Targeted Short-Term Goals with Social Stories: Teaching Skills at Home Practice

When defining a therapeutic goal that can be addressed through a social story, it’s important to shift from the traditional perspective of broad, long-term objectives (such as annual or semi-annual goals) to more targeted, short-term goals. Here’s a practical guide to help you reframe your clinical thinking for working with social stories:

1. Focus on Specific Skill

Identify a specific, observable behavior or skill you want to address.

Example: Instead of “improve social communication,” target “greeting peers during recess.”

2. Make the Goal Measurable

Define how you will measure success. Use observable metrics like frequency, duration, or correctness.

Example: “The child will initiate a greeting with peers in 3 out of 5 recess opportunities.”

3. Set Realistic and Achievable Goals

Choose goals that the child can realistically achieve within a short time frame.

Example: Work on one step of a larger skill, such as making "What can I say when I see my friend in recess?" "For example, I can say 'Hello'"

By thinking of therapeutic goals as small, actionable steps that can be modeled, practiced, and reinforced through a social story, you can create meaningful, impactful interventions that extend beyond the therapy session. Social stories offer a structured yet flexible tool to target short-term objectives effectively, helping children succeed in real-world situations.

Once you've set the short-term goal it is really easy to create the right story that will create an impact!