12 IEP Goals for Nonverbal Students & AAC Users

Quick Answer

IEP goals for nonverbal students and AAC users should target functional communication using their specific device or system — requesting items, answering yes/no questions, and building symbol vocabulary — always measured in the modality the student actually uses, not verbal speech.

For students who are nonverbal or use an AAC device, goals must be written around their actual communication modality — never assume verbal speech is the target unless that's the documented long-term goal. These 12 goals cover the core functional communication skills most IEP teams target with AAC users.

Requesting with AAC

  1. 1.By [date], [student] will use their AAC device to request a preferred item or activity in 4 of 5 observed opportunities, as measured by SLP data.
  2. 2.By [date], [student] will navigate to a target page on their AAC device to make a 2-symbol request in 4 of 5 opportunities.
  3. 3.By [date], [student] will use their AAC device to request a break or help when needed in 4 of 5 observed opportunities.

Responding & Answering

  1. 1.By [date], [student] will answer yes/no questions using their AAC device or a consistent gesture with 85% accuracy across 4 of 5 trials.
  2. 2.By [date], [student] will select the correct answer to a simple 'wh-' question from 2-3 field choices on their AAC device with 80% accuracy in 4 of 5 trials.
  3. 3.By [date], [student] will greet a familiar adult or peer using their AAC device or gesture system in 4 of 5 observed opportunities.

Symbol & Vocabulary Growth

  1. 1.By [date], [student] will independently locate 10 new core vocabulary symbols on their AAC device with 80% accuracy across 4 of 5 trials.
  2. 2.By [date], [student] will combine 2 symbols to form a simple message (e.g., 'want more') in 4 of 5 observed opportunities.
  3. 3.By [date], [student] will use their AAC device to comment on an activity (not just request) in 3 of 4 observed opportunities.

Social Communication

  1. 1.By [date], [student] will initiate an interaction with a peer using their AAC device in 3 of 4 observed opportunities across 2 settings.
  2. 2.By [date], [student] will take a communication turn in a structured activity using their AAC device with no more than 1 prompt in 4 of 5 opportunities.
  3. 3.By [date], [student] will use their AAC device to indicate a preference between 2 choices in 4 of 5 observed opportunities.

Coordinating with the AAC Team

Goals for nonverbal students and AAC users work best when written jointly with the speech-language pathologist and, if the student uses a dedicated device, the AAC vendor or consultant. Classroom staff need to know the exact device layout and vocabulary the student is working on so they can prompt consistently across settings, not just during speech sessions.

Need goals customized to your student?

Paste your assessment data and generate an IDEA-compliant, individualized goal in seconds.

Try it free →

Related Reading

Payment didn't go through, or charged but no access? Email support@iepgoalwriter.pro — we'll sort it out or refund you.