When it comes to helping autistic students thrive in school and beyond, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) can make all the difference. Think of it as a personalized roadmap that highlights each student’s strengths, addresses their challenges, and focuses on what they need to grow.

With the right IEP goals, educators can set students up for success—not just in academics, but in building social connections, managing sensory sensitivities, and gaining independence. These goals aren’t just boxes to check; they’re stepping stones to help students achieve immediate milestones like developing self-regulation or acquiring daily life skills while also preparing them for the future.

1. Social Skills

Social skills goals in an IEP for autistic students are designed to help them interact effectively with peers and adults in diverse settings.

These goals target critical social competencies, such as:

• initiating conversations,
• understanding social cues,
• sharing, taking turns, and
• participating in group activities.

Social skills IEP goals also nurture emotional awareness and empathy, which in turn help students better manage social interactions and contribute to a positive, inclusive classroom environment.

IEP Autism Examples for Social Skills

• “[Student] will initiate a conversation with a peer during recess or free time at least once per day, observed by staff.”
• “[Student] will actively participate in a small group activity for 10 minutes, three times a week, with teacher support.”
• “[Students] will identify and interpret at least three facial expressions or gestures by peers in structured activities, four out of five times.”
• “[Students] will practice taking turns during games or structured activities with minimal prompts two times per week.”
• “[Students] will engage in cooperative play activities, such as sharing toys, for at least five minutes twice a week.”
• “[Students] will join a peer-led activity, like a board game, at least twice a week with minimal support.”
• “[Student] will use verbal or visual prompts to resolve minor conflicts with peers during structured play activities, in 3 out of 4 situations.”

2. Communication Skills

Communication skills goals in an IEP for students with autism aim to support effective expression and comprehension; these skills are critical for academic and social engagement.

These goals often address a range of communication methods, including verbal language, alternative communication systems (e.g., AAC devices or sign language), and nonverbal cues.

With strong communication skills, students are able to self-advocate, manage social interactions, and achieve greater independence in daily routines.

For Students with Autism: IEP Goal Examples for Communication Skills

• “[Student] will verbally or using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), express basic needs and wants, such as requesting food or bathroom, in 4 out of 5 instances.”
• “[Student] will respond to ‘wh-’ questions (who, what, where, why) with 80% accuracy in structured classroom discussions.”
• “[Student] will follow two-step instructions (e.g., ‘Pick up your book and put it on the table’) with 90% accuracy.”
• “[Students] will learn and correctly use five new vocabulary words related to current classroom topics every month.”
• “[Student] will independently contribute at least one comment during group discussions, four times a week.”
• “[Students] will greet or say goodbye to peers and teachers appropriately, in 4 out of 5 opportunities each day.”
• “[Students] will use agreed-upon gestures or signs to communicate when feeling overwhelmed, in 3 out of 4 observed situations.”

3. Self Regulation & Sensory Needs Goals

IEP goals for self-regulation and sensory needs help autistic students develop strategies to manage emotions, cope with sensory sensitivities, and navigate challenging environments.

Many autistic students experience heightened responses to sensory stimuli, such as loud sounds, bright lights, or physical touch, which can impact their ability to focus, engage, and feel secure in a learning environment.

These goals help students recognize their emotional states, understand triggers, and implement calming strategies like deep breathing, using sensory tools, or taking movement breaks.

IEP Goals for Students with Autism: Examples for Self Regulation & Sensory Needs

• “[Students] will identify and label their own emotions, using a visual aid or emotion chart, in 4 out of 5 observed situations.”
• “[Students] will use a self-selected calming technique, like deep breathing or fidget tools, when feeling stressed, with 80% consistency.”
• “[Students] will take sensory breaks independently when needed, at least twice per day, using a visual or verbal prompt as needed.”
• “[Student] will independently use noise-canceling headphones in noisy environments when prompted, with 90% consistency.”
• “[Students] will independently request a break when feeling overwhelmed during activities, with minimal prompting, in 4 out of 5 opportunities.”
• “[Students] will follow a visual schedule for transitioning between activities with 80% accuracy throughout the school day.”
• “[Students] will self-soothe by engaging in a sensory activity (e.g., squeezing a stress ball) when feeling anxious, observed in 3 out of 4 situations.”

4. Academic Skills Goals

Academic goals are tailored to support learning in core subjects like reading, math, and writing while accommodating each student’s unique learning style and pace.

These IEP goals for students with Autism often focus on fundamental skills such as–comprehension, problem-solving, task completion, and organization–structured to build a strong academic foundation that supports the student's cognitive development.

IEP Autism Examples for Academic Skills Goals

• “[Student] will answer comprehension questions about a grade-level text with 80% accuracy in weekly reading sessions.”
• “[Student] will complete addition and subtraction problems with numbers 1-20 independently, in 4 out of 5 practice sessions.”
• “[Student] will independently write a five-word sentence about a topic, four days per week.”
• “[Student] will identify the main idea of a short paragraph in 4 out of 5 readings.”
• “[Student] will complete tasks following a two-step written instruction with 80% accuracy.”
• “[Student] will contribute at least one idea or action during group academic projects weekly.”
• “[Students] will use a tablet or other assistive technology to complete math or reading activities independently, four times per week.”

5. Life Skills & Independence Goals

Life skills and independence IEP goals for autistic students cultivate essential daily living abilities that promote autonomy, confidence, and real-world readiness.

These IEP objectives focus on practical skills such as self-care, organization, time management, and routine following. With these skills, students with autism can  navigate school and home environments more independently..

Life Skills & Independence: IEP Goal Examples for Students with Autism

• “[Students] will independently organize and put away personal belongings at the start and end of each day, with 90% consistency.”
• “[Students] will independently follow a visual schedule for daily activities with minimal assistance in 4 out of 5 school days.”
• “[Student] will wash hands independently after using the restroom, achieving this in 4 out of 5 opportunities.”
• “[Student] will independently guide from one classroom to another with verbal or visual prompts as needed, four times per day.”
• “[Students] will independently pack up materials and personal items at the end of the day with 90% accuracy.
• “[Student] will independently complete a morning routine, including placing belongings in the correct place, with 80% consistency.”
• “[Students] will identify and respond to basic safety signs (e.g., exit, restroom) in the school environment, with 90% accuracy.