The type of therapy I do if typically classified as "behavioral," however often times we claim it as "family treatment." I can teach a child just about anything, from speaking to mowing the lawn (which I've done), but ultimately all that time and effort is for nothing if does not happen when we have gone. We call this "generalizing." Many times I have heard "he will sit down and eat his lunch for you, but not for me!" In this case, the child has not generalized the demand and it only happens for the therapist and the parent. Sadly, many mommies and daddies, desperate for help, assume that we can just "fix" everything, as though we are "kid mechanics." They expect us to shoulder the entire burden and their child progresses but slowly. Behavioral therapy is a team effort. As much importance is put upon the one on one time with the child, it is just as important to work with the family. Currently, I am lucky and have three very willing and understanding, albeit some are misguided, families.
Today, I arrived for therapy to find that the older sister had, apropos of nothing, decided she wanted to leave me a message. It is darling and truly flattering. With most jobs if you are out of sight you are out of mind. Not this one. We are all on the same team after all :)
(because of necessary confidentiality and HIPAA practices I had to block out the kiddo's name):
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