Navigating Communication Between Your Child's School and Their Therapy Provider

If your child receives ABA therapy services, maintaining open communication with their school is crucial. Effective communication helps ensure your child gets the support they need to thrive both inside and outside of the classroom. Parents whose children have been diagnosed with autism will need to keep the following in mind when collaborating with schools.

Define Confidentiality 

Discuss ahead of time what information your child's therapy provider can and cannot share with the teacher. Therapy sessions contain sensitive data that should remain private, but goals, tips, and progress can often be communicated to benefit the child. Define confidentiality boundaries upfront with your service provider. 

Schedule Regular Meetings

Try to schedule in-person meetings with your child’s therapy provider and teacher at least once per semester. This gives everyone a chance to discuss goals, share insights, and address any concerns in a collaborative setting. Set expectations for how often you’ll communicate moving forward. Consistent meetings ensure your child's needs remain a priority.

Share Progress Reports

Ask your child’s ABA service provider to share regular progress reports with the teacher. This helps keep the teacher fully informed on skills and behaviors being targeted in treatment. In turn, the teacher can share updates on strengths and challenges at school to drive the direction of therapeutic services. Two-way communication keeps everyone aligned on the same goals.

Use Communication Logs

A daily communication log that goes back and forth in your child's backpack removes reliance on memory. The teacher can jot down quick notes, and the therapy provider can share the latest updates. Review the log each evening for a play-by-play.

Resolve Issues Quickly

When challenges arise, contact both parties ASAP to troubleshoot collaborative solutions. Even small issues can snowball if left unaddressed, so it is important to maintain an open line of communication to allow concerns to be proactively resolved.

Coordinate Accommodations

Make sure therapies and classroom accommodations complement each other. For example, if your child's therapy provider is working on social stories to improve recess engagement, the teacher can implement this strategy too. Alignment reinforces learning.

Solicit Input on IEPs

When it’s time for your child’s IEP, incorporate their ABA service provider’s expert insights whenever possible. Ask for their input on goals and learning objectives well as supports provided at school. Take the time to discuss individualized strategies that have been effective in the clinic setting and determine how they can be carried over into the school environment. 

Frequent communication, clearly defined roles, and mutual understanding between all parties are key to your child's progress. When the school, treatment providers, and parents are on the same page, it eases the path for a child to reach their full potential. Consistent collaboration makes all the difference. At Spectacular Kids ABA Therapy and Consulting, LLC, our primary goal is to provide exceptional early intervention services for individuals diagnosed with autism and related disorders. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help your child.