Before we jump in and start helping a client, we need to get a good understanding of 1) the client's and family's goals, 2) what they have already tried and learned, and 3) what their daily life and routine are like. Only with this information, can we help clients develop strategies that are appropriate, effective, and functional. The questionnaires below can be given or sent to the client/parent and completed before the session, or the questionnaire can be administered via interview with the client and parent.
By using the information gathered from the questionnaires, we can work with the client to develop appropriate and functional goals. Once the goals have been established, we will discuss which evidence-based strategies are likely to be the best fit for an individual client's profile, routine, and goals. When first beginning with a client, we can't be sure where this path will lead, so we need to be knowledgeable about many possible pathways. The sections below outline a variety of pathways. Please familiarize yourself with the material below and feel free to print out any/all of the documents and keep them in a binder that you can bring to the therapy room with you. THE STRATEGIES BELOW ARE THE CONTENT OF WHAT WE WILL BE TEACHING. YOU MUST KNOW THIS INFORMATION.
If a specific strategy needs to be taught, we will explain the strategy, model the strategy, and have the parent and/or child practice the strategy with us while we provide feedback. The following week we will check in to see how the strategy is working and see if we need to clarify anything or practice a bit more. If the strategy was not a good fit for the client, we will try an alternative. Once a strategy has been successfully taught and implemented by the client, we can move on to the next goal and start the process over again.
Read and overview of effective study strategies here. These videos also lay out some very helpful general strategies. Important components of effective studying include
Creating a routine for studying is critical. The routine must be something that family can actually carry out and must become a regular part of the overall routine. If the family needs suggestions, the ideas in the documents below maybe helpful.
Despite the conventional wisdom, it is okay-and even helpful- to take frequent breaks during studying. The Pomodoro technique is a system for staying focused for manageable amounts of time. Learn more with the links below.
Reading strategies for textbooks can be found here.
The quality of a student's notes determines the quality of studying that can be done with them. Certain note-taking strategies can also make studying more efficient. For this reason, it is important to review the client's current note-taking strategies and teach evidence-based strategies when appropriate.
Every student's brain has its strengths and natural tendencies. Rather than fight those tendencies, we want to help our clients figure out what they are and help them build on them. This link can help us understand non-linear thinking and think about ways to leverage it.
Concept Mapping can help students study certain kinds of information. It is an appropriate method
a. When a course can be organized by topics or concepts.
b. When knowing a structure, system, operation process, or sequence of events is integral to understanding course material.
a. When summarizing, outlining, or otherwise reducing content for an exam.
Self-testing is one of the most effective ways to learn. Flashcards are a low-tech way to test oneself, but there are also a variety of apps that can cutdown on the time spent writing out questions and answers on flashcards. Clients can take the questions and answers created using the Cornell Note-taking system and/or the SQ4R system and put them on flashcards.
Find test-taking strategies here.