# How do I work well with my child's therapy team?

> Sharing what you know, setting goals together, asking good questions and keeping supports the same at home.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/working-with-your-therapy-team
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-28

**Short answer:** You know your child best, and therapists know their field. Share your child's strengths, what's hard and what matters most to your family. Agree a few clear goals, ask how you'll know if things are working, and ask for simple ways to practise at home. Using the same pictures and words at home and in therapy helps skills carry over. It's OK to say when something doesn't feel right.

**Key takeaways**
- **You know your child best.** Share it.
- Agree a few **clear goals** together.
- Ask for **simple ways to practise** at home.
- Keep **pictures and words** the same everywhere.

## What should I share with therapists?

Your child's strengths and interests, what's hard, what calms them, what you've tried, and what matters most to your family right now. Parents are part of the team, and parent-implemented strategies are an evidence-based practice.[1]

## What questions should I ask?

| Topic | Ask |
| --- | --- |
| Goals | What are you working on, and why? |
| Progress | How will we know it's working? |
| Home | What's one thing I can do in daily routines? |
| Consistency | Which pictures and words do you use? |
| Your child | How does my child seem during sessions? |

## How do I keep things consistent at home?

**Try:**
- Using the same visual supports
- Using the same key words
- Sharing what happened at home

**Skip:**
- Different systems in every place
- Turning every moment into therapy

Different types of therapy can help different needs.[2] See [What therapies and supports help autistic children?](https://theautismkit.com/guides/autism-therapies-and-supports)

**Trust your instincts.** If your child seems very distressed or something doesn't feel right, raise it. You're allowed to ask questions and to
  change providers.

Free printable: [Free printable: appointment notes](https://theautismkit.com/printables/appointment-notes.pdf)

## What can I do this week?

- [ ] Write down your top 3 goals
- [ ] Ask which pictures and words they use
- [ ] Ask for one thing to try at home

## Common questions

### What if I disagree with a therapist?

Say so and ask them to explain their reasons. Good therapists welcome questions. You can ask for a second opinion.

### How much should I do at home?

A little, often. Ask for one or two things to practise in everyday routines, not extra homework.

### What signs suggest therapy isn't a good fit?

Your child seems very distressed, goals don't make sense to you, or you're not allowed to observe or ask questions.

## Sources

1. National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice: Research and resources (parent-implemented intervention). https://ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/research-and-resources/
2. CDC: Treatment and intervention for autism spectrum disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/treatment/index.html

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.