When do I need to speak with professionals?
The IEP for Home can only provide general suggestions and general advice. It cannot provide medical or educational advice that’s specific to your child. Be sure to consult with professionals when you are not sure what to do. Professionals who can help include a speech pathologist, a child therapist, or a child psychologist. Professionals at school can sometimes be especially helpful. These include guidance counselor or a general or special education teacher. Parenting courses can be very useful too.
Teaching social skills is important for all children. The child’s disability status does not matter. Even though it’s so important, many adults struggle to teach their child social skills. Look at the situations and suggestions below. See if you can find the right questions to ask. If you know how to ask the right questions, you’re likely to get some good answers.
what help does your child need?
Think about what help your child seems to need the most. Is your child struggling because they are:
Too impulsive? They don’t stop to think before acting? They do the first thing that comes to mind and end up breaking the rules?
Too frustrated? They cannot tolerate it when things do not go their way? They get mad too quickly?
Too anxious or fearful? They get too shy or nervous when they’re supposed to socialize?
Too confused? They are not sure how to play or talk with peers?
There are good strategies that you can use, for each of the four bullets above. Professionals can suggest strategies to:
Teach your child a repair strategy when they make a mistake
Improve your child’s ability to manage their emotions
Teach your child’s peers now to socialize with your child, so that your child is not so fearful
Improve your child’s speaking and listening skills
Who needs help the most?
Does your child need help the most?
Do you need help?
Do your child’s peers need help?
Be sure to consult with professionals to learn about strategies you can use for the situations described above.