Writing effective and measurable IEP goals can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. As occupational therapists, we know what our students need, but putting it into words that meet SMART goal criteria—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—takes time and careful thought.
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blank screen, struggling to write a goal that truly captures a student’s needs, you’re not alone! AI tools like ChatGPT can help streamline the process, saving time while still allowing you to customize goals for individual students.
Keeping Student Information Confidential
Before jumping in, remember that confidentiality is critical. Never input any personally identifiable student information or school-specific details into ChatGPT. Keep your prompts general, using placeholders like “[student]” or “[grade level]” instead of actual names or identifying details.
For example, instead of typing: “Write a handwriting goal for John Smith, a second grader at XYZ Elementary who has difficulty with letter sizing.” Try: “Write a handwriting goal for a second-grade student who has difficulty with letter sizing.”
Why Use ChatGPT for IEP Goals?
ChatGPT won’t replace your clinical expertise, but it can be a useful brainstorming tool to help you quickly generate goal ideas that you can tweak and personalize. Here are a few reasons to give it a try:
✅ Saves Time: Instead of starting from scratch, you can generate a draft goal in seconds and refine it as needed.
✅ Ensures Measurability: AI-generated goals often include clear criteria for tracking progress.
✅ Reduces Mental Load: When you’re writing multiple IEPs, AI can help prevent writer’s block.
✅ Provides Inspiration: If you’re stuck on wording or need fresh ideas, ChatGPT can offer suggestions.
Getting Started: A Simple Prompt for OT IEP Goals
If you want ChatGPT to help generate an IEP goal, try using this simple prompt:
“Create a SMART IEP goal for a [grade-level] student working on [specific skill area]. Include measurable criteria and a timeframe.”
You can adjust this based on the student’s needs and the type of goal you need to write.
Sample Prompts and AI-Generated IEP Goals
Here are three OT-related IEP goal prompts and sample AI-generated responses to get you started:
✍️ Handwriting Goal
Prompt: Create a SMART IEP goal for a 2nd-grade student who struggles with letter formation and spacing when writing sentences.
AI Response: By the end of the IEP period, the student will independently write a five-sentence paragraph using correct letter formation and consistent spacing in 4 out of 5 opportunities, as measured by therapist observation and work samples.
🧠 Executive Function Goal
Prompt: Write an IEP goal for a 4th-grade student who has difficulty planning and completing multi-step classroom assignments independently.
AI Response: By the end of the IEP period, the student will use a visual checklist to independently complete multi-step assignments with 80% accuracy in 3 out of 4 opportunities, as measured by therapist records and student self-assessment.
😌 Self-Regulation Goal
Prompt: Generate an IEP goal for a 1st-grade student who needs support recognizing frustration and using a self-calming strategy before seeking teacher assistance.
AI Response: By the end of the IEP period, the student will independently identify feelings of frustration and use a self-regulation strategy (e.g., deep breathing, counting to 10) in 4 out of 5 situations before seeking teacher assistance, as measured by teacher observation and behavior tracking.
Tips for Refining AI-Generated Goals
While ChatGPT can provide a strong starting point, you’ll still want to review and customize each goal to ensure it aligns with the student’s specific needs. Here’s how:
🔹 Make It Personal: Adjust the wording to reflect the student’s individual strengths and challenges.
🔹 Modify Measurement Criteria: Ensure progress is tracked in a way that fits your data collection methods.
🔹 Align with School Requirements: Check that the goal meets your district’s IEP standards and formatting guidelines.
🔹 Incorporate Preferred Supports: If the student benefits from specific accommodations (e.g., a slant board, weighted pencil), mention them in the goal.
Final Thoughts
Writing IEP goals doesn’t have to be a time-consuming struggle. By using ChatGPT as a brainstorming tool, you can generate well-structured goals faster and focus your energy on what truly matters—helping students succeed.
Have you tried using AI to assist with IEP goal writing or any thing else in your life? Let me know. I’d love to hear your experiences! Contact me at Cindy@CreativeCOTA.com
Looking for more time-saving OT tips and resources? Be sure to follow my store and stay updated on new tools and strategies for school-based practice! Check out these occupational therapy resources.
Cindy@CreativeCOTA LLC
About the Author
I am a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and have been working in a public school system for more than 25 years. My resources can be found on TPT, BOOM Learning, Made by Teachers, Classful, and Your Therapy Source. I appreciate your interest wherever you wish to shop.
My mission is to help you find creative ideas to incorporate fine motor, visual perception, gross motor, and social-emotional learning into your lessons.
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