Home Practice Matters

Service disruptions happen—school staffing shortages, schedule changes, illness, or system-wide interruptions can pause therapies such as ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or Floortime. While these breaks can feel discouraging, they do not have to derail your child’s progress.

Parents can—and should—know what their child is working on in therapy. Understanding goals, strategies, and supports allows families to continue learning at home, not only during interruptions, but every day. This isn’t about replacing therapy; it’s about strengthening it.

The home environment offers natural, meaningful opportunities for learning. Daily routines, play, and shared moments create low-pressure spaces where children feel safe, regulated, and connected. Even a few minutes of intentional practice can reinforce skills, support generalization, and deepen parent–child bonds.

Research shows that parent involvement leads to faster progress and improved communication, behavior, and relationships at home (Oono et al., 2013; ASHA, 2008).

Your involvement is not just helpful—it’s powerful.

I support families by reviewing the therapies their child is receiving, helping them evaluate effectiveness, select approaches that truly fit their child, and implement strategies at home in ways that feel manageable and respectful. When parents feel confident and informed, consistency improves across settings.

 WORKS CITED

— Oono, I. P., et al. (2013). Parent-mediated early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders (Cochrane Review)

— American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Parent involvement in intervention