Are you looking into therapy for your child and wondering how to make it work with a busy schedule? Traditionally, parents have always brought their kids to a therapist’s office for sessions. In the past, this made sense, but today it’s much easier for clinicians to come to your home. This not only benefits you, but it makes therapy easier for your child, too. Don’t want to drive to see a therapist? Here are some of the best reasons to pursue in-home therapy for your child.
- Kids respond better to in-home therapy
Whether your child is seeing a psychologist or getting specialized treatment, like Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, they’ll respond better when the sessions take place at home. If your child is on the autism spectrum, getting in-home ABA sessions will play a crucial role in their success. Kids naturally feel more comfortable in their own home than in a stranger’s office. This reduces the amount of resistance they have to participating in therapy sessions, which ultimately strengthens their success.
- The therapy you need is far away
Common types of therapy are usually accessible in major cities, even if you have to drive a little to get there. However, special therapies can be hard to find and you might have to drive two or more hours to get to an appointment. When you’re working and raising a child, driving that distance every week is a recipe for exhaustion. If the specific therapy your child needs is far away, in-home sessions will serve you well. You won’t have to plan for a long-distance drive, pay for gas, worry about getting your child ready, pack snacks, or deal with breakdowns if your child doesn’t want to go anywhere at the last minute.
- Your confidentiality is better protected
Whenever you visit a therapist’s office, your confidentiality is at risk. A reputable agency will follow all data privacy laws to the letter, but there’s no telling when a security breach might happen. There’s also the matter of other people sitting in on the session and this might make you feel uncomfortable. One of the biggest concerns with attending therapy sessions at an office is being video and audio recorded. This isn’t inherently bad, as sessions are recorded for legitimate reasons. For example, it allows therapists to analyze a child’s behavior in a way that can’t be done in the moment. Recorded therapy sessions are also used to train new clinicians. However, not everyone is okay with being recorded. You should always have the option to opt out of having your sessions recorded, but that might not be enough to give you peace of mind since the video cameras will still be present in the room. If you absolutely do not like the idea of your child’s therapy sessions being recorded on video, even by accident, in-home therapy is a better choice.
- Natural behaviors are more likely to express
When a child is in an unfamiliar environment, they might not be fully themselves. If they’ve learned to alter their behavior, they might put up a front or hide their true feelings, especially if they think therapy is something to conquer in order to be rewarded. This can make it hard for therapists to assess and work with a child where behavior is concerned. On the other hand, when your child remains at home, in their own space, they’re more likely to be themselves and allow their genuine behavior to express. They might still feel the need to impress their therapist, but it’s unlikely to interfere with their assessments.
- The therapist can work with your child’s toys
Even though many kids enjoy playing with new toys, nothing beats the familiar. If you bring your child to an external office, the toys will be unfamiliar and might become a distraction. If your child is attached to a certain type of toy, they might not even show any interest. If part of the session requires playtime, that won’t work. When you get in-home therapy, your child will be surrounded by their favorite toys and their therapist will work with them as they play with what’s familiar and preferred. Make life for you and your child easier with in-home therapy The benefits of getting therapy at home are clear. It’s easier, faster, convenient, and it makes kids feel more comfortable. If you want your child’s therapy to be a success, consider bringing a therapist to your home instead of following the traditional route.