| To make really good choices, about choosing the | | | | - Who will be available for therapy when they are |
| correct therapies for your child, you will need to | | | | on holiday or ill? |
| know what these therapies actually do, how do | | | | - What type of therapy do they specialise in? |
| these people actually become qualified, how | | | | - Would the therapist be willing to consult with you |
| exactly are they suppose to help and how quickly. | | | | as well as treating your child? |
| Having the right information will help you make | | | | The right therapist-client match is essential, so |
| more informed descions. Should my child be | | | | you might need to meet with a few before you |
| seeing a therapist? | | | | find one that clicks with you and your child. |
| Children who aren't in school yet could benefit | | | | Preparing for your first visit Especially with special |
| from seeing a developmental profesional, if there | | | | needs children, it is important to let them know |
| is a significant delay in achieving developmental | | | | about an upcoming visit with an occupational, |
| milestones, such as sitting, crawling, walking or | | | | speech or physio therapist. Be honest about the |
| talking, and if there are any concerns regarding | | | | reasons why your child or family will be going. The |
| other developmental delays. Trust your instincts; | | | | reason will come up during the session, but it is |
| (early intervention) will not only benefit your child, | | | | important to prepare the child beforehand. Explain |
| but your quality of life as a family too. | | | | to younger children that this type of doctor's visit |
| Signs that your child may benefit from seeing a | | | | does not include a physical exam, but this person |
| therapist: | | | | talks and plays with kids and families to help them |
| - Developmental delays, such as sitting, crawling, | | | | solve problems and make them feel better. Giving |
| walking or talking. | | | | your child this kind of information before the first |
| - Learning or attention problems at school. | | | | visit can help set the tone for the session. |
| - Sudden changes in appetite. | | | | It will also prevent your child from feeling isolated |
| - Insomnia or increased sleepiness. | | | | and singled out. Keep providing reassurance that |
| - An increase in physical complaints, despite a | | | | the family will be working together to solve this |
| normal physical exam by your doctor. | | | | problem. Providing additional support for your child |
| - Management of a serious or chronic illness. | | | | While your child has to cope with everything that |
| Finding the right therapist So, how do you go | | | | is going on around him, and a lot of it will be |
| about finding the right therapist who has enough | | | | strange and new, be there to listen, care and |
| working experience with children? Although | | | | support. Patience is important, especially for |
| experience and education are important, it is just | | | | younger children who cannot verbalise their fears |
| as important to find someone that you and your | | | | and emotions. Set some time aside to discuss |
| child feel comfortable with. So not only do you | | | | your child's worries and fears, with no outside |
| look for one that has the right experience, but | | | | interruptions. This will let your child know that he is |
| also the best approach to help your child in the | | | | your first priority. |
| current circumstances. Your doctor is probably | | | | Here are some other ways to communicate |
| your best bet for a referral, as most doctors | | | | openly and solve problems: |
| have working relationships with the proffesionals | | | | - Be open and honest with your child, and set |
| they refere. | | | | time aside frequently, to talk. |
| Friends, colleagues or family members, someone | | | | - Show love and affection to your child. |
| who has had experience with the particular | | | | - Set a good example by taking care of your |
| therapist, can also recommend someone. Before | | | | own physical and emotional needs. |
| you commit to regular visits with any therapist, it | | | | - Use your support system, you don't have too |
| is always a good idea to meet with them first or | | | | do this alone or cope with all of it on your own. |
| chat to them over the phone. This will at least | | | | - Improve family communication by having "family |
| give you an idea of who you are dealing with. | | | | meetings" and ending them with a fun activity. |
| Some therapists will schedule a consultation with | | | | - No matter how hard it is, discipline your child for |
| you, which may be charged for, to get to know | | | | inapropriate behaviour, ask your therapist for |
| you and your child better, before committing to | | | | strategies to encourage your child's cooperation. |
| treatment. Only use a therapist that you are | | | | - Keep in touch with your child's therapist. |
| comfortable with, otherwise the therapy may not | | | | - Be open to feedback from your child and the |
| be as effective. | | | | therapist, be it positive or negative. |
| Consider the following factors when evaluating a | | | | - Respect the relationship between your child and |
| potential therapist: | | | | their therapist. |
| - Is the therapist covered by your medical aid? | | | | - Enjoy favourite activities or hobbies with your |
| - If so, how many sessions are covered and is | | | | child. |
| there an excess for you pay? | | | | By recognising problems and intervening early on, |
| - What are their qualifications? | | | | you can help your child - and your family - move |
| - What type of experience does the therapist | | | | through the tough times towards the happier, |
| have, working with children? | | | | healthier times that lay ahead. |
| - Would your child like the therapist? | | | | |