In this episode, we focus on how we can empower parents and enhance collaboration to achieve a better therapeutic approach. Drawing from our experiences as two mums who have taken our kids to specialists and therapy, we discuss the differences between medical and therapeutic treatments, highlighting that speech and exercise physiology journeys are often long and require ongoing engagement.

To alleviate parents' anxiety, education and open communication are crucial. Aligning education with the value of therapy helps parents understand and engage more positively, which in turn helps them talk more positively to their children about therapy.

For parents whose children are in school and not always present, maintaining engagement can be challenging. Effective strategies include follow-up phone calls, providing fact sheets, using communication books, and sending emails. Being an informed SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist) is key.

Creating supportive partnerships with parents involves:

• Actively listening


• Working together


• Including parents in decision-making


• Being positive


• Demonstrating empathy

Conversely, we undermine these partnerships when we:

• Listen as lip service


• Have a preconceived agenda


• Focus on measurement or standardisation


• Focus solely on the diagnosis

For business owners, marketing can be reframed as education, helping parents understand the value and process of therapy.

Identifying and effectively engaging with parents involves:

• Listening to understand their concerns and needs


• Implementing practical strategies


• Providing education and ensuring comprehension through asking questions


• Maintaining open and honest conversations

Lizzy emphasises the importance of these practices in building strong, collaborative relationships with parents.

For more insights and support, we recommend joining PLA in Emily’s courses or Knowledge Corner or Child Development and Paediatric Programming from Lizzy’s courses. For personalised advice, DM us on Instagram for a 1:1 chat.

Reeder, J., & Morris, J. (2020). Becoming an empowered parent. How do parents successfully take up their role as a collaborative partner in their child’s specialist care? Journal of Child Health Care https://doi.org/10.1177/1367493520910832 [open access]

Join Emily’s PLA Library for parent explanations for language goals

https://www.emilymackie.com.au/pla-library

Join Lizzy’s Course

https://www.lizzydawson.com.au/knowledgecorner