Is it weird for a speech therapist to ask to meet alone with my 9-year-old right after he begins treatment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I never intervene in the sessions. Ever.

But with how intense and competitive and results-oriented I've heard the DC area is, I'm surprised that parents don't sit in. I'd encourage you to do so.

So many parents seem to bemoan their children's lack of progress. This could be a reason why.

I have been an unapologetic advocate for my child and a savvy consumer.

It just seems *prudent* to sit in unless a child is uncomfortable with a parent in the room. My child is super comfortable with me and with my presence.

Thanks to all posters. It's been interesting.

No, you won’t get me to sit in on my child’s sessions. My kid has been going to speech therapy sessions alone since she was seven. I trust the professional, and I can hear the results in my child’s progress at home.

I’m a teacher. My immediate question is whether your hovering will eventually impede progress. It’s very reasonable (and expected) for a 9 year old to be able to do something without Mom.

I actually find this disrespectful, but I’m sure you don’t see it that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I never intervene in the sessions. Ever.

But with how intense and competitive and results-oriented I've heard the DC area is, I'm surprised that parents don't sit in. I'd encourage you to do so.

You can't be serious.
1. You are equating speech therapy to the competitive rat race in the DC area?
2. Who are YOU to encourage parents to sit in on a therapy session? Leave that recommendation to the professionals.

So many parents seem to bemoan their children's lack of progress. This could be a reason why.

No. You are wrong again.

I have been an unapologetic advocate for my child and a savvy consumer.

A savvy consumer?

It just seems *prudent* to sit in unless a child is uncomfortable with a parent in the room. My child is super comfortable with me and with my presence.

You are probably an impediment to you child's progress. From everything you have posted, you seem insufferable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I never intervene in the sessions. Ever.

But with how intense and competitive and results-oriented I've heard the DC area is, I'm surprised that parents don't sit in. I'd encourage you to do so.

So many parents seem to bemoan their children's lack of progress. This could be a reason why.

I have been an unapologetic advocate for my child and a savvy consumer.

It just seems *prudent* to sit in unless a child is uncomfortable with a parent in the room. My child is super comfortable with me and with my presence.

Thanks to all posters. It's been interesting.

Op you are a nut. I’m going to guess you, and your child’s diagnosis involves an anxiety component.

More importantly, when your child is an adult and needs intense therapy to unpack why they hate their mom, are you going to sit in on those sessions too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I never intervene in the sessions. Ever.

But with how intense and competitive and results-oriented I've heard the DC area is, I'm surprised that parents don't sit in. I'd encourage you to do so.

So many parents seem to bemoan their children's lack of progress. This could be a reason why.

I have been an unapologetic advocate for my child and a savvy consumer.

It just seems *prudent* to sit in unless a child is uncomfortable with a parent in the room. My child is super comfortable with me and with my presence.

Thanks to all posters. It's been interesting.

Op you are a nut. I’m going to guess you, and your child’s diagnosis involves an anxiety component.

More importantly, when your child is an adult and needs intense therapy to unpack why they hate their mom, are you going to sit in on those sessions too?

Of course she is? She wants control, and worse, she doesn’t actually want her child to get better. She wants to play this important role for her entire life.

Can a therapist report a parent for inhibiting a child’s therapy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not weird, but I also don't mind parents sitting in at all.

However, many parents have no idea what an SLP is actually doing because they themselves are not SLPs. If your SLP is reading a book they are not "just reading a book". They could be working on grammar, story telling, articulation, fluency, answering questions, main idea, vocabulary, basic concepts etc.. some people are too quick to judge.

You sound very defensive. Actually, this is what SLP is supposed to communicate: assessment, goals, progress to goals. You should be safe to assume that parents of a 9 yo who needs ST already know something about ST. The reason she wants to sit in is to follow what they are doing and work on same concepts at home. How do you think people look for and evaluate providers? Walk around with a wad of cash waiting for whomever with an appointment available. It's a private service, people do research to understand what they are getting.

[Anonymous]

Op you are a nut. Goodness. Savvy consumer, wtf. Rat race??? Most of us with special needs kids aren’t trying to race the other kids. Just help our kids as best we can. I’m not sure what’s wrong with you but I’d take the time to have my own therapy session if I was this paranoid and controlling. Also if your kid has needed speech this long who are you to attack others progress??? Pot, kettle, wow.

[Anonymous]

As a parent, you need to monitor what is going on both for safety and progress. There is nothing wrong with going into at least the first few sessions and after each session the ST should go over everything with you. Ours had an open-door policy and it wasn't until much later I stopped going in and she'd have me come in the last few minutes to review what they worked on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I never intervene in the sessions. Ever.

But with how intense and competitive and results-oriented I've heard the DC area is, I'm surprised that parents don't sit in. I'd encourage you to do so.

So many parents seem to bemoan their children's lack of progress. This could be a reason why.

I have been an unapologetic advocate for my child and a savvy consumer.

It just seems *prudent* to sit in unless a child is uncomfortable with a parent in the room. My child is super comfortable with me and with my presence.

Thanks to all posters. It's been interesting.

Op you are a nut. I’m going to guess you, and your child’s diagnosis involves an anxiety component.

More importantly, when your child is an adult and needs intense therapy to unpack why they hate their mom, are you going to sit in on those sessions too?

Of course she is? She wants control, and worse, she doesn’t actually want her child to get better. She wants to play this important role for her entire life.

Can a therapist report a parent for inhibiting a child’s therapy?

Real question is if you don't want parents involved, what are YOU hiding?

[Anonymous]

I don't sit on my DS's speech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I never intervene in the sessions. Ever.

But with how intense and competitive and results-oriented I've heard the DC area is, I'm surprised that parents don't sit in. I'd encourage you to do so.

So many parents seem to bemoan their children's lack of progress. This could be a reason why.

I have been an unapologetic advocate for my child and a savvy consumer.

It just seems *prudent* to sit in unless a child is uncomfortable with a parent in the room. My child is super comfortable with me and with my presence.

Thanks to all posters. It's been interesting.

Op you are a nut. I’m going to guess you, and your child’s diagnosis involves an anxiety component.

More importantly, when your child is an adult and needs intense therapy to unpack why they hate their mom, are you going to sit in on those sessions too?

Of course she is? She wants control, and worse, she doesn’t actually want her child to get better. She wants to play this important role for her entire life.

Can a therapist report a parent for inhibiting a child’s therapy?

Real question is if you don't want parents involved, what are YOU hiding?

Establishment of rapport is critical to making the child feel safe and comfortable working on a skill that is hard for them. Having you observe makes things awkward and your child doesn't do as well because the work feels like a performance for you. You are interfering with sessions by observing them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not weird, but I also don't mind parents sitting in at all.

However, many parents have no idea what an SLP is actually doing because they themselves are not SLPs. If your SLP is reading a book they are not "just reading a book". They could be working on grammar, story telling, articulation, fluency, answering questions, main idea, vocabulary, basic concepts etc.. some people are too quick to judge.

You sound very defensive. Actually, this is what SLP is supposed to communicate: assessment, goals, progress to goals. You should be safe to assume that parents of a 9 yo who needs ST already know something about ST. The reason she wants to sit in is to follow what they are doing and work on same concepts at home. How do you think people look for and evaluate providers? Walk around with a wad of cash waiting for whomever with an appointment available. It's a private service, people do research to understand what they are getting.

Wasn't speaking about private practice. So good point. Was speaking about parents attending virtual school speech sessions during the pandemic and then complaining without ever speaking to the SLP. Private vs school is a completely different world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I never intervene in the sessions. Ever.

But with how intense and competitive and results-oriented I've heard the DC area is, I'm surprised that parents don't sit in. I'd encourage you to do so.

So many parents seem to bemoan their children's lack of progress. This could be a reason why.

I have been an unapologetic advocate for my child and a savvy consumer.

It just seems *prudent* to sit in unless a child is uncomfortable with a parent in the room. My child is super comfortable with me and with my presence.

Thanks to all posters. It's been interesting.

Op you are a nut. I’m going to guess you, and your child’s diagnosis involves an anxiety component.

More importantly, when your child is an adult and needs intense therapy to unpack why they hate their mom, are you going to sit in on those sessions too?

Of course she is? She wants control, and worse, she doesn’t actually want her child to get better. She wants to play this important role for her entire life.

Can a therapist report a parent for inhibiting a child’s therapy?

Real question is if you don't want parents involved, what are YOU hiding?

Establishment of rapport is critical to making the child feel safe and comfortable working on a skill that is hard for them. Having you observe makes things awkward and your child doesn't do as well because the work feels like a performance for you. You are interfering with sessions by observing them.

That screams ripe for abuse. Parents can help transition kids and make them feel comfortable and safe. If you think a parent is interfering you should find a new profession.

[Anonymous]

Most pediatrician's offices will meet with a child separately once the child becomes a teenager. Do you think that is appropriate? Or will you try to sit in there as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most pediatrician's offices will meet with a child separately once the child becomes a teenager. Do you think that is appropriate? Or will you try to sit in there as well?

I absolutely go with my teenager. I was molested by a doctor as a teen and I'm not letting that happen to my kid who may not speak up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most pediatrician's offices will meet with a child separately once the child becomes a teenager. Do you think that is appropriate? Or will you try to sit in there as well?

Even with adults whenever undreasing and physical exam is involved there is always a chaperone nurse with the Dr. So no, underage children dont end up 1:1 with a Dr.