How can your child with special challenges achieve the most benefit from their therapy?
As a Paediatric Therapist, my treatment goals centre on how I can best support your child’s progress within the duration of their therapy time with me.
These are some of the questions I ask myself during every therapy session with your child:
- What is stopping your child from moving forward?
- What is missing in your child’s ‘movement vocabulary’?
- What is needed for your child to advance to their next stage of development?
When I address these questions, positive changes are always observed with notable gains in every child’s ability by the end of each therapy session.
Over time, it catches my attention and I recognize that each and every child seems to progress at a slightly different rate even though they each receive ‘very similar’ treatments.
Aside from the medical diagnoses which can, to a certain degree, pre-determine each child’s ability, it occurrs to me that the amount of on-going support each child receives outside of my therapy room has a significant impact on the overall progress of that child.
Needless to say, a parent’s commitment to a consistent and focused therapy program for their child will ensure that their child receives the support, stimulation and encouragement needed to continue to progress in their development.
However, there are 4 additional key elements which I’ve identified that can further support your special needs child’s overall development.
These 4 key elements are:
- Ongoing Home Activity program
- Variations in environment and experiences
- Supportive wider circle of care
- Parent’s own self-care and well-being
In the next issues of ‘Move To Learn Therapy News’, we’ll explore each of these elements so that as a parent of a child with special challenges, you can more fully support your child’s successful evolution towards independence, and thereby realizing their life’s potential.
Your Child’s Success Circle
I intentionally used this colourful picture of a beach ball to serve as a useful reminder for you. Also, it is something which may help your family and those in your child’s wider circle of care.
You can see a bigger version of it here on my website.
“As a parent, when you understand the elements required to fully support your special needs child’s development, you can become your child’s best and most effective therapist.”
