What happens when I need to cancel an appointment?
We have all been there… the day of a planned therapy appointment with a chesty cough, a gunky eye or snot… Sometimes it can be a clash of appointments, tough to manage.
Cancellations are frustrating and we all want to see your child make the most of the session they have booked, even if they are not able to be there in person. There are lots of ways we can work to make sure your child continues to benefit from their therapist’s expertise, even if the in person appointment can’t go ahead!
How can the S+C Team make the most of the appointment time?
Here are some ways the S+C team can make the most of your planned appointment, and ensure your booked appointment time is used well! Feel free to request any of these options the next time your child cannot attend their planned session.
- Develop Tailored Resources
Your therapist can create customised resources aimed at helping your child achieve their goals at home, daycare, or school. These resources may include visual schedules, communication boards, or step-by-step guides designed to assist with daily routines and tasks. Additionally, therapists can utilise this time to modify educational materials from school or design new resources that specifically address your child’s needs.
- Craft Social Stories
Social stories can be a great tool in helping your child comprehend new concepts, manage challenging situations, or prepare for upcoming events. Your therapist can tailor these narratives to reflect your child’s current experiences, whether it’s adapting to a new school year, welcoming a new sibling, or adjusting to changes in their routine.
- Collaborate with Other Professionals
Effective communication and collaboration among all professionals involved in your child’s care can significantly enhance their development. By sharing insights about your child’s progress and effective strategies, therapists, teachers, doctors, and other specialists can ensure a more unified approach across various environments, leading to improved outcomes for your child.
- Prepare Reports and Recommendations
If your child has an NDIS funding package, your therapist can utilise a cancelled session to begin drafting NDIS progress reports or recommendations for the upcoming review. This time can also be dedicated to providing feedback on essential documents, such as contributing to your child’s “All About Me” profile or offering insights for their individual learning plan.
- Exploring Additional Opportunities
Is your child in need of new adaptive equipment? Are you interested in a specific therapy program? Or perhaps you’re seeking local community activities that complement your child’s developmental goals? In these instances, your therapist can dedicate time to researching various options, providing you with informed recommendations and insights.
- Enhancing Parental Skills
Utilising the time for a Zoom session or phone call with your child’s therapist can significantly enhance your skills and empower you to navigate challenges effectively while supporting your child’s development. These conversations can cover strategies for targeting therapy goals at home or brainstorming solutions for areas where your child may be facing difficulties. Additionally, this one-on-one interaction can be an excellent opportunity to discuss new priorities or plan for important transitions in your child’s life.
- Reviewing Goal Progress
Cancelled therapy sessions can serve as a valuable moment to pause and evaluate your child’s progress toward their current goals. This time can facilitate discussions about how your child is advancing, identify any necessary adjustments in strategies, or even assist in planning new goals for the future.
- Upskilling Your Child’s Support Network
The more people who understand your child’s needs, the better they can support them. Your therapist can use this time to provide training or professional development for individuals involved in your child’s daily life, such as therapy assistants, support workers, school staff, and even family members. This collective understanding ensures a cohesive and supportive environment for your child’s growth.
The S+C Team love a chance to discuss these options and what you would like for your child in the case of cancellation ahead of time. By understanding potential activities or topics to explore during a cancellation, we have an understanding of your family priorities and if you are not able to make it to the session, there is a plan in place to maximise the therapeutic time available.
Get in touch to learn more about how to ensure that your child’s therapy continues to be effective, even during unavoidable cancellations.
