Overview
Educators and administrators may have low expectations of what kids with disabilities can accomplish. Learn how to change that mindset with strength-based IEPs, which focus on and utilize the skills our kids already have. IEP goals prioritize the skills that each child needs to learn to progress through the school year, and they should be developed with the student's long-term goals in mind. Here’s how to write appropriately challenging goals in an IEP, starting from their strengths.
How and why should I write IEP goals?
You're probably wondering why writing IEP goals should fall to you; it's the teachers and therapists who should be doing this, after all, and they will. However, you know your child best, so you can help the IEP team build goals based on your child’s unique strengths. Goals are one of the most important parts of a student’s IEP, and they also happen to be among the most intimidating. Don’t let them be! Start by identifying the skills you want your child to learn. Then consider the supports that will be necessary for them to make progress toward learning that skill as well as how to measure their progress. Check out our article A Parent's Guide to IEP Goals for a step-by-step guide to help you prepare appropriately challenging goals for your child that you can discuss with your IEP team. 
