therapy dos and don'ts

[Luna]

Eventually I will post somewhere about sites I really like. . . there are a LOT. I came across this today and wanted to share with you. . .

http://www.lovethatmax.com/2012/02/b...kids-with.html

[tanyachap]

Thanks for sharing. I liked it although most of them seem common sense to me. The one I did not understand is don't ask questions in the end of the session b/c she might feel rushed. I don't get it. We have been with 4 SLPs before he turned 3 and 3 after he switched to the school district and all 7 of them had 5 min time at the end of the session for questions. I think that's much better than the beginning since the therapist will come out and give an update on the session and the parent will have questions. I always tell the therapist before the session with 1 sentence what we practiced but I can't imagine not having the time to ask questions at the end of the session. To me that's a deal breaker.

[Gwenn]

That is odd. I would expect that to be when parents have the most questions. If the therapist feels that way, she should be managing her time better, to allow time for questions. After all, that will make as much or more difference to the child's progress than 5 extra minutes of therapy.

[Luna]

I thought that was weird too. . . but did like the blog in general so I shared. *shrug* and agree about the extra 5 minutes. . .I like when parents ask questions as they go, rather than trying to extend past that allotted time (as happened quite often when I worked 0-3). . . .

[Gwenn]

It is definitely challenging because as a therapist, you feel like the clock is ticking all the time. It's disrespectful to be late for the next client who is waiting. School groups can be difficult to keep running on time, too. That was always a big frustration of mine because I always felt something was coming up - tying shoes, picking out a sticker, whatever, that kept me from running things smoothly. It's actually one of the most difficult parts of the job.

[Luna]

It is definitely challenging because as a therapist, you feel like the clock is ticking all the time. It's disrespectful to be late for the next client who is waiting. School groups can be difficult to keep running on time, too. That was always a big frustration of mine because I always felt something was coming up - tying shoes, picking out a sticker, whatever, that kept me from running things smoothly. It's actually one of the most difficult parts of the job.

Yes. My biggest challenge! Actually. . . I'm a horrible time-manager and am constantly behind! I have to set timer/reminders for myself more than the kids because if I don't? I miss kiddos.

[Gwenn]

What's worse is having to track the kids down. I can't tell you how many times I've wasted half a session searching the playground, etc looking for kids who, as far as I knew, were supposed to be somewhere else. Drove me

[Luna]

I'm determined to set up a system where my 3rd graders and up come on their own and I start "training" the 2nd graders what their times are and we track it. Hoping that will save time and we have fun doing it!

[Gwenn]

That's a good idea.

[Luna]

Yeah. But who knows if it will work since I'm in a new school and district again next year. I know nothing about the kiddos I'll have at all. . .

[Gwenn]

All depends on the kids. I couldn't do that with my self-contained kids, and with my older kids the teacher was really bad about letting me know if they were with her or in the gen Ed classes, which could be anywhere for all I knew. It was awful.

[tanyachap]

I like the list. I didn't mean to come across as overly critical, it was just that single point I disagreed.

I can imagine how frustrating is to track kids down and waste time. One of the reasons why I don't understand people who decide to delay therapy so that it is just the school job to do it, as opposed to them driving the kids to sessions. DH has a coworker who is highly educated with half of her in laws medical doctors and that's exactly what they did with their son. And another couple too. Both boys have pretty obvious and undisputed speech problems.

[Luna]

I like the list. I didn't mean to come across as overly critical, it was just that single point I disagreed.

I can imagine how frustrating is to track kids down and waste time. One of the reasons why I don't understand people who decide to delay therapy so that it is just the school job to do it, as opposed to them driving the kids to sessions. DH has a coworker who is highly educated with half of her in laws medical doctors and that's exactly what they did with their son. And another couple too. Both boys have pretty obvious and undisputed speech problems.

No Worries! And on the delaying therapy point. . . .yikes! Waiting if there's a serious speech sound disorder going on it not good. I've seen really good results before 2nd grade and the earlier we get ahold of them the better.

[April1975]

My son is 3, and will begin OT, ST, PT and Play Therapy in September. He will have 2 - 30 min session a week, as well as being a in a self contained class. In spite of all of that, I don't plan on giving him more therapy after school or on weekends (weekends are for relaxing and playing at the park). I think 2 much therapy can burn out a young child.

Plus, the cost of therapist in NYC is very expensive. I am happy that the school district will cover then entire cost.

[Gwenn]

I agree with you, kids can burn out. But you are putting him in therapy through the schools now, not waiting until kindergarten. It's really sad to see a little one that has had no help for all that time, when you know that's the age they could have learned best.

[tanyachap]

April, that's how much Kevin has been getting from our school district and it has worked very well for him. HE doesn't respond well to practice at home and we work in the context of sentences, e.g., I correct certain sounds while he is talking to me and he repeats after me. He has made a lot of progress this way and his therapist is very happy with his speech.

[April1975]

I agree with you, kids can burn out. But you are putting him in therapy through the schools now, not waiting until kindergarten. It's really sad to see a little one that has had no help for all that time, when you know that's the age they could have learned best.

I def agree that this is the perfect age. His communication issues weren't as obvious before when he was younger, but I can see it now. I wish he had therapy NOW, but the specical ed teacher that we have now is great. It really makes us feel so good when you have a teacher who genuinely cares. She wants us to start asking him to show us his favorite part of the book. So far, he just wants me to do it, and will remind me to show him MY favorite part of the book if I forget.

April, that's how much Kevin has been getting from our school district and it has worked very well for him. HE doesn't respond well to practice at home and we work in the context of sentences, e.g., I correct certain sounds while he is talking to me and he repeats after me. He has made a lot of progress this way and his therapist is very happy with his speech.

That is so good to hear. I am hoping that all the therapy and school will jump start the dialog process that he needs to have a conversation. My son only does short sentences, but there is little or no back and forth dialogue. My son has some issues with pronouncing some letters also. He also has issues with Pronouns (, I, me, etc).