Crafting SMART Occupational Therapy Goals: A Guide with Examples & Charts

Updated on: July 29, 2025

Introduction

Occupational therapy (OT) empowers individuals—whether children, adults, or seniors—to gain independence in daily life. At the heart of effective OT practice is the creation of meaningful, measurable goals. These goals guide therapy, document progress, and keep both therapists and clients aligned on a shared vision.

In this comprehensive guide, we explore the importance of goal-setting in occupational therapy, explain the SMART framework, and offer examples across different domains such as self-care, fine motor skills, cognitive functioning, and community living. You’ll also find chart suggestions to help document progress and enhance therapy outcomes.

Why Occupational Therapy Goals Matter

Empowerment and Engagement

When clients actively participate in creating their therapy goals, they feel more invested in the outcomes. This increases motivation and makes therapy more personalized.

Structured Intervention and Progress Tracking

Clear goals allow therapists to track measurable progress over time. They provide a roadmap for each session and ensure that treatment remains purposeful.

Collaboration and Continuity

Well-written goals improve communication among therapists, caregivers, teachers, and healthcare professionals. They make it easier to maintain consistency, even when multiple providers are involved.

Types of Goals: Long-Term vs. Short-Term

Occupational therapy goals usually fall into two categories:

• Long-Term Goals (LTGs): These describe the desired outcome after several months of therapy, such as mastering an ADL or returning to work.
• Short-Term Goals (STGs): These are the smaller, measurable steps taken along the way to achieve the LTG. STGs are typically written for a few weeks or a couple of months.

Both goal types are most effective when written using the SMART framework.

Understanding SMART Goals

The SMART framework helps structure goals in a clear and actionable format:

• Specific: Clearly defines what task is being addressed.
• Measurable: Includes criteria that show whether the goal has been met (e.g., frequency, accuracy, duration).
• Attainable: Realistic given the client’s current function and context.
• Relevant: Aligns with the client’s needs and values.
• Time-Based: Has a set deadline or timeframe.

Domains of Occupational Therapy Goals

Occupational therapy covers a wide range of functional areas. Some common goal domains include:

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Tasks like dressing, bathing, grooming, eating, and toileting.
• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): More complex skills like cooking, using transportation, managing medications, and shopping.
• Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Tasks involving coordination, strength, and dexterity (e.g., handwriting, climbing stairs).
• Cognitive and Executive Functioning: Memory, attention, planning, sequencing, and decision-making.
• Sensory Integration and Self-Regulation: Coping strategies, emotional control, and response to sensory stimuli.
• Work or School-Based Activities: Returning to previous job functions or building skills needed for academic success.

Goal Examples: Long-Term and Short-Term

Pediatric Fine Motor

Long-Term Goal:
Child will write their name legibly using an appropriate pencil grasp with 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 trials over six months.

Short-Term Goals:

• Engage in fine motor activities (cutting, tracing) with minimal assistance and 80% accuracy in 4 out of 5 sessions within four weeks.
• Imitate basic lines and shapes using a functional grasp with 80% success within six weeks.

Pediatric Self-Care (Dressing)

Long-Term Goal:
Child will independently dress with fasteners (buttons/zippers) with 90% accuracy in 4 out of 5 trials within six months.

Short-Term Goals:

• Put on pullover shirt with moderate assistance and 80% accuracy within three months.
• Use a sock aid to don socks with 100% accuracy in 4 out of 5 trials within three months.

Adult ADLs

Long-Term Goal:
Client will independently complete bathing and grooming tasks with 95% accuracy in 5 out of 5 trials within six months.

Short-Term Goal:
Vacuum a room using energy conservation strategies and without balance loss in 3 out of 5 trials within three months.

Adult Cognitive + IADL

Long-Term Goal:
Client will safely prepare a hot beverage independently with correct sequence and safety awareness in 5 out of 5 trials over one week within six months.

Short-Term Goal:
Retrieve and organize five preparation items independently in 3 out of 5 trials within three months.

Sensory + Motor Planning

Long-Term Goal:
Child will complete tooth-brushing routine with minimal resistance on 80% of days over two weeks within three months.

