HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR CHILD’S THERAPY IS WORKING AND WHAT TO DO IF IT’S NOT

We’ve been going for three months. Shouldn’t he be talking by now?

Every session costs so much! I need to see results now.

All I see the therapist do is play with him. I feel like we're wasting time.

A joyful child holds colorful blocks, smiling alongside a therapist that is clapping hands.

Parents paying for speech, occupational, or behavioural therapy for their child might have whispered these words to themselves at night at one point or another or probably voiced out concerns stylishly to their child’s therapist.

It’s normal!

Good therapy isn't magic, and it doesn’t fix everything overnight, but it should bring small, clear signs that your child is moving forward. In this blog post, we will address the following questions:

How can you tell if all the time, money, and hope you’re investing in your child is paying off?
What does progress really look like?
How can you track therapy progress while still going about everyday activities?
What questions can you ask your therapist to ensure things are on track?
What can you do if you suspect things aren’t working?
When and how can you speak up?

WHAT DOES “PROGRESS” REALLY MEAN?

Progress is when there is an improvement or a positive change in your child. For children with speech delays, autism, or developmental concerns, progress may seem small and steady and not sudden. However, it is still progress.

You may not wake up to your child having back-and-forth conversations or reciting ABCs overnight, but you might notice:

More eye contact.
Trying to imitate sounds, gestures, or words.
Following simple instructions more often.
Less frustration or fewer meltdowns.
More interest in people, toys, or play.
Using new words or signs, even if they’re not clear yet.

These tiny wins show that therapy is laying foundations in the brain, and with continued support, love, and time, you will see bigger progress.

Progress doesn't always mean talking immediately.

For a child with autism, the first signs of progress might not be speech. It could be:

Sitting still for 2 minutes.
Tolerating touch or textures they hated before.
Playing with toys in new ways.
Taking turns during games.

However, these tiny progresses are huge steps because they open the door to future language and learning. Each of these steps is a cascade to learning adaptive skills and gaining independence.

Two children drawing indoors while holding markers.

HOW TO TRACK THE PROGRESS OF YOUR CHILD?

You don’t need fancy charts or do the tedious work of being in your child’s face 247. We recommend a short review every 4-6 weeks to revisit goals, share what’s working at home, and tweak what isn’t. Your child’s plan shouldn’t feel secret. You are a team member and not just a bystander.

You can try these three ways instead, and you will be glad you did:

Write down 3-5 goals
Many parents feel shy to question therapists. Meanwhile, asking respectful questions isn’t rude; instead, it’s your child’s right! At the start of therapy, you can ask your therapist:
-          What are our top goals this month?
-          How will I know if we’re meeting them?”
-          Write them down in plain language like “He/She will sit for circle time for 5 minutes”, “Will say ‘mama’ or ‘ball”.
Watch out for small wins weekly.
Set aside 5 minutes every Saturday/Sunday to jot down what you've seen about your child. Did he do something new? Did an old behaviour change? Did you feel less stressed doing activities with her?
Celebrate even a little progress.
Every step forward matters. Praise your child. Praise yourself. Praise the process.

WHAT IF THERE’S NO PROGRESS AT ALL?

Sometimes you might feel stuck and not sure if therapy is working and not just a waste of time.

Here are four signs to look out for that show the therapy may not be working:

Weeks go by with zero change in skills or behaviour.
Your child cries excessively or resists sessions every time.
The therapist doesn’t explain goals or track them.
You feel shut out of the process with no feedback and no collaboration.

However, you don’t have to panic. Since sometimes progress stalls because:

1. The method isn’t a good fit for your child.

2. There’s not enough consistency at home, schools, and other areas where the child is engaged.

3. Your child might be unwell, stressed, or transitioning.

4. The goals are too big or unrealistic to attain.

A therapist and parent sitting on a couch engaged in tracking a child's progress.

WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU FEEL THERE IS NO PROGRESS IN YOUR CHILD’S THERAPY

1. Talk to your therapist.

A good therapist won’t feel attacked but rather ask questions that will facilitate progress, like:

What do you think is slowing us down?
Should we try a different approach?

2. Be honest about what you're doing at home.

Many skills need daily practice at home. If life got busy and you couldn’t follow through, just say so. You aren’t a bad mother/father because of a lapse. Your therapist can help adjust routines that are easy to abide by and also foster your child's progress without being overwhelming for you.

3. Request a team review.

Sometimes another therapist’s eyes can help catch things overlooked. For example, speech therapy may need behavioural support too. A new assessment may find underlying medical or sensory issues that might be affecting your child’s progress.

SHOULD YOU EVER STOP THERAPY?

Stopping your child’s therapy sessions is sometimes necessary, but it is better to always plan it carefully. Ask important questions, like if you are seeing no results because the method isn’t right. If you should try another therapist or centre instead of total cancellation, or if your child just needs a break for now.

You don’t have to feel guilty for your decisions. Remember that your child’s needs come first.

CONCLUSION

Don’t forget that no therapy works alone.

Research shows that parent involvement doubles the benefit. Hence, when parents repeat, model, and praise, children learn faster. So, even 15 minutes daily of repeating a new word, playing a new game, or using a picture card, they all add up to the progress of your child. So don’t sit in silence, don’t feel bad for asking, and don’t be afraid to adjust the plan.

Your child’s brain can grow and learn. While your questions help make sure the right seeds are planted in their brain.

Do you have questions that have been bothering you regarding your child's therapy progress? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Nuture-CDC. We’re here to help you see the progress you hope for. Click here.

REFERENCES

Keen, D., Couzens, D., Muspratt, S., & Rodger, S. (2010). The effects of a parent-focused intervention for children with a recent diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder on parenting stress and competence. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4(2), 229–241.

National Research Council. (2001). Educating children with autism. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Zwaigenbaum, L., Bauman, M. L., Choueiri, R., Kasari, C., Carter, A., Stone, W. L.& Wetherby, A. (2015). Early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder under 3 years of age: Recommendations for practice and research. Pediatrics, 136(S1), S60–S81.