What Types of Goals are Appropriate for Infants and Toddlers?

Goals vary greatly, depending upon the individual levels of development of each child. Goals are to be reexamined every six months with an infant or toddler and revised as necessary.

Physical goals might include those that help with low muscle tone, including posturing and feeding. Physical and occupational therapists may both provide services in this area.

Occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists may contribute  ideas for oral-motor stimulation to help sucking, chewing, and swallowing.

Speech-language pathologists will help with receptive and expressive language goals, working on comprehension of language and means of expression, whether verbally or with augmentative devices (such as pictures, language boards, or signs).

Occupational therapists will help with a variety of sensory issues that face many children with fragile X: sleeping problems, irritability, and over sensitivity to touch , noise, crowded rooms, and certain lights.

Early intervention specialists can help design goals to stimulate early play and cognitive development. 

Social workers and psychologists should be available to help the family cope with the diagnosis and intervention needs.

Gail Harris-Schmidt, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

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