By: Elyse Schultz M.S., CCC-SLP
Here are 3 reasons why collaborating is key to the most successful and efficient therapy. Team collaboration looks different for each client. For young kids, your team might include parent(s), day care providers, teachers, counselors, babysitters, siblings, other service providers, etc. For older clients, your team might include partners/spouses, friends, etc. No matter who is on your team, everyone’s input is valuable.
- Feedback
During therapy sessions, we get to see the client in a 1:1 or small group setting in an ideal location with limited background noise, structured tasks, and scaffolding. Outside in the “real world” at home, school, on the playground, or at work, these parameters are not the same. Feedback from other environments is vital to measure how these skills are functionally impacting the individual. Feedback can also help adjust the clinician’s goals to match the individual’s current needs/goals.
- Carryover
A team approach can help transfer skills beyond the therapeutic environment. Often, therapists will provide homework for the client to work on their goals outside of the session. Why only use a proper /r/ sound only when you’re in therapy? We want to be able to hear your child proudly and clearly announce, “Let’s pARty” at their next birthday! It’s important to communicate with team member(s) to give tips and cues to help the client generalize their skills.
- Consistency
Imagine how confusing it might be for a client to get conflicting feedback or different cues? For example, if your clinician is using the term “whole body listening” and your teacher is using “calm body,” your child might not understand what is expected of them. Am I supposed to be sitting down or taking deep breaths or looking with my eyes at the teacher? When you collaborate, everyone is on the same page and the client knows what is expected of them. Many clients thrive with consistency!
A collaborative approach allows for sharing of feedback, carryover, and consistency. All these aspects of therapy make for an ideal therapeutic journey. We like to join forces with parents/caregivers to share feedback, progress, homework, build your child’s individualized team, schedule, and preferred method of communication that fits your needs. Team meetings, e-mails, phone calls, and zoom calls are all great ways to stay connected and share necessary information.