Use early-intervention language for this age
For 15 month old, parents are usually talking about early intervention or an IFSP, not a school IEP. The same functional idea still matters: a goal for imitating sounds should describe what communication looks like, what support is allowed, and where it happens.
Sample goal shape
Given natural routines and appropriate supports, the child will practice imitating sounds for a useful purpose such as requesting, protesting, choosing, commenting, or asking for help across repeated opportunities.
Make the support level explicit
A useful goal states whether the child uses speech, AAC, gestures, visual supports, modeling, choices, wait time, or adult prompts. Without the support level, progress is hard to interpret.
Questions for the team
Ask who will coach the parent, which routines to practice in, how AAC or visual supports will be modeled, and how progress will be measured without pressuring the child.
Related Little Words guides
- IEP SupportTopic hub
- Speech Help for 15-Month-OldsBrowse all 69 articles
- IEP & Early Intervention Speech GoalsBrowse all 144 articles
- 12-month-old speech goals: imitating soundsSame goal, different age
- 15-month-old speech goals: WH questionsMore for 15-Month-Olds
- 15-month-old speech goals: asking questionsMore for 15-Month-Olds
- 15-month-old speech goals: building turn-takingMore for 15-Month-Olds
- 15-month-old speech goals: describing feelingsMore for 15-Month-Olds
- 15-month-old speech goals: two-word phrasesMore for 15-Month-Olds
- 15-month-old speech goals: following directionsMore for 15-Month-Olds
- 15-month-old speech goals: requestingMore for 15-Month-Olds