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Recovery and Outcome from Acquired Brain Injury

15 Tips for Professionals Working With Parents

  1. Set aside specific times during the day to work with your child. Let these be consistent times for you and your child alone.
  2. Start with short work periods and gradually increase the time. A good rule is to stop when your child is at the peak of success.
  3. Remove the child from distractions, such as radios, TVs, windows and other children.
  4. Organize the work space. Provide dividers, card files, labels, lists, etc. to help sort items and sequence evidence.
  5. Be as objective and patient as you can. Speak in a quiet but firm voice.
  6. Make commands or directions short and simple.
  7. Help your child sequence steps in a task.
  8. Your child may need help starting the first step.
  9. If the level of a task is too difficult for your child, move to an easier level. Then come back to the first level. You may need to demonstrate what you want the child to do and cue them at first. Be aware that performance is variable and what the child was successful at yesterday or this morning may be difficult now.
  10. Praise your child for even the smallest success.
  11. Listen to your child. Clarify the information when needed.
  12. Be aware of your child's level of development and abilities. Avoid using tasks that are too easy. Tasks should be challenging enough to hold the child's interest, without producing frustration.
  13. Be aware of the child's speed of processing (how quickly he hears and understands what you say to him or what he reads).
  14. When your child is capable of doing a task, gently insist that he complete it.
  15. Most importantly, be easy on yourself! Accept your limitations. You cannot handle everything at once. Sometimes you will not have the patience to work with your child. Sometimes you will feel like giving up. Ask for help. Talk with other parents and professionals. Remember: Ultimately, you are the parents, not the therapist.

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