New Year, New Communication Goals: How SLP’s can help create meaningful change
The start of a new year often brings reflection, motivation, and goal setting. Many people think about improving physical health, routines, or productivity—but communication, executive functioning, and swallowing health are just as essential to quality of life. January is an ideal time to pause, reassess, and ask an important question:
Are my communication needs—or those of my child or loved one—being fully supported?
Speech-language therapy is not only about fixing speech sounds or completing exercises. It is about supporting meaningful participation in daily life, whether that means having conversations, eating safely, succeeding in school, or maintaining independence after illness or injury.
Why January Is the Perfect Time to Reassess Communication Needs
The beginning of the year naturally lends itself to fresh perspectives and proactive planning. For many individuals, communication challenges develop gradually and can be easy to normalize or overlook. Others may have received therapy in the past but are unsure whether continued services are still needed.
January is a particularly strong time to:
Revisit concerns that were previously “put on hold”
Reassess progress after medical events such as stroke, surgery, or illness
Evaluate whether current therapy goals still align with real-life needs
Establish proactive supports before challenges worsen
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained to assess not just skills, but how communication, executive functioning, and swallowing impact daily functioning.
What Do “Functional Communication Goals” Mean?
In modern speech-language pathology, goal setting is increasingly focused on functional outcomes, not isolated tasks. Functional goals are meaningful, individualized, and directly connected to daily activities.
Examples include:
Participating more confidently in conversations with family or coworkers
Communicating wants, needs, or opinions more effectively
Supporting classroom success through language and executive function skills
Improving speech clarity so others understand more easily
Eating and drinking safely and comfortably
Reducing frustration, fatigue, or avoidance related to communication
This approach is especially important for individuals with neurological conditions, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, dementia, or progressive disorders, as well as children with speech, language, or social communication differences.
Adults: When to Consider a Speech or Swallowing Reassessment
Adults often assume speech therapy is only helpful immediately after an injury or diagnosis. In reality, communication needs change over time, and reassessment can be valuable months—or even years—later.
You may benefit from a speech-language evaluation if you or a loved one notices:
Increased difficulty finding words or expressing thoughts
Changes in voice, volume, or speech clarity
Difficulty swallowing, coughing with meals, or avoiding certain foods
Trouble keeping up in conversations or social settings
Memory, attention, or problem-solving challenges affecting communication
Increased frustration or withdrawal related to communication
A new year is a meaningful time to ask whether current supports are still meeting real-life demands.
Children: Starting the Year With Strong Communication Support
For children, communication skills are closely tied to learning, social development, and emotional well-being. January is a natural checkpoint to evaluate how a child is managing academic and social expectations as routines settle after the holidays.
Parents may consider speech-language support if they notice:
Difficulty following directions or understanding language
Challenges expressing ideas, telling stories, or asking for help
Speech sound errors that impact intelligibility
Social communication difficulties with peers
Struggles with attention, organization, or classroom participation, “being unorganized or forgetful”
Early and appropriately targeted intervention can make a significant difference—not only academically, but in confidence and participation.
Goal Setting That Goes Beyond “Fixing” Speech
Effective speech therapy goals are collaborative. They are shaped by the individual, family, and therapist working together to identify what truly matters.
Rather than focusing solely on accuracy or test scores, goal setting should ask:
What does successful communication look like for this person?
Where are breakdowns happening in daily life?
What activities feel most frustrating or limiting?
How can therapy support independence and participation?
This philosophy aligns with evidence-based frameworks such as person-centered care and the Life Participation Approach, which emphasize meaningful outcomes over isolated skill drills.
A New Year Is an Opportunity—Not a Deadline
Setting communication goals in January does not mean immediate or dramatic change. Progress often happens gradually, through consistent support and individualized strategies. What matters most is starting with clarity and intention.
Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or individual navigating communication or swallowing challenges, the new year offers an opportunity to:
Reassess needs
Clarify priorities
Advocate for appropriate support
Focus on participation, not perfection
How can Buckeye Speech Path help?
The SLP team at Buckeye Speech Path can provide:
Free 15 minute screenings in person or virtually
Comprehensive evaluations
Individualized, functional goal setting
Evidence-based treatment approaches
Education and strategies for families and caregivers
Support across the lifespan
If communication, executive functioning, or swallowing has been impacting daily life—no matter how subtly—January is a meaningful time to take the next step.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you are considering a speech, language, cognitive, or swallowing evaluation for yourself or a loved one, reaching out early in the year can help set the foundation for meaningful progress and improved quality of life. Explore a free 15 minute discovery call today to see if we are the right fit for your needs!
I know that personally, the New Year always feels like a good time for a reset as I feel full of hope and possibility! I hope that you reach out if you think we can help provide that for you or your loved ones! We feel so grateful to use our gifts to do what we love, while helping others!
May 2026 be your best year yet!
With love,
~Nikki & The Buckeye Speech Path Team
