Getting started.
The first months are about building trust, regulation, and small wins. They are not about producing paragraphs.
Before the first session
- Find a practitioner trained in a method you have researched.
- Talk to your loved one about what is going to happen, in age-appropriate language, regardless of what you assume they understand.
- Bring snