What are example IEP goals to support emotional disability?

IEP goals for students with an ED eligibility category often extend from academic performance to social goals and behavioral regulation. These can include managing emotional regulation, establishing consistent coping mechanisms, implementing learning strategies to improve classroom focus, completing non-desired tasks, and reframing a student’s language when they talk about themselves. Here are examples:

• Makes positive “I” statements about their abilities and character on a consistent basis (e.g., monthly or quarterly).
• Identifies and labels their emotions (such as anger or stress) as they experience them.
• Learns and implements regulatory strategies to support regulatory needs
• Recognizes physical signs of emotional responses (such as a racing heartbeat or sweaty palms).
• Self-advocates by requesting classroom breaks or additional support from educators when needed.
• Builds and maintains positive peer relationships and communicates personal boundaries appropriately.
• Sustains focus and participates in class for a designated period of time (e.g., five minutes) before requesting a break, with the duration gradually increasing.
• Completes previously challenging tasks with appropriate supports.

For more information, see our full article Top IEP Services and Supports for Emotional Disability (ED).