We will talk about your concerns. I will ask you for background information and will start an assessment.
What do I tell my child about the first session?
You could use this script for a preschooler:
• We have a visitor today.
• Jeanette will come and play.
• Mummy will talk too.
• We get to look at books and toys.
• It will be fun.
You could use this script for a child in Kinder to Year 2:
• We have a visitor tomorrow.
• Jeanette will come and do work with you.
• Jeanette is a Speech Pathologist, that’s like a teacher.
• Her job is to make fun activities for us – to do good talking, listening, explaining, reading, writing (choose the relevant issue)
• She will bring books to look at and games for practising what we learn.
• We will sit at the kitchen table together.
• Jeanette will do some activities with you.
• She has to find out what is too easy, and what is too hard for you…and what is just right.
• She has to find out what kind of things you like doing – to make fun activities.
• She will help you. And, she will listen to what you think.
• Jeanette will talk to me too. Then we make a plan.
You could use this script for an older child a day in advance of your appointment:
• We have a Speech Pathology appointment tomorrow with Jeanette.
• Jeanette works with kids to help with talking, listening, explaining, reading, and writing (choose the relevant issue).
• Her job is to make enjoyable activities for us for talking, listening, explaining, reading, writing (choose the relevant issue).
• She does home visits, so she will come to our house tomorrow at (time).
• I will be here too. I can sit with you, or I can be in the background.
• Jeanette will do some work with you at the kitchen table.
• She has to work out exactly what our goals will be.
• She will help you and listen to your point of view.
• Jeanette will talk to me too.
• Then we make a plan about what we will do next.
