Start with your priorities
Write down two or three everyday situations that matter to your family. Perhaps your child finds it difficult to be understood, join a game or manage a morning routine. You do not need to decide the diagnosis or therapy plan in advance. Specific examples give the professional a clearer starting point.
Ask who will work with your child
Clarify the professional’s role and registration, what they assess, and who provides ongoing sessions. If assistants or interventionists are involved, ask who supervises their work and how progress is reviewed. A clinic name alone does not tell you who delivers a service.
Understand how goals are chosen
Ask how the clinician learns about your child’s strengths, interests, communication and comfort. Discuss how your priorities and the child’s preferences are considered. Ask what happens if an activity causes distress or a goal no longer feels useful.
Compare the complete commitment
Consider assessment fees, ongoing appointments, report costs, travel, caregiver involvement and written cancellation terms. Ask when the plan will be reviewed and how you can raise questions. There is no single package that is right for every child.
Make the next conversation concrete
You might ask: “What would an assessment explore for this concern?” or “How will we decide what to work on first?” You can request clarification before agreeing to care. The first inquiry is a conversation about fit, not a commitment to a long programme.
Helpful next steps
About this guide
General parent information from Clover Creek Therapy. It is not a clinical assessment or an individual treatment recommendation. No named clinical review is claimed.