Foundations Of Transition
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Getting the Most out of Your Early Intervention
It’s Tuesday morning and your early interventionist is coming today. What’s going through your mind? Maybe you’re looking forward to sharing what your baby has recently started doing. Perhaps you’re busy sweeping up crumbs from breakfast. Hopefully you’re not thinking about canceling the visit!
Things are going through your early interventionist’s mind, too. She is thinking about you and your child. She has planned what to discuss based on your interests and your child’s development. She keeps in mind questions you’ve asked or goals you’ve expressed and has gathered materials to give you the information you need to be your child’s best first teacher. You and your early interventionist are partners in making the most out of your time together. Here are some things you can do to get the most out of participating in early intervention.
YOUR CHILD
You see your child every day; your early interventionist visits for a short time. Be ready to share what’s new—it may be helpful to keep a list of new milestones or changes in your child’s routine.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT HOUSEKEEPING
Your early interventionist is looking forward to seeing you and your child. Certainly, it is helpful to have a clean space for your time together, but your early interventionist won’t mind if there are dishes in the sink or towels on the bathroom floor. She knows how to focus on you and your family. Relax and enjoy your personal visit without being overly concerned about housekeeping.
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS
If your pet longs for attention, take him out of the room. A television or radio playing in the background can make it hard for everyone to concentrate. If you receive a phone call, try to end it quickly. Save chores such as laundry or dishes for later—both you and your early interventionist will be able to make the most out of your time together if you give your full attention.
LET YOUR EARLY INTERVENTIONIST KNOW ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS
Fully participate in the partnership with your early interventionist by sharing your thoughts and feelings. Don’t be embarrassed to ask any questions you might have. You may think a question is trivial, but your early interventionist won’t. Ask for additional information on a topic that interests you. Tell her your goals for your child or concerns you may have about your child’s services. Feel free to share fears or things that worry you. Your early interventionist will keep your comments confidential. She will help you find the resources you need to feel confident about your child’s development and your parenting.
FOLLOW UP ON RECOMMENDATIONS
Your early interventionist may suggest activities for you to do with your child between visits or may recommend other steps for you to take to meet his or her needs. Enjoy doing these things with your child, follow through with recommendations and observe his development. You will help your child reach her full potential.
Adapted from a Summer, 2005 article at www.ParentsAsTeachers.org.
Things are going through your early interventionist’s mind, too. She is thinking about you and your child. She has planned what to discuss based on your interests and your child’s development. She keeps in mind questions you’ve asked or goals you’ve expressed and has gathered materials to give you the information you need to be your child’s best first teacher. You and your early interventionist are partners in making the most out of your time together. Here are some things you can do to get the most out of participating in early intervention.
YOUR CHILD
You see your child every day; your early interventionist visits for a short time. Be ready to share what’s new—it may be helpful to keep a list of new milestones or changes in your child’s routine.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT HOUSEKEEPING
Your early interventionist is looking forward to seeing you and your child. Certainly, it is helpful to have a clean space for your time together, but your early interventionist won’t mind if there are dishes in the sink or towels on the bathroom floor. She knows how to focus on you and your family. Relax and enjoy your personal visit without being overly concerned about housekeeping.
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS
If your pet longs for attention, take him out of the room. A television or radio playing in the background can make it hard for everyone to concentrate. If you receive a phone call, try to end it quickly. Save chores such as laundry or dishes for later—both you and your early interventionist will be able to make the most out of your time together if you give your full attention.
LET YOUR EARLY INTERVENTIONIST KNOW ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS
Fully participate in the partnership with your early interventionist by sharing your thoughts and feelings. Don’t be embarrassed to ask any questions you might have. You may think a question is trivial, but your early interventionist won’t. Ask for additional information on a topic that interests you. Tell her your goals for your child or concerns you may have about your child’s services. Feel free to share fears or things that worry you. Your early interventionist will keep your comments confidential. She will help you find the resources you need to feel confident about your child’s development and your parenting.
FOLLOW UP ON RECOMMENDATIONS
Your early interventionist may suggest activities for you to do with your child between visits or may recommend other steps for you to take to meet his or her needs. Enjoy doing these things with your child, follow through with recommendations and observe his development. You will help your child reach her full potential.
Adapted from a Summer, 2005 article at www.ParentsAsTeachers.org.