As speech and language therapists, our work often involves more than just supporting our clients; it requires building strong, empathetic partnerships with families. These relationships are key to aligning therapy goals with the child’s natural communication style and the family’s values. Here are some insights on fostering these collaborations:
1. Co-Create Goals With Parents and Caregivers
Therapy goals should reflect not only the child’s needs but also the family’s hopes, culture, and daily realities. Involving parents in the goal-setting process ensures that we’re working toward objectives that are both meaningful and achievable. For example:
Instead of setting a broad goal like “improve social skills,” collaborate with parents to identify what specificsocial interactions matter most in their daily lives (e.g., playing with a sibling or greeting a relative).
Regularly revisit these goals to adjust as the child grows or family priorities shift.
2. Navigating Tensions Between “Normalization” and Neurodiversity Affirmation
One of the most delicate aspects of collaboration is addressing situations where families may seek therapy outcomes aimed at “normalizing” behaviors, like eliminating stimming or teaching eye contact. These requests often come from a place of love, shaped by societal pressures or fears for their child’s future.
Here’s how to navigate these conversations:
Acknowledge the family’s concerns: Validate their feelings and the challenges they face.
Provide education: Share evidence about the benefits of neurodiversity-affirming practices, like how stimming helps with self-regulation or how alternative communication methods can reduce frustration.
Reframe success: Discuss how fostering authentic communication and self-expression can lead to long-term confidence and well-being for their child.
3. Focus on the Child’s Strengths and Authenticity
A neurodiversity-affirming approach values the child’s unique way of interacting with the world. Show families how therapy can build on strengths, such as turning an interest in trains into a way to practice turn-taking or using echolalia as a foundation for spontaneous speech.
What’s your go-to approach for facilitating productive conversations with families? Whether it’s a specific resource, a strategy for reframing expectations, or a way of explaining neurodiversity-affirming practices, I’d love to hear what works for you!
By prioritizing collaboration and empathy, we can create therapy plans that support not only the child’s development but also the family’s confidence in celebrating their child’s individuality.
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