I suppose the answer is “the more the merrier”.
The intensity and consistency of the intervention matters.
My son’s therapist keeps reminding us that he needs more therapy sessions if possible. It is easy to think that she is only trying to sell more hours and write off the suggestions, but the fact is her advice is based on research results and not to be taken lightly.
Although she constantly remind us that the boy needs a minimum of 30 hours of therapy per week, online reports actually suggested that 40-hour weekly intervention is preferred. Researches had shown that children who receive this minimum amount of intervention are most likely to outgrow their diagnosis and progress to be indistinguishable from typical kids, perhaps even performing better.
Currently, most early intervention programmes for infant and children (EIPIC) supplies a 6-hour week. This is greatly less than the recommended amount. To add up to the recommended number of hours would be an additional 32 hours of private therapy a week, 128 hours of private therapy a month. Let’s say if the private therapist charges $100 an hour, it will mean financial commitment of $12800 per month in private therapy!!!
This means that the scenerio is likely not able to happen for most of our children, as most of us would earn only a fraction of that.
Although we will not be able to afford the recommended amount of therapy, what parents can do is to still engage some private therapy or at least sit in the EIPIC sessions where possible to learn the skills from the therapists and special needs teachers and practise as much with them as possible.
This means that the parent or caregiver who is sitting in, must be one who has time at home to work with the child.
Perhaps this means that someone at home will have to resign to become his designated teacher. Difficult decision as I would attest as this means one salary gone and how to ensure long-term financial security for the child is a constant question we have on mind.
But for me, this is the thought that makes me finally decide: “It is about investing in them now when they are young and hope that they grow as much as possible into an independent adult or continue to work and save up for them but find myself too tired to help them out at the end of a tiresome workday, and they may not grow.”
I chose the former. A struggle but so far the right decision.
Nonetheless, this is just one mother’s thought.
The rule of the thumb is: the more frequent we practise with our children the more they will know the expectations of us on them and perform accordingly. This is actually nothing new in parenting but the consistency is more important in their cases. If possible, share with the other family members what you have learnt and make sure they have the same level of expectation from the boy too.
It may sound like a lot of work for the child but it can be built into our daily lives and make the process as natural as possible. Afterall, looking us in the eye when they are making a request is not only to train their attention, but good manner that any child should have. =)
Disclaimer: This blog is based on one mother’s experience with one child and does not seek to represent any advice from therapist or paediatrician. Please consult your specialist for further advice.
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