Finger sucking and non-talking 3.5 year old ( venting!!!)

[Inspired by Reggio]

Brights ~ have you found that with using the screening tool as the buffer you are still having parents who gets 'upset'?

I have not had any issues with sharing concerns with a client via the checklist approach ... denial sure but never in a conflicted manner where they are made a ME or anything for example it is more of a 'oh we do not see that at home ~ at home he says all those words just fine' even when the kid is standing beside us earlier that day 'mumbling' words incoherently the parent is 'hearing' what they want to hear cause they are use to the 'incorrect speech' as that kids normal but at least that than leaves me doing the 'oh really well that is good to know he has mastered that in the home setting ~ perhaps it is an environmental issue where it is harder to master that in the group setting as his friends and I struggle to understand him still so we will keep working on that here than and keep you informed of changes ~ if you keep working on clear pronunciation of words at home than hopefully it will help him master them here here too'.

After all we can only lead a horse to water we cannot force them to drink!

[bright sparks]

Brights ~ have you found that with using the screening tool as the buffer you are still having parents who gets 'upset'?

No upset parents at all. When they sign their contract and find out that I do this, they are generally suprised as its not expected for me to do this. It's as though they think I am going above and beyond as its a rarety that providers do this.(obviously because providers don't know that these resources are available.) They are extremely thankful, even the parents who don't seem like they give two hoots. It really skips a lot of stress on my part, worrying how I would word things to people and what their reactions would be. Some parents will then talk more in depth and press me for more information and thats great while others don't say much. I send a copy home with them and keep a copy on file. I then email or send letters home from time to time with regards to "areas needing attention", so they know I haven't forgotten what came up and to let them know that I am working on them with their child and whether or not progress is being made. If the parents aren't enthusiastic about working with me then I just stay focused on the child and give them 100%.