Here are two questions to ask yourself when you are planning your first week of therapy:
How are you going to introduce yourself to families/parents?
Here are some options:
1. Send out a letter introducing yourself to send home with students or via e-mail.
2. Connect with parents by calling or texting. (You can use your school phone or Google Voice.)
3. If your school has Seesaw (or a similar parent communication website), connect on that platform.
What will be your “first day” activity?
I always love a “getting to know you” activity!
Be sensitive when asking about family members and vacations.
1. Consider using language like “who lives at home with you” or “who takes care of you.”
Instead of “What did you do on summer vacation?”, try “What’s something you love to do or are interested in?”
2. Make a note of their responses. This can be therapy gold!
3. For any questions/activities, I usually model it and start with myself.
Here are some other ideas:
1. Ask what they liked (and didn’t like) about speech last year.
3. Talk about why they go to speech and what we can accomplish together.
What about older students?
With older students, have a conversation on what they struggle with at school and let them know that we’re going to work on making goals together.
Consider asking them what their favorite candy and snacks are. If this is allowed, keep a stash for when they have a bad day or to increase buy-in.
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