The Key Role of Strong Relationships in Early Intervention

Establishing rapport with clients of all ages and stages is an important part of being a speech-language pathologist. Taking the time to establish positive relationships in early intervention, however, can pay off in especially big ways. Good connections with children we treat—and with their families and other professionals serving them—can help these young clients meet goals faster. If clients see us as their “big friends,” coming to visit and play with them, we can more easily motivate them. If parents/caregivers see us as professionals, they more likely trust our training and experience to coach, model and work with the whole family to help the child improve communication skills. With other team members, I aim for them to see me as a competent and effective SLP, who respects professional boundaries and supports other professionals who work with the client. Here are some techniques that help me to establish quality relationships with everyone involved: The client Let the child know you like him. Set the child up for success and offer plenty of positive reinforcement. Encourage effort, praise progress, and cheer her on. Have high expectations for behavior and be clear about expectations. Don’t let negative behaviors become an effective means of communication for the child. Use “we” instead of “you” when stating rules and expectations for behavior. “We don’t throw toys,” instead of “You can’t throw toys.” Have fun and be silly. Two-year-old h...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Tags: Speech-Language Pathology Early Intervention Professional Development Source Type: blogs