How to Choose What Fits Your Child

Choosing the “right” therapy isn’t about picking the most intensive model or what’s trending—it’s about matching your child’s developmental profile, your goals, and your family’s rhythm. These expanded subsections give families practical guidance they can immediately use.

1. What Are Your Child’s Goals?

Clarify what you want to see change, grow, or become easier. Goals often fall into these categories:

• Communication (e.g., expanding vocabulary, using gestures, increasing verbal interactions)

• Emotional development (e.g., identifying emotions, reducing overwhelm, increasing flexibility)

• Social connection (e.g., sharing, turn-taking, parallel play)

• Sensory processing (e.g., seeking movement, difficulty with clothing textures)

• Play and learning (e.g., building pretend play, following routines, early problem-solving)

• Daily life skills (e.g., feeding, dressing, transitions)

• Behavioral support (e.g., safety, rigidity, meltdowns)

Clear goals help identify which therapies are most aligned with your child’s needs rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all model.

2. What Is Your Child’s Developmental Style?

Every child learns differently. Consider:

• How they engage:
  Do they learn best through movement, exploration, repetition, visual supports, or social connection?

• How they communicate:
  Are they verbal, nonverbal, gesture-based, AAC users, or still developing early communication cues?

• How they respond to structure:
  Do they thrive with predictable routines, sensory input, playful interactions, or step-by-step tasks?

• How they handle transitions or new people:
  Some therapies are highly structured; others prioritize relationship-building and co-regulation.

Matching therapy to a child’s natural learning style improves engagement and reduces frustration—for everyone.

3. Therapy Matching Guide

This section gives families a practical, “if this is what you’re seeing, consider these supports” roadmap.

Examples:

• If your child is mostly seeking connection but struggles with emotional regulation → try play-based, relationship-focused therapies (FLOORTIME, ESDM, child-led OT).

• If your child has strong visual skills but difficulty with flexible thinking → consider occupational therapy with executive functioning supports or structured cognitive-based interventions.

• If communication is the primary focus → start with speech-language therapy or parent coaching for early communication.

• If safety, impulsivity, or severe dysregulation is the concern → combine OT + a behavioral support model (behavior consultation or parent coaching).

The guide emphasizes options rather than prescriptive rules, honoring family preferences and neurodiversity-affirming practices.

4. What Can Your Family Sustain?

Even the best therapy won’t work if it doesn’t fit your life. Consider:

• Time commitment (weekly, intensive, or seasonal)

• Location (clinic, school, home, virtual)

• Cost and insurance coverage

• Waitlists and accessibility

• Sibling and family schedules

• Your own bandwidth as a caregiver

Families should feel supported, not stretched thin. Sustainable plans lead to better long-term outcomes.

5. Building a Balanced Therapy Plan

Many children benefit from a combination of therapies, but balance matters:

• Avoid overscheduling: rest, play, and family time are therapeutic too.

• Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Choose therapies that reinforce—not compete with—each other.

• Consider starting with one or two core therapies and adding as needed.

• Reassess every 3–6 months as your child grows.

This section helps families avoid burnout and stay aligned with what truly matters.