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From: Scott
Date: 14 Oct 2012
Time: 19:39:08 -0500
Remote Name: 108.17.124.241
hi Courtney - Thanks so much for your post. This is another great topic. Nina and I both have talked about the value of taking a 'speech vacation' sometimes, when therapy isn't going the way the child needs or wants... We definitely want to work on the child's communication as much as is reasonable, but if things aren't headed in the right direction, due to the child's lack of interest or being overwhelmed or boredom or whatever, then a little break may be just the key. Dr. Edward Conture of Vanderbilt University has said "Sometimes the best therapy is no therapy." I think that this means that sometimes, kids can see how much they might benefit from treatment when they take a little break. They might also find that they're more ready (see prior thready on readiness) if they have a bit of a breather first. I feel that way about a lot of things myself - sometimes I take a break before I tackle something hard, and that helps me have the energy to do what tough. Something to keep in mind, though: in our book, Nina and I talk about making a plan for the speech vacation - it's not just a holiday - it's an opportunity to take constructive action that will help the child get ready to work on his communication again in the future... This way, the break isn't really a break (but don't tell the kid that ;-) ... It's an intentional stage in the broader process of change... If we can help parents understand this, as well, than this helps them get "on board" with the idea... Thanks again for the post! Good luck with your studies! Scott