A 50-point gain in 12 weeks is ambitious. If the baseline was taken on a good day, this goal will read as a failure at review even if the child improves. Consider a smaller target reviewed sooner.
GOAL By the end of 12 weeks, the child will use two-word phrases to request preferred items with a visual cue, in at least 80% of 10 opportunities during structured speech therapy sessions, across 3 consecutive sessions. BASELINE As of today, the child performs this skill in approximately 30% of 10 opportunities during structured speech therapy sessions. HOW IT WILL BE MEASURED Therapist tally of successful versus total opportunities, recorded every session. Progress reviewed against baseline at the 6-week midpoint and again at 12 weeks. MASTERY CRITERION 80% or above across 3 consecutive sessions, maintained without an increase in prompt level. WHY THIS IS A SMART GOAL Specific — names the skill, the support level and the setting. Measurable — 30% now, 80% target, counted the same way each session. Achievable — a 50 point gain over 12 weeks. Relevant — targeted to the child's current level, not the age norm. Time-bound — reviewed at 12 weeks with a midpoint check.
A goal is only measurable if the same person, counting the same way, would get the same number next week. That means naming the support level and the number of opportunities, not just the percentage.
The mastery criterion asks for consecutive sessions so a single good day cannot close a goal.
On target size: a jump of more than about 40 points in a term is usually a sign the baseline was measured on a good day. Smaller goals reviewed more often beat one ambitious goal reviewed at the end of the year.
This is a drafting aid, not clinical advice. The therapist who knows the child decides whether the target is right.
This calculator gives you a snapshot. TheraFlow gives you the live number — utilisation, no-shows, expiring packages and unbilled sessions, updated as your centre runs.