Graduation Day: How to Meet Your Therapy Goals
Taylor Adkins, DPT
Graduation day is always exciting—whether it’s from high school, kindergarten, or even therapy! It’s a day to recognize you have met your goals. In the therapy world, graduation day is a little different. We don’t walk across a stage or throw hats in the air (although maybe we should). It doesn’t happen because you have been here for a set number of visits. It happens because you and your child have worked their hardest to improve their ability to interact in this world and they have finally met their goals!
What does “discharge” mean?
Another word for graduating from therapy is “discharge.” Some people may ask why discharging is a good thing. Wouldn’t that mean that the child is no longer getting help? No! What it actually means is that, at this time, your child has met all expectations for their age or goals and no longer requires help to interact with their peers and environment. Therapy is not designed to help your child maintain skills. It’s designed to teach your child and you how to learn new skills and then maintain them at home. It also does not mean that you can never come back. You are always welcome to call or email with any questions or concerns! If another evaluation is needed, as it seems your child may need extended assistance to be able to complete these new skills, then that’s okay and is perfectly typical.
How can I help my child?
Every parent wants their child to be successful and meet their goals! Here are some great tips for meeting goals and graduating from our therapy services:
- Consistently attend sessions. It is very important to consistently attend your weekly sessions with your therapist. Your child can’t learn or practice new skills if they aren’t working with their therapist. The therapist will also be giving you information and ways to practice throughout the week at home.
- Practice. Practice makes perfect! The more often you encourage your child to practice a skill throughout their normal routine the faster it will become second nature to them.
- Work hard. Work hard at therapy. Work hard at home. The more consistently you and your child work on their goals and follow the home exercise program that your therapist has given you, the better your child will get and the faster they will graduate.
- Don’t give up! There is no set time for how long it will take for a child to reach their goals. It’s okay to be slow. It’s okay to be fast. We don’t compare how fast one kid improves to another. Talk with your therapist about your concerns for your child and to make sure that your goals for your child are attainable.
- Be realistic. When you think of goals for your child or the amount of time you want them to accomplish them in, don’t push too hard too fast. Some parents fall into the trap of comparing one child to another sibling. Just because one child did something early or well does not mean it’s a problem if your second child doesn’t. If you are unsure what the appropriate age expectation for your child is then ask your therapist.
- Be honest with your therapist. The only way your therapist can help you and your child reach your goals is if you are honest up front with your therapist about your hopes and dreams. We will always do our best!
- Have fun! The more we can have fun while working on our goals at therapy and at home, the more likely your kid will want to continue working on them. Don’t get me wrong, it is hard work—but we can make it fun at the same time!
Remember, every child is different! What works for one kiddo may not work for another. Try these tips, work with the therapists, and have fun with your child. Together, we can help ALL kids enjoy being kids!
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s development, our therapists would love to help. Please visit our website or give us a call at 859-353-3666.
