Getting Started in EI: Your Initial Visit(s)

re: Getting Started in EI: Your Initial Visit(s)

David Harper — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:30:54 GMT

Nice suggestions, Stephanie.

I interact more with the child at my first session than you do, but I like your idea of doing a lot of observation. That provides a good basis for your work.

One thing I always do is to tell the families that I have only one objective for my first visit: that the child wants me to come back again. If that is accomplished, I have built the foundation I need to start the "real work" on the next visit. Of course, I often get more than that accomplished, but telling the parents that helps to avoid the "Is that all you do?" question!

Please keep up the good work -- it is nice to have this forum.

David

re: Getting Started in EI: Your Initial Visit(s)

Lisa — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:09:47 GMT

I love your idea of observe for the entire first session...and I try to do this, too I observe, talk w/ parent and interact/play with child-I might probe a few things as play...unfortunately I have more than a few parents who have said "Is this ALL you are going to do?" and yes, I told them ahead of time what my plans were...

I also make sure parent has my contact information, review our calendar (I work with pre-k kids so we have more of a school schedule), and ask them if they have any questions--that's a big one...so many parents have questions that they never asked or were too intimidated (or overwhelmed) to ask before.