therapy tips & tricks: making every session count

Hello caregivers! This guide will help you steer the process if your child needs therapy, whether long-term or short-term. The process can be lengthy regardless of the diagnosis, from referral to assessment to starting therapy. The main goal is for both parents and the child to benefit the most from therapy. Here are a few tips for parents new to therapy, which can include occupational, physical, feeding, or speech therapy:

1. Insurance: Ensure your provider is in-network with your insurance to minimize costs and avoid surprise bills.

2. Experience: Choose a clinic experienced with your child’s diagnosis, if they have one already. If not, check their reviews.

3. Location: Consider the clinic’s distance from your home, especially during traffic or after school hours. Some clinics have a 15-minute grace period for late arrivals, so keep commute time in mind.

4. Therapist Fit: Ensure you and the therapist are on the same page and that they are a good fit for your child. A good rapport with the therapist can make a huge difference.

5. Clinic Policies: Review the clinic’s policies thoroughly. Some clinics have a cancellation fee if you don’t cancel within 24 hours; others may have a grace period of 15 minutes before canceling your appointment. Knowing these policies can prevent surprises and frustration.

6. Communication: Maintain good communication with the therapist. If they give you exercises to do at home, practice them with your child. This helps ensure that what they learn in the clinic is generalized in their home setting.

7. Feedback: Inform your therapist of any problems your child has at school or home. They can modify goals and adjust exercises to address these issues. For instance, if your child is struggling to grasp a pencil at school, let the therapist know so they can incorporate relevant exercises in the clinic. Observing and updating them on problem areas can help tailor the therapy to your child’s needs.

8. Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the therapy schedule if it becomes too much. If twice a week is overwhelming, consider reducing it to once a week. If full sessions are too long, discuss with the therapist about shortening them to 30 minutes. Sometimes, therapy can lead to burnout or plateaus, so it’s important to adjust the duration or frequency to ensure your child continues to make progress.

The ultimate goal is to benefit your child the most and maximize their progress.