When children begin the therapy process, clinicians identify a series of goals to accomplish throughout the plan of care. Goals will vary based on the needs of each child. Rarely do any two children have the same needs in terms of frequency, duration, or length. However, one element that remains the same from child to child is the need for consistency. This component of consistency is the key to making progress in any therapy.
Consistent attendance helps children:
1. Fall into a routine with therapy.
They know exactly what to expect each time because they adhere to the same guidelines and expectations every time. It creates an atmosphere of efficiency for both the child and clinician because time can be spent addressing goals through fun and engaging activities, rather than explaining rules and expectations.
2. Generalize skills faster.
When attending therapy regularly, children are thinking about their goals routinely. This leads to more opportunities to self correct, reflect, and practice the skills acquired in the therapy room.
3. Build relationships.
Therapy often requires children to do hard things. It is essential they trust the therapist they are working with to push them in ways that help them learn and grow. One way to help build this trust is to maintain a consistent attendance schedule which will allow children to establish rapport with their therapists.
Maintaining consistent attendance is essential for growth. It is better for children to attend therapy less frequently but consistently than it is to attend a few sessions here and there, or try to cram months worth of therapy into a few weeks.
Whether you are getting started with therapy or have been receiving services for some time, we invite you take a look at your schedule to determine what works best for your family to ensure routine attendance!