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Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Double the Fun!!!

Happy Tuesday & Happy November!! I just started visits with a new family who has a set of twins. I have previously worked with countless sets of multiples as they have a high rate of premature birth, therefore automatically qualifying them and their families for early intervention services (yay for EI!). I wanted to share some strategies and thoughts that I often share with parents with you all. Please enjoy and feel free to add your experiences and/or effective strategies used when working with multiples and their families as well J #thankGODformultiples #themorekiddosthemorefun #doublethespeech&language

1.     Scheduling: I like to try and schedule back to back sessions on the same day, however, ask the family which is best to do (same day or different days), as it may be too big of a time block and too much information and steps during coaching for the parent to remember for two or three separate kiddos.

2.     Individuality is Key: I always remind and strongly encourage parents to try not to compare language skills & development or development in general (I know this MUST be extremely difficult). Each child should have separate outcomes and strategies to reach those outcomes, as it had been my experience that one child always requires a bit more attention, time and prompting than the other. Also, encourage parents to not allow one kid to answer for the other; this is also difficult. EI providers & caregivers during sessions: consistently use individual names and “your turn/____________(name of kiddo's) turn”.

3.     Inclusion: As an early intervention provider, it is our job to promote language learning in the most natural form and environment, which means more than likely the other sibling/s will be present as well as the caregiver/s. This is the perfect opportunity to practice turn taking and help build on skills through models (using the stronger language model and encouraging caregivers to model). Encourage the family to imitate these activities and routines throughout the week, providing a protocol and specific examples of language learning opportunities. Be specific to activities routines of high interest and incorporate individual needs and interests.


4.     Behavior: It’s also been my experience that the more kiddos incorporated into the session the more behaviors (desired & undesired) are displayed as well. The strategy that has been most effect is encouraging the parent to parallel an activity of interest for the other kiddo, while practicing the outcome of whoever’s session it is within the routine or activity while in the same room. This way everyone is busy as well as getting individual attention, which seems to decrease the behaviors. Also, any activity involving movement (going to the park, jumping on the trampoline, dance parties, yoga, etc.) helps to expel energy, wiggles, and the burning desire for attention.

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