We are often asked by parents how can they maximize their child’s progress while receiving therapy at RTS. We have created a short list of strategies and ideas to help parents strengthen their partnership in the therapy process.
- Be an active participant in the session! We welcome and encourage parent involvement in sessions. It is also a great time for your child’s therapist to demonstrate intervention strategies which you can incorporate into daily routines.
- Ask questions! Please do not shy-away from questions for fear that something is silly to ask. We understand that the therapy process can be confusing at times, and welcome any and all questions that you may have. The more information you have, the more knowledgeable you will be and the greater impact you will have as a partner in the process.
- Regular attendance with sessions. Your child’s therapist has made specific recommendations for how often she needs to see him/her in order make progress with therapy goals. Consistent attendance has a significant impact on progress.
- Practice, practice, practice! Whether your child is seen in your home; at a daycare/preschool; or in our office, your child’s therapist will give you strategies and homework to practice until the next session. Daily practice is an integral part of the therapy process. Incorporate siblings and other family members into your “practice time” in order to encourage greater carryover of skills into daily routines.
Filed under: Therapy Ideas
Advocacy is an important part of our jobs. We spend a lot of time educating parents, teachers, grandparents, siblings, lawmakers, etc. about the importance of speech, physical, and occupational therapy. RTS therapists advocate for our patients and their families every day! We are also involved with advocacy at the state level and frequently meet with lawmakers about the importance of the services we provide. We believe in what we do, and we believe that our services make such a vital impact in the lives of children and families who are recipients. Recently, Allison Crumpler, SLP, was asked to speak at a press conference at the Legislative Building about the importance of speech-language pathology services in the state of North Carolina. Allison told lawmakers that providing these services saves jobs and tax dollars. “Without the power to communicate and/or swallow, these children will lead less healthy, less full lives – and many will become a burden on state government. We must pay for these vital services now or we will all pay for it later,” she said. “Furthermore, a reduction in speech therapy services would undermine thousands of jobs in North Carolina.” she said. Allison Crumpler, SLP, urging lawmakers to invest in the future of North Carolina by protecting vital services such as speech therapy. ______________________________________________________________________________ On Friday, March 11, Vicki Dailey, SLP/President of Raleigh Therapy Services, Inc. and Jeri Bates, VP/COO of SpeechCenter, Inc. met for 90 minutes with Health and Human Services Appropriations Co-Chairmen, Representatives Justin Burr and Nelson Dollar. Vicki and Jeri talked with Reps. Burr and Dollar, on behalf of the North Carolina Speech Hearing and Language Association, to inform them that NC’s Outpatient Specialized Therapy Program is a well managed program which provides medically necessary services in a fiscally responsible way. Vicki and Jeri are both grateful for the opportunity to meet with these Representatives and appreciate their time and consideration of Outpatient Specialized Therapies as the Legislators continue to craft the State’s budget.
Filed under: Advocacy
