Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 68(Member's Dashboard) | Page 19

AUTISM THERAPY Survival Tips for In-Home Therapy You Need to Know By Caroline MITCHELL S o, you have decided that in-home therapy is the right move for you and your child. You’ve had the referral and the assessment, and the insurance company says yes— you’re all set, right? Well, almost! Before the therapist even rings the doorbell, take a moment to read eight tips for therapy sur- vival to help make your sessions a positive and suc- cessful experience for everyone. 1. Prepare your child as much as you can for each therapy session. All kids are different, and “get- ting ready” will differ for everyone, making it important to develop a routine to help your child be ready mentally and physically for ther- apy. Let him/her know who is coming, why, and when. In our house, we have a couple of countdowns, and five minutes before arrival time, we go to the bathroom to wash hands and clean our glasses. We also have a remind- er about listening and paying attention, iPads go away, and we have some quiet time. We are ready when the therapist walks in to start work. 2. If space allows, dedicate a bathroom and workspace for the therapist. Even if this is not possible, ensure he/she has a separate clean towel or paper towels, a trash can, and soap. A designated working space is also appreci- ated—often there is a lot of paperwork, toys, and props, and he/she needs space to conduct the session. Having a designated space, even if it’s the dining room table, allows the therapist to spread out without feeling like he/she is en- croaching on your space. Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 68 | 19