Smart Goals

W4 Discussion Question 1: SMART Goals

Purpose: This discussion builds clinical reasoning and treatment planning skills aligned with ASHA Standard IV-D. You will apply principles of prevention, assessment, and intervention for communication and swallowing disorders, with a focus on how anatomical, physiological, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural factors shape clinical decisions. You will also begin practicing how to formulate measurable goals to support effective intervention planning.

Initial Post (due Friday by 11:59 pm CST): After completing this weeks readings and resources, take time to reflect on what you have learned about clinical methods in speech-language pathology. Consider how these ideas connect to your future work with clients.

In your initial post, write three SMART goals to support your growth in the following areas:

• Building skills in prevention, assessment, or intervention
• Increasing awareness of client diversity (e.g., cultural, linguistic, or developmental differences)
• Developing your clinical thinking and professional practice

Each SMART goal should:

• Be clearly labeled with its five components: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound
• Include an explanation (minimum of 100 words) that connects each goal to this weeks course content and explains how it will support your learning and development as a future clinician

Remember to follow the . Use the for in-text citations and include a minimum of 2 references from .