When it comes to setting goals for your occupational therapy classroom or students, the first thing you should do is ensure that each goal you set is S.M.A.R.T. Not just intelligent, the acronym SMART ensures your goals are more likely to succeed and best benefit the students in your care.

So, What Is a S.M.A.R.T. Goal?

Specific – This means, instead of a blanket statement like “improve daily task functions” you would list out the task, the desired outcome, and the improvements you would like to see the student make.

Measurable – In order for a goal to be measurable, you would want to know exactly what you are trying to improve, and how you can compare it to current abilities. Does the student need to improve their visual perceptual skills, sensory processing, etc? Figure out what exactly you’re working to improve, and by how much, so you can recognize milestones and improvements as they happen.

Achievable – Maybe the most important piece of the S.M.A.R.T. puzzle, making sure your goals are actually achievable is key for them to be successful. Making lofty goals can lead to frustration when they cannot logically come to fruition.

Relevant – Your OT goals should always expressly pertain to what the student needs to accomplish or achieve for their personal and school success. Helping with something or having a goal outside of that exact reason no longer qualifies it as S.M.A.R.T.

Time-bound – In order to measure and ensure your goals are coming to fruition, having a specific time set to them is crucial. Do you want to hit a milestone by winter break, end of school year, three weeks’ time? Make sure you set deadlines so you can accurately measure your goals or prepare for how long it will take next time.

What Is a S.M.A.R.T. Goal in an OT Classroom?

A S.M.A.R.T. goal in an OT classroom could look something like this:
“Help (student name) improve their precise hand movements and coordination to complete activities such as writing, using utensils, or buttoning clothes on their own by the end of September.”
Notice that this goal is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound – the whole acronym is covered.

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