Insider Wisdom: 24 Tips for Early Intervention Success
Are you an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, SLP, or other professional just getting started in Early Intervention? Or do you support Early Intervention therapists who are new to the field? This post is filled with 24 words of wisdom for all Early Intervention professionals looking to take their EI practice to the next level!
Welcome to the world of Early Intervention (EI) therapy—a journey that takes you beyond clinic walls and into the heart of homes.
While Early Intervention can be quite an adjustment with a steep learning curve, I truly believe it’s one of the most holistic practices within our field. If you’re a therapist who loves working in the natural environment, collaborating with caregivers, and thinks outside the box, you might just find that EI is the perfect fit.
Whether you’re thinking of taking an Early Intervention position, new to Early Intervention, or an experienced EI practitioner, this post is full of practical tips to strengthen your Early Intervention practice.
I’ve compiled these words of wisdom from experienced Early Interventionists all around the US to support newbies and those supporting and training new EI therapists.
Slow down, get to know your families
Building a strong therapeutic relationship begins with understanding the family dynamics. Take the time to learn about their interests, hobbies, and daily routines to establish a more meaningful connection.
Put extra clothes and water in your car
This is practical advice considering the unpredictable nature of home visits. Whether it's a spill during an activity or unexpected weather changes, having spare clothes ensures you're prepared for any situation.
Remember, you are in their home
Acknowledging and respecting the family's space is crucial. Asking about preferences, such as whether to take off your shoes, and finding out where they are comfortable working, contributes to a more comfortable and collaborative environment.
Set the stage
Clearly define expectations, roles, and boundaries from the beginning. Make sure the family understands their importance in the therapy process and address logistical aspects like handling no-shows or cancellations.
You have 2 clients, the child and caregiver
Recognize the importance of focusing on both the child and the caregiver. Building a strong connection with the caregiver is vital for effective therapy as they play a key role in implementing strategies and supporting the child's development. Focus more on connecting the caregiver and child vs. your connection with the child. Want to learn more about parent coaching? Check out this post!
Therapeutic use of self
Understand the impact of your presence and engagement in the therapeutic process. Be mindful of your actions, language, and demeanor to create a positive and supportive environment.
Listening to the parents
Actively listen to the parents, empathize with their experiences, and validate their efforts. Recognize that each parent is doing their best and acknowledge their unique challenges. Focus your outcomes and interventions on meaningful and functional activities for their family.
Meet the parents where they are at
Tailor your approach to the parents' current understanding and abilities. Avoid imposing unrealistic expectations and work collaboratively to support their progress.
Have the family return demo and practice
Encourage active participation by involving the family in demonstrations and practice sessions during your visits. This hands-on approach enhances their confidence in implementing therapeutic strategies when you're not present.
Know typical development
Share your expertise on typical child development with the family. This knowledge provides a foundation for setting realistic expectations and goals. Need more help in this area? Check out this Ultimate Guide of Resources for Early Intervention professionals.
Go bagless
Minimize reliance on external materials and encourage the use of everyday items during therapy. This promotes consistency in practicing strategies when you're not present. Plus, you won’t have upset kiddos when you leave your visit.
Co-regulation is important
Educate the family on the significance of co-regulation in fostering a positive caregiver-child relationship. Demonstrate and explain how to effectively model and encourage this skill.
Find out what the family already knows
Assess the family's existing knowledge and experiences related to therapy. Tailor your approach based on their understanding to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
You are not there to fix anything
Emphasize that therapy is not about fixing problems but rather facilitating attachment and attunement between the caregiver and child. Shift the focus towards understanding and supporting the family's unique dynamics.
Praise your families
Acknowledge and celebrate the positive aspects of the family's efforts. Providing praise reinforces their strengths and encourages continued engagement in the therapeutic process.
Don't go in with an agenda
Approach each visit with an open mind. Listen to the family's concerns and prioritize their needs rather than following a predetermined agenda. This fosters a more collaborative and responsive therapeutic approach.
Understand adult learning principles
Recognize that adults learn differently from children. Tailor your communication and teaching methods to align with adult learning principles, ensuring that information is absorbed and retained effectively.
Problem solve with families
Collaboratively address challenges by involving the family in problem-solving. Engage them in finding solutions, as they are more likely to implement strategies they actively participate in creating.
Before diving into solutions, explore root causes
Take the time to understand the underlying causes of challenges before proposing solutions. This thorough assessment ensures that interventions address the root issues rather than just the symptoms.
It's okay to say you don't know
Embrace humility and honesty. If you don't have an immediate answer, express your willingness to seek information from your network and resources. This transparency builds trust and rapport with the family.
Reflect on your visits
Regularly reflect on your interactions and interventions. Identify areas for improvement and focus on refining your skills over time. Continuous reflection contributes to professional growth.
Find a mentor or community
Seek guidance and support from experienced peers or mentors. Building a community for reflection and growth enhances your ability to navigate challenges and improve your therapeutic approach.
Listen and pause more, talk less
Embrace the collaborative nature of therapy and refine your skills in asking open-ended questions that empower families to think critically about solutions.
Each child and family is unique
Tailor your recommendations to the specific needs and characteristics of each child and family. Recognize and appreciate their uniqueness, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy.
What would you add to this list?
Revisit this list as you need inspiration, but please don't stress about needing to be perfect!
All these principles will become ingrained as you spend more time working in Early Intervention.
However, my number one tip for all new EI practitioners is to find your community and seek support often. This is where the growth happens!
If you’re looking for mentorship and community to help your proficiency with these tips, check out these 2 programs designed just for Early Intervention therapists:
Early Intervention Bootcamp
This 6-week group mentorship program was designed to help new-to-the-field Early Intervention OTPs transform into confident practitioners ready to step into clients' lives knowing where and how to start making an impact. It focuses on teaching a parent coaching model of intervention and gives practical tips, resources, handouts, and video examples of EI sessions to fast track success and lessen the overwhelm. There are also weekly group Zoom calls to deepen understanding, master the application of new learning, and troubleshoot each participant’s questions and caseloads.
The Therapy Village
A yearly membership program providing EI-focused CEUs, discussions, time-saving resources, parent handouts, and a community for Early Intervention professionals to share knowledge and provide support to one another.
Early Intervention is such a unique and exciting field. As Early Intervention therapists, the work we do can have lifelong impact for both the family and child.
Sometimes we don’t see the impact in our day-to-day, but trust me it’s there. Hang in there and enjoy the ride!
Are you thinking about transitioning to Early Intervention from another practice setting or want to know more about the role of the OTP in Early Intervention?
Click HERE to take this FREE 1-hour AOTA approved course: Getting Started in Early Intervention
