As a parent, you are your child’s most important advocate. When your child begins therapy—whether it’s occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy or a combination of services—you’re entering into a partnership with professionals who are here to support your family’s unique journey.

At FOCUS Therapy in Fort Myers, FL, we believe that open communication between parents and therapists isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. The best outcomes happen when families feel empowered to ask questions, share observations, and actively participate in their child’s care. Yet many parents tell us they’re not sure what to ask or worry about “bothering” the therapy team.

Here’s the truth: There are no silly questions. Your insights about your child are invaluable, and your concerns deserve to be heard. To help you make the most of your partnership with your therapy team, we’ve put together ten important questions every parent should feel comfortable asking—not just at the beginning, but throughout your child’s therapy journey.

1. “What are we working toward, and how will we know when we get there?”

Every therapy journey should have a destination. Ask your child’s therapist to explain both the short-term and long-term goals for your child in language that makes sense to you. What specific skills are you targeting? How will you measure progress? Understanding the “why” behind each activity helps you recognize growth and reinforces goals at home.

Follow-up questions to consider:

• How long do you anticipate it will take to reach these goals?
• What does success look like for my child specifically?

2. “How can I support my child’s therapy goals at home?”

Therapy doesn’t end when the session is over. The most meaningful progress often happens through everyday moments—mealtime, bedtime routines, playtime, and more. Your therapist can suggest simple, practical ways to integrate therapy strategies into your daily life without it feeling like “homework.”

This might look like special games, positioning tips, communication strategies, or sensory activities that fit naturally into your family’s routine.

3. “Can you explain what you’re doing and why?”

Therapy activities might look like “just playing,” but there’s always intentionality behind what we do. Don’t hesitate to ask your therapist to break down the purpose of specific exercises or interventions. Understanding the reasoning helps you become a more effective partner in your child’s care.

For example, that obstacle course isn’t just fun—it might be building motor planning, bilateral coordination, and body awareness. That bubble activity? It could be targeting oral motor skills, breath control, and turn-taking.

4. “What challenges or behaviors are you seeing, and how should I handle them at home?”

Your child may behave differently in therapy than they do at home (or vice versa). Regular conversations about what your therapist observes can help you both piece together patterns and develop consistent strategies.

Maybe your child is demonstrating frustration tolerance during challenging tasks, or perhaps they’re avoiding certain sensory experiences. These observations are valuable data points that help everyone on the team support your child more effectively.

5. “Is my child making progress? What does that look like?”

Progress isn’t always linear, and sometimes it’s measured in ways you might not expect. Some weeks might show big leaps forward, while others focus on maintaining skills or working through challenges. Ask for specific examples of progress—no matter how small—so you can celebrate wins together.

If progress seems slow or stalled, this is also an important conversation to have. Your therapist can explain what might be happening and whether adjustments to the treatment plan are needed.

6. “Are there any concerns I should be aware of?”

Sometimes therapists notice things that might benefit from additional attention—whether it’s a consultation with another specialist, a need for adaptive equipment, or a recommendation for additional services. Creating an open dialogue means you’ll be informed about any concerns early, allowing you to make proactive decisions for your child.

This question also goes both ways—make sure your therapist knows about any concerns YOU have, whether they’re related to therapy or not.

7. “How do you collaborate with my child’s other providers and teachers?”

Most children receiving therapy benefit from multiple services or have therapists working alongside teachers and medical providers. Ask how your therapy team communicates with these other professionals. Are they sharing progress reports? Coordinating goals? Ensuring consistency across environments?

At FOCUS Therapy, we believe in a truly multidisciplinary approach, where different specialists work together rather than in silos. Understanding how this collaboration happens gives you confidence that everyone is on the same page.

8. “What can I do when my child is resistant or having a tough day?”

Every child has off days, and sometimes therapy can feel challenging or frustrating. Rather than pushing through or giving up, ask your therapist for specific strategies to support your child through these moments—both during sessions and at home.

This might include calming techniques, motivational strategies, ways to break tasks into smaller steps, or signs that it’s time for a break. These tools are invaluable for building resilience and helping your child learn to work through challenges.

9. “Should we adjust our therapy frequency or focus?”

Your child’s needs will evolve over time. Maybe they’ve mastered certain skills and are ready for new challenges. Perhaps they’re going through a transition that requires more support. Or maybe your family’s schedule has changed.

Don’t be afraid to initiate conversations about whether the current therapy plan still fits. This might mean increasing or decreasing frequency, shifting focus areas, adding or transitioning out of certain services, or trying new approaches.

10. “What should I do if I have concerns between sessions?”

Life happens between therapy appointments, and questions or concerns will inevitably arise. Ask your therapy team about their preferred communication method and response timeframe. Is it okay to send a quick email? Should you call the front desk? Is there a parent portal?

Knowing how and when to reach out removes barriers to communication and ensures you get the support you need when you need it.

Building Your Partnership

Remember, asking questions isn’t about doubting your therapy team’s expertise—it’s about building a stronger partnership. The best pediatric therapists welcome your questions because they understand that informed, engaged parents are crucial to a child’s success.

At FOCUS Therapy, we encourage families to think of these questions as conversation starters, not a one-time checklist. Your child will grow and change, challenges will emerge, and victories will be celebrated. Through it all, maintaining open, honest communication ensures that everyone—parents, therapists, and most importantly, your child—is working toward the same goals.

Your voice matters. Your observations are valuable. Your questions deserve thoughtful answers. So speak up, stay curious, and know that we’re here to support not just your child, but your entire family.

FOCUS offers Fort Myers speech therapy, ABA therapy, occupational therapy, and ADOS testing. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.

Additional Resources:

How Long Does Fort Myers Speech Therapy Take? Setting Realistic Expectations.