Skip to main content

Can IEP Goals Include Social and Emotional Skills?

IEP goals can and should include social and emotional skills if these areas are affecting your child's learning. Understanding how to incorporate these goals effectively can help your child thrive both academically and socially.

Author
S.S. Education Advocacy Team
Reading time
5 min read
Last updated
Updated June 30, 2026
Topic
Goals · Writing strong goals

Importance of Social and Emotional Skills

Social and emotional skills are crucial for a child's overall development and success in school. These skills include understanding and managing emotions, setting positive goals, showing empathy for others, maintaining positive relationships, and making responsible decisions.

When children struggle with these skills, it can impact their ability to learn and interact with peers and teachers. Including social and emotional goals in an IEP can help address these challenges and support a child's academic and personal growth.

Legal Basis for Including Social and Emotional Goals

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) supports the inclusion of social and emotional goals in an IEP. The law requires that the IEP be tailored to meet the unique needs of the child, which can include social and emotional development if these areas affect the child's ability to learn.

While IDEA does not explicitly mention social-emotional skills, the requirement for a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) means addressing all areas that impact educational performance, including social and emotional challenges.

Identifying Social and Emotional Needs

To include social and emotional goals in an IEP, it's essential first to identify your child's specific needs. This can be done through observations, assessments, and input from teachers, parents, and specialists.

Look for signs such as difficulty making friends, managing emotions, or coping with stress. These observations can help in crafting specific, measurable goals that address these needs.

Writing Effective Social and Emotional Goals

Effective IEP goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). For social and emotional skills, this might include goals like improving peer interactions, managing anxiety, or increasing emotional regulation.

For example, a goal could be: "By the end of the semester, [Child's Name] will demonstrate the ability to identify and express emotions in appropriate ways in 4 out of 5 observed situations."

Collaborating with the IEP Team

Work closely with the IEP team to ensure that social and emotional goals are included and effectively addressed. This collaboration should involve teachers, school psychologists, and any other relevant professionals.

Discuss potential strategies and interventions that can support your child's social and emotional development, such as social skills groups, counseling, or specific classroom accommodations.

Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Goals

Regularly monitor your child's progress on social and emotional goals and adjust as necessary. Progress should be reviewed at least annually, but more frequent check-ins can be beneficial.

If a goal is not being met, discuss with the IEP team whether the goal needs to be adjusted or if additional supports are required.

Practical tips

  • Request assessments if you suspect social or emotional challenges.
  • Use SMART criteria to write clear and measurable goals.
  • Regularly communicate with teachers about your child's progress.
  • Be proactive in suggesting strategies or interventions to the IEP team.
  • Ensure goals are reviewed and adjusted as needed during IEP meetings.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Overlooking social and emotional needs in the IEP.
  • Writing vague or unmeasurable goals.
  • Failing to involve the child in goal setting when appropriate.
  • Not regularly reviewing and updating goals based on progress.

Frequently asked questions

Can social skills be part of an IEP?
Yes, social skills can be included if they impact your child's learning or school experience.
How do I know if my child needs social-emotional goals?
Look for difficulties in making friends, managing emotions, or handling stress, and discuss these with the IEP team.
What are examples of social-emotional goals?
Examples include improving peer interactions, managing anxiety, or increasing emotional regulation.
How often should social-emotional goals be reviewed?
They should be reviewed at least annually, but more frequent reviews can be beneficial.
Who can help develop social-emotional goals?
Teachers, school psychologists, and other relevant professionals can assist in developing these goals.

Sharing helps other parents—your child's plan needs your documents

Guides are general. Upload the IEP to get questions and next steps for your family.

Start free for 7 daysHow it works

No credit card requiredNot a law firmYour files stay private

Turn this into clearer goals for your child

Upload your child's IEP. Get plain-language clarity, meeting prep, and next steps personalized to your documents—free for 7 days.

Start free for 7 days

No credit card requiredNot a law firmYour files stay private

How it works

Apply this to your child's IEP — free for 7 days.

Start free