Autism Family Online

WANNA GET INVOLVED?

5 GUIDELINES TO HELP CLINICIANS APPROACH

& WORK WITH PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

Imagine how you feel when your ideas of what should happen (i.e. when you start a new job, go on vacation, or make plans to have children) collide head on with what really happens (i.e. co-workers are difficult to deal with, hurricane disrupts your vacation, or child begins to present with developmental irregularities).

This is a classic fantasy-meets-reality situation in which feelings of excitement and joy may be replaced by feelings of fear and despair. As a mother of a child with Autism, I have first hand experience regarding the fear, despair, anger, and frustration that challenges a parent. As an Occupational Therapist, I have first hand experience regarding the communication and clinical skills needed to work with clients and their caregivers. Based on my perspectives and experiences from both the giving end and receiving end of therapeutic intervention, I would like to offer 5 guidelines for how to approach parents whose child is being assessed and treated for special needs.

First, knowledge is power

Build your knowledge base and skill set. I recommend that you read and learn about the various issues and stressors caregivers deal with, i.e. sleep deprivation, grief, isolation, strained relations with friends/spouse/family, difficulties managing their daily routines (at home and at work), and challenges brought on by financing therapy. You will also need to learn and practice active listening skills. As you discover the needs of your client and their parents, you will be able to direct them to appropriate resources (online, community, books, support groups, medical professionals...to name a few).

Second, presentation is everything

Develop and master your professionalism. Please consider three main issues:

1) Plan ahead for your treatment sessions...and include several back-up plans! Consider the child's (and parent's) attention span, frustration tolerance, daily schedule, transportation, strengths, needs, and support system.

2) Dress conservatively, be well groomed, be on time, set limits as needed, and be organized.

3) Give the parents ways to communicate their questions and concerns with you. For example, have them write in a notebook, write an email, leave a phone message. Meanwhile, set boundaries to help you protect your personal space and time.

Third, look on the bright side

Teach the parents how to celebrate their child. Demonstrate how to look for and reward even the most microscopic signs of progress. One way I helped my son shorten his outbursts was to cheer and applaud when he inhaled. For that tiny quiet moment, I was able to capture the desired behavior and show him that he can, in fact, stop screaming.

Similarly, capture moments when you see the parent working well with their child and provide them with positive feedback for their efforts. One phrase I have learned to use is, "I appreciate the way you______. I need more of that." I also strongly recommend that you educate yourself and the parent on how to look at progress as if you are looking down from an airplane...when you view the situation from a distance, the topography/progress is much clearer.

Fourth, the light at the end of the tunnel

Be a resource! Using your active listening skills, identify helpful articles, ideas, websites, brochures, books, quotes, references, courses, financial assistance, respite care services, on-line communities, community activities and organizations, etc. Then, gradually and respectfully provide them with this information.

Even with my education and training as an Occupational Therapist, I still found myself easily overwhelmed when information and suggestions where seemingly unloaded on me. Along with information, please give them techniques to use with their child that can easily be incorporated into their daily routine. For example, techniques that can help a child tolerate eating new foods can be done during meal time.

Finally, expect the unexpected

Ask questions and investigate. To better serve the parent, find out their priorities, fears, hopes and concerns. Also, identify

• the parent's learning style
• their time constraints
• physical abilities and limitations
• emotional abilities and limits
• beliefs and preferences
• expectations of therapy
• available resources
• their opinions of how well they will be able to cope with current and future challenges

As a clinician, you are so much more than just another person on the parent's busy schedule. Work to expand your knowledge of issues caregivers face, optimize your professional skills and appearance, empower the parents by leading through example, respectfully guide parents to beneficial resources and techniques. Also, embrace the challenge of including the parent's priorities, needs and expectations into your treatment plan.

You may just find yourself witnessing and experiencing many unexpected joys. Who knows...maybe that parent you help will go on and become a lifeline and beacon of hope for other parents in need!

Denise Meissner is the mother of a child with Autism and an Occupational Therapist. Based on her experiences and training, she created the QCharm Portable Visual Cueing System and co-founded QCharm, LLC. (http://www.qcharm.com)

© 2009 Denise Meissner