The New Year often comes with big aspirations, but when it comes to communication development, small, achievable steps are the key to success. Whether you’re a parent supporting your child’s speech progress or an adult working on personal communication skills, setting realistic goals is essential for maintaining motivation and tracking improvement.
Start with Where You Are
The first step is understanding current abilities. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) often conduct thorough assessments to pinpoint specific strengths and challenges. For instance, ASHA emphasizes that individualized goals should align with evidence-based practices and realistic expectations. A baseline not only guides progress but also ensures goals are personalized to your unique situation.
Break It Down
Large goals, like “speak more clearly” or “reduce swallowing challenges,” can feel overwhelming. Instead, try smaller, actionable objectives, such as improving one sound at a time or introducing a new safe swallowing strategy during mealtime. Research highlights that targeted practice, when paired with measurable steps, fosters quicker progress (ASHA, 2021).
Build in Flexibility
Life happens, and setbacks are part of the journey. Plan for adjustments and celebrate small victories along the way. For children, this might mean recognizing the joy of mastering a single word. For adults, it might be successfully navigating a social conversation. Remember, progress doesn’t need to be linear to be meaningful.
Partner with Professionals
One of the most powerful tools for achieving communication goals is a trusted team. SLPs bring expertise in speech, language, and swallowing challenges and can help set meaningful, manageable objectives. Working with professionals ensures your efforts are evidence-based, as ASHA’s guidelines suggest focusing on collaboration between SLPs and caregivers to achieve the best outcomes.
Celebrate Progress
Don’t forget to look back on how far you’ve come! Use progress as a motivator to keep going. After all, New Year’s goals are about improvement, not perfection.
This New Year, let’s make communication growth a journey worth celebrating. If you’re ready to partner with us at SaSS KC, we’re here to help you set and achieve goals tailored to your needs. Let’s make this year one of connection and confidence!
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