Finding the Right Therapist Every therapist has their own style, personality, techniques, and methods. Finding a good fit for your child and your family is very important. Paying attention to the interaction between your child and her therapist. Everyone should feel comfortable and at ease, with an easy and open communication. Adaptability is another important skill to have. Her therapist should have a willingness to adapt to her her, just like you and your child should be willing to adapt to any suggestions and techniques your therapist may suggest. Each child is different and a good therapist will be able to tweak their methods and strategies to best meet her needs. You have the right, as her parent, to request a new therapist, if you feel her needs are not being met, or if the “fit” is not completely right.
You should be actively involved and engaged in your child’s therapy sessions. while the therapy that happens each week are crucial, it is what happens between the therapy sessions that makes the biggest difference in your child meeting his goals. If he is younger, and seen at home, you will, most likely, be in every session with him. However, if he is seen at a childcare setting or school while you are working, or if your child is older you may not be able to be present for every session. Therefore it is extremely important that the communication between you and his therapist be open, honest, ongoing, and consistent. Write down notes, questions, and concerns that you have during off therapy hours, so you can remember to ask and talk about them with your child’s therapist. His therapist should not only address any concerns you have, but should provide you with the education and tools to help you and your child use those tools in your daily routines. His therapist’s will communicate with you on what they are doing and making sure you feel comfortable implementing techniques on your own. Though, his therapist has the training, skills, and experience, you are the expert on your child! Together you can work through issues and brainstorm ideas on how to best help him. You are the person who will see him out of a structured environment, and in more potentially stressful situations, like bedtime and going to the store. That is why it is so important that you never underestimate your part in his therapy. What happens between therapy sessions is just as important, if not more so, as what happens during. Your active involvement in his therapy is very powerful tool. The more involved you are, the greater the chances of success and meeting his goals.
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As an adult, you probably never thought you would have homework again, but you do. Your homework is working on the skills and goals that you and your child’s therapist have developed together. Practice the techniques and make them routine, and pretty soon you and your child will be able to do them without even thinking. The thing to remember is that consistency is most important in order for her to be successful with learning and maintaining skills, and working toward her goals. One of the main goals for therapy are to provide her with the skills so that one day she will be able to be successful on her own, without the help of a therapist. Sources: FriendshipCircle.org | DisabilityScoop.com | EverydayFamily.com Parent Education: Getting the Most Out of Your Child’s Therapy Shandy Marso, Contributor