child's IEP?
Use examples as structure, not copy-paste language. The IEP team still needs to individualize the goal from the student's present levels, evaluation data, classroom needs, and services.
What should I ask if the goal looks generic?
Ask for the baseline data, the specific skill, the support level, and the progress-monitoring method. You can say: "Can the team write this communication goal around how my child actually communicates and where they need more access during the school day?"
What should Communication IEP goals for Down Syndrome include?
Start with the student's present level, then name the exact communication skill, the condition or support used during measurement, the measurable target, the data-collection method, and when progress will be reported. A goal can be too low if it only repeats mastered routines, or too broad if it skips the concrete steps needed for success.
Do Communication goals change by grade for a student with Down Syndrome?
The core measurement rules stay the same, but classroom demands, independence, communication, workload, and transition expectations change. Use the four grade-band sections on this page to compare developmental demands without treating a grade label as the baseline.
Can I copy these Communication goal examples into an IEP?
Use the examples to identify structure and questions, not as finished goals. The IEP team still needs to individualize the goal from current evaluation data, present levels, services, accommodations, student input, and family priorities.
What should I ask when an IEP goal looks generic?
Ask: “What baseline data shows this is the right communication skill, what support was used during measurement, and how will the family see progress before the next annual review?”
How should progress be measured for Communication when the student has Down Syndrome?
Use a consistent measurement method and record the setting, prompt level, accommodations, assistive technology, communication mode, and instruction provided. Helpful evidence can include speech-language data by communication function, partner, setting, and prompt level and AAC logs or classroom observations showing spontaneous use, not only prompted trials.
Sources and review note
Reviewed by Mary, special education advocate. Last reviewed 2026-07-17. These sources explain federal goal structure and parent questions; they do not decide an individual student's services or replace current state guidance.