Short-Term Goals:

• Walk into the bathroom and access toothbrush/toothpaste with visual cueing in 80% of trials within four weeks.
• Brush teeth for 30 seconds with minimal prompting in 4 out of 5 sessions within six weeks.

Chart Ideas for DocScrib

SMART Goal Tracker Table

Track each goal with columns for domain, description, baseline, criteria, timeframe, and status (not started, in progress, completed).

Domain Distribution Pie Chart

Visualize the percentage of therapy goals targeting different domains: ADLs, IADLs, motor, sensory, cognitive, etc.

Progress Over Time Graph

Use a line graph to track accuracy or independence over time across sessions. Each STG can have its own color-coded line.

Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) Table

Assign numeric values from −2 to +2 to represent the level of achievement for a goal. For example:

• −2: Baseline performance
• 0: Expected outcome
• +2: Exceeds expected performance

Best Practices in Goal Writing

Involve the Client or Caregiver

Clients should help identify which daily activities matter most. Their input ensures relevance and boosts engagement.

Start from Assessment Data

Use baseline measures from evaluations to write goals that reflect where the client is starting and what they can realistically achieve.

Use Measurable Language

Avoid vague phrases like “improve function.” Instead, write goals that can be observed and tracked.

Prioritize Daily Living Tasks

Focus goals on functional tasks that make a meaningful difference in the client’s everyday life.

Review Goals Regularly

Goals may need to be adjusted as the client progresses or if circumstances change.

Example Goal Sets by Population

Pediatric Case: Fine Motor + Sensory

Long-Term Goal:
Maintain attention for 5 minutes during a coloring task in 4 out of 5 sessions within six months.

Short-Term Goal:
Tolerate mild tactile input during seated work for 2 minutes in 4 out of 5 sessions within six weeks.

Long-Term Goal:
Button a two-button shirt independently with 90% accuracy within six months.

Short-Term Goal:
Practice buttoning with therapist support to 80% accuracy within four weeks.

Adult Work Transition: Cognitive + Executive Function

Long-Term Goal:
Complete six hours of job-related tasks with compensatory strategies and no errors within six months.

Short-Term Goal:
Complete three hours of structured tasks independently with no errors within three months.

Geriatric Case: Safe Mobility + ADLs

Long-Term Goal:
Climb ten stairs with handrail support and no rest breaks in 5 days per week within six months.

Short-Term Goal:
Stand from seated in under 5 seconds without assistance in 4 out of 5 trials within eight weeks.

Cultural and Client-Centered Goal Setting

Effective goal-setting must respect cultural preferences and personal values. For example:

• Dressing goals may involve traditional or religious clothing.
• Cooking or meal prep goals may focus on culturally relevant recipes.
• Cognitive and social goals should reflect appropriate behaviors within the client’s community.

Use inclusive language and collaborative discussions to ensure therapy remains client-centered and respectful.

Documentation and Outcome Measurement

Occupational therapy goals not only guide treatment but also support billing and accountability. To document progress:

• Use trial data, observation checklists, and digital tools.
• Apply Goal Attainment Scaling to measure nuanced change.
• Reassess goals regularly to update plans and support discharge.

Implementing Goals Across Caseloads

To manage therapy goals at scale:

1. Collect detailed baseline data during assessment.
2. Use collaborative interviews to establish what matters most to the client.
3. Write one LTG supported by two to four STGs per domain.
4. Document progress each session using checklists or templates.
5. Use visual dashboards or tables to monitor and review progress monthly.
6. Update or revise goals based on reassessment and client feedback.

Summary and Key Takeaways

• Occupational therapy goals provide structure, direction, and measurable outcomes.
• The SMART framework ensures goals are clear and actionable.
• Goals span functional areas like self-care, mobility, cognition, sensory, and work.
• Involving clients in goal-setting improves motivation and relevance.
• Visual tools like trackers, charts, and goal scales enhance understanding and documentation.
• Regular reviews and updates ensure goals stay aligned with the client’s evolving needs.

Achieve meaningful progress with personalized occupational therapy goals tailored to your daily life.
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