initial parent conferences

Initial Parent Conferences

1. Begin with some positive, enthusiastic comments about your observations of and interactions with the child. E.g., what positive feelings does the child engender in you? what contributions do you see the child making to the classroom? etc.

2. For parents whose children have been previously enrolled in therapy at DSHS, ask about what has occurred during the break, and in particular any progress the parents have observed.

3. Ask about other intervention and social activities the child is participating in outside of the DSHS or any that are planned for the semester.

4. Consider your informal assessment guidelines, and what you have had opportunities to observe during therapy. Are there things you have not been able to observe that parents could provide some information about? (Prioritize! You don’t want to bombard parents with questions).

5. Ask what the parents would like to see their child achieve during the semester.

6. Ask if there are ways we could be helpful to parents and/or other professionals working with the child--e.g., providing copies of daily progress notes, printed information related to communication development or disorders, consulting on home programs, arranging for ear checks with our audiologists, etc.

7. Conclude the conference with statements conveying your enthusiasm about working with the child during the semester, and an invitation to speak to you any time regarding what’s happening at home and any concerns they may have.