So I Just Received My Child's Behaviour Support Plan or Therapist Report... Now What?

As a parent of a neurodiverse child, particularly one with autism or ADHD, receiving a behavior support plan or therapist report can be a pivotal moment. It's natural to feel a whirlwind of emotions – hope, anxiety, perhaps even a touch of fear. But remember, this document isn't just a clinical assessment; it's a roadmap to understanding and supporting your unique, wonderful child better. Let's dive into how to approach this with a positive mindset and make the most of this valuable information. Please remember that this is just my personal experience, I am not an allied health professional. Just a parent who has been on this journey for a few years now. 

1. Create a Positive Space:

Before you even open that report, take a moment for yourself. This is a practice I've developed over time, and it's been transformative. Grab a notebook and write down:

• 5 things you love about your child
• 5 things your child loves about themselves- Get them to do this with you. 
• At least 5 things your child excels at

This exercise isn't just feel-good fluff – it's grounding. It reminds us of the whole person our child is, beyond any diagnosis or behavioral challenge. It sets a positive tone for reviewing the report and helps combat the sometimes clinical nature of these documents. It is also important to remember that most of the time your child's therapist is writing these reports from one of two different lenses. 1. To gain additional supports & funding or to have their support budget plan, renewed. 2. Through the lense of their diagnosis at its worst. Sometimes, even a combination of the two. These reports and plans have a purpose. They are not, the whole version of your child. 

2. Take Your Time:

There's absolutely no rush. These reports are often dense with information, and it's crucial to give yourself the time and space to absorb it all. Consider setting aside a quiet hour or two, free from distractions. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, it's okay to take breaks. Some parents find it helpful to read the report in sections over a few days.

3. Review and Highlight:

As you read, have a highlighter or note-taking app ready. Focus on:

• Key observations about your child's behavior
• Specific goals set for your child
• Recommended strategies and interventions
• Any terms or concepts you need to research further

This active reading helps you engage with the material and makes it easier to reference later. Don't be afraid to jot down questions as they arise – these will be valuable for follow-up discussions with therapists or educators.

4. Break It Down:

Now, let's make this information actionable. Look at the goals and recommendations. How can you implement these at home? Consider creating a simple action plan:

• List each major goal
• Break down larger goals into smaller, weekly objectives
• Identify specific strategies you can use to support each goal
• Note any resources or materials you might need

Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. It's about progress, not perfection.

5. Consider All Environments:

Your child doesn't exist in a vacuum. Think about how these recommendations apply to different settings:

• Home: How can you adapt your home environment or routines?
• School: What supports might be needed in the classroom?
• Social settings: Are there strategies for playdates or extracurricular activities?
• Community: How can these help during outings or errands?

Each environment might require a slightly different approach, but consistency across settings is key for many neurodiverse children.

6. Identify Support Needs:

Implementing recommendations often requires a team effort. Consider:

• Who needs to be involved? (Teachers, learning support staff, family members)
• What training or resources might you or others need?
• Are there any therapies or interventions suggested that you need to arrange?

Don't hesitate to reach out to your child's support network. Many hands make light work, and a collaborative approach often yields the best results.

7. Advocate Confidently:

You are your child's best advocate. Armed with this new information, you may need to:

• Request a meeting with your child's teacher or school's learning support team
• Discuss necessary accommodations or modifications to your child's educational plan
• Possibly engage with higher-level administrators if you feel your child's needs aren't being met

Remember, you have rights. In many countries, there are specific laws protecting the educational rights of children with disabilities or learning differences. Familiarise yourself with these. I won't share these pieces of legislation here, as I am not qualified to break them down for you. Please reach out if you'd like to chat!

8. Involve Your Child:

This step is crucial and often overlooked. Depending on your child's age and understanding, involve them in the process. When I sat down with my 7-year-old to discuss some of the recommendations, I was amazed at his insights.

We talked about:

• What strategies he thought might help him at school
• Tools or fidgets that he felt would support his regulation and ability to focus in the classroom. 
• We re did his reward chart ( this task is a whole topic in itself- maybe another blog post on this to come). We collaborated on the things he feels he is struggling with and how we could turn this into a goal. 
• Rewards are medium term focused. This ensures that the goal is front of mind and the reward is not all that far away.