Reducing the overwhelm of therapy recommendations

We are fortunate to have a range of professionals who are available to support our children to be the best learners they can be no matter their needs. Some children access these supports out of school hours while others have therapists looking to conduct their intervention sessions during school time. Much like children have guitar and singing lessons, some children need to access services like occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychology to develop their skills in areas they are looking to develop, like physical skills, communication, and social skills.

The strategies and recommendations put forward by these therapists can be lifesavers in assisting a teacher better cater to the diverse needs of the students in their class, however, it can also be overwhelming. For students with multiple needs, a teacher can receive multiple reports and a list of recommendations from all the child’s therapy team, and knowing what to focus on can be overwhelming.

When we are in overwhelm a few things can happen, 

1. We don’t know where to start so we do not start at all.
2. We don’t understand what to do, don’t ask for help and so focus on the wrong thing.
3. We feel the pressure of doing everything so try to do everything and not do it well.
4. We are interested but feel overwhelmed so do not do anything.

Interestingly this is what happens when we are faced with overwhelm in any area of our lives and it becomes worse when we try to work through it on our own. Using the team providing support to your student can help to simplify the overwhelm and can help you to know where to start and where to focus.

If you are feeling stuck with not knowing where to start in supporting the therapy needs of your student these ideas will help;

1. Make notes. Make a copy of each of the students’ therapist reports and with a highlighter in hand go through the report, make notes, write questions, and highlight ideas you would like to try.

2. Meet. Set a meeting with the child’s therapist at the beginning of each term to get an update as to where the child is progressing and what you can do in the class. If you are unable to meet once a term, make sure you meet at least once a semester. We all know how fast time flies and before you know it the year will be over!

3. Ask. It is important that you ask the therapist how their recommendations apply to you as the child’s teacher. You are not expected to be the child’s therapist at school. Ask for strategies specifically related to what you can do in the classroom. 

4. Connect. If you are still unsure or have tried a strategy and it worked or even if it didn’t reach out and call or email the therapist. Therapists are only too happy to support you and want to see the child succeed as well as you.

Your students’ therapy team is there to support the child and you. Do not get stuck in overwhelm. Access your team of supports when you need it, they are only a phone call away.

Angela