Does your child participate in therapy sessions in an office outside of your home? While therapy has traditionally been hosted at a therapist’s residence or office building, it’s becoming more common for professionals to visit homes.
If you haven’t considered this option yet, here are several benefits for you and your child.
- Kids with autism do better with in-home therapy
Generally speaking, most kids with autism will get better results from therapy sessions at home. For example, in-home ABA therapy provided by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst allows kids to remain in a familiar, comfortable environment. Many kids feel uncomfortable and anxious in unfamiliar environments and have a hard time opening up to strangers. It takes them time to adapt to new environments and warm up to people they’ve just met.
Having a familiar routine and knowing what to expect are critical for kids with autism. Stress and anxiety levels tend to rise when situations are unpredictable. Although receiving therapy outside the home can become a familiar routine, it will take a while to reach that point.
If you have a child with autism, getting them in-home therapy will greatly support their success because they won’t have to deal with the uncertainties that come with leaving the house for sessions with a stranger. They’ll start to get results faster this way.
- In-home therapy saves time
Depending on what your child needs, you might have to drive a long distance to see a therapist in their office. It’s not unheard of for parents to drive upwards of fifty miles for an appointment, but even shorter trips can be difficult to fit into a busy schedule.
If you work, your time is limited. You only have so much time on weekday evenings, and not all therapists are available on the weekends. It might only be a 30-minute drive, but it can take much longer to get ready. By the time the appointment is done, you will have spent about three or more hours.
Getting a therapist to see your child at your home means you only need to be available for the duration of the therapy session. If it’s an hour long, then you only need to carve out an hour from your day.
- Therapists can play with your children more
Sometimes, for younger kids, part of therapy involves playing. This can include playing with toys or role playing without any props. Sometimes play therapy requires using specific toys.
Naturally, kids will have their favorite toys and it can be difficult to get them to play with anything else. It’s not always practical to bring your child’s favorite toys to a therapy appointment, and they might not like what’s in the office. This can put a damper on playtime therapy.
When you get in-home therapy sessions, playtime won’t be restricted because of a lack of interest in the toys. The therapist can initiate play using your child’s favorite toys if that’s what it takes to get them to engage.
- Rescheduling is easy
Imagine having to reschedule a therapy appointment an hour’s drive away. If you need to get a babysitter or take time off work just to take your child to see their therapist, you don’t really have the option of rescheduling. Unfortunately, there’s always a possibility that you’ll need to shift around appointment times and dates.
When your child receives in-home therapy, rescheduling will be easier. You might need to take more time off work, but it won’t be excessive since you won’t need to drive anywhere. You also won’t need to worry about hiring a babysitter for your other children.
- Your child can go straight to bed if needed
Therapy sessions can be exhausting for some kids, and when they’re already at home, they can just crawl in bed for a nap or go to sleep for the night. You won’t have to deal with trying to get sleepy kids out of the car and into the house after a long drive home.
Is in-home therapy right for your child?
Most parents find in-home therapy to be ideal when provided by the right person. Everyone’s needs vary, so the key is to find a qualified therapist who creates rapport with your child.
If you’re worried about the cost of in-home therapy compared to visiting an office, consider the value you’re getting. You don’t have to drive anywhere, you’ll save time, and your child will be more comfortable. When you’re short on time and your child does better in familiar spaces, in-home therapy might be just what you need.