Quick answer: For us, therapy worked best when (1) the therapist was a true fit for my child, (2) the schedule was sustainable long term, and (3) we planned for homework and built it into everyday routines.
Elizabeth has been in therapy since she was 2.5 years old. She is now 26. That means she has had therapy for over 23 years.
Her therapies have changed as her needs and age changed. For example, she still has a few misarticulations. But we feel she is too old for traditional “speech therapy.” So now she sings to keep her mouth work going. It is still therapy. It also feels age appropriate.
We have spent a long time navigating the therapy world. We have learned so much along the way. I wish we had learned some lessons the easy way. For other lessons, I feel grateful we learned them at all.
Today I want to share 3 things I wish I had known sooner. I hope they help you, too. You might be starting therapies now. Or you might still be navigating the therapy world like we are. Please remember, I am no expert. I am just a mom who has done a lot of leg work over the years.
1) Your therapist needs to be a good fit for your child
Therapy can help your child. But the therapist must feel like a good match. You want someone you feel comfortable with. You also want someone who shares your vision for your child.
Talk first and trust your instincts
Talk with the therapist, or with someone at the facility. Describe your child. Ask how they would support your child’s needs. Then listen to your gut.
If you feel good about the therapist or the facility, you are off to a strong start. If it does not work out, it is okay to make a change. You can find a therapist who fits your child’s needs, personality, and goals.
A story from our early years
We once worked with one of Elizabeth’s early speech therapists. She seemed eager to help. She had experience, too. So we started therapy with her.
It went well, until it didn’t. Over time, she grew impatient with Elizabeth’s sensory needs. She also got tired of waiting for Elizabeth to warm up. Her voice became sharp.
I could see Elizabeth get more anxious. I did not want that. So I started looking for a new therapist. That choice felt hard at first. But I knew it was right.
That change led us to our next therapist. She proved to be a perfect fit for Elizabeth. She stayed with us for a very long time.
So, listen to your heart.
2) Think about what schedule you can actually manage long-term
Therapy is a marathon, not a sprint. It does not fix everything after one visit. It also does not fix everything after two. Therapy often moves slowly. It takes patience. It can also bring steady gains over time.
Ask yourself what you can sustain
Before you set a schedule, ask yourself one simple question. Can I manage this long term?
Then think about the details that affect real life:
- How many sessions per week can we handle?
- What time of day works best for my child?
- How far do we need to travel?
- How does this fit with work, school, and family needs?
All of these factors matter. They shape whether you can keep going for the long haul.
When “more” was not better for us
At one point, we scheduled speech therapy 3 times a week at 4 pm. We drove 35 minutes each way. That meant over 2 hours for one session, door to door.
Elizabeth felt tired. Her sister sat in the car right after school. We tried to snack on the way home. But we still got home worn out. Everyone felt tired, cranky, and overwhelmed.
We could not keep that schedule for long.
So take time to plan your where, when, and how often. Remember this, too: more is not always better.
Related Read: A Parent’s Perspective: The Transition from School to Summer (scheduling therapy around seasonal changes).
3) Plan to have homework and plan when to do it
Homework. We all disliked it as kids. As a parent, it can feel like one more thing to fit in.
I believe organization helps a lot. It makes follow-up at home feel more doable.
Write it down right away
Bring a notebook or folder. Write down what the therapist says during the session. Do it in the moment. Trust me, you will not remember it all. Even if you think you will, you won’t.
Ask questions before you leave:
- What should we practice first?
- How often should we practice?
- What does “success” look like this week?
Build practice into everyday life
Ask the therapist how to weave practice into daily routines. This helps it feel less like extra work. It also helps it actually happen.
For example, if you practice a certain sound, you can work on it while you cook. You can also work on it while you do a puzzle. Those small moments add up.
I also found this important: make practice part of the day. If I treated it as a separate “sit down” event, it often did not happen. When we worked it into real life, it felt easier.
For Elizabeth, the natural approach lowered her anxiety. It also helped her have more fun. That made it easier to do it again the next day.
So much of progress depends on follow-up at home. It takes work. But you can do it.
FAQ
How do I know if a therapist is the right fit for my child?
If your child becomes more anxious over time or you feel the therapist’s style does not match your child’s needs, it is okay to look for a better fit.
How many therapy sessions should we schedule each week?
Choose a plan you can manage long term. More is not always better if it overwhelms your child or your family routine.
What is the best way to make therapy homework actually happen?
Write notes during sessions and build small practice moments into real life activities instead of making it a separate “sit down” event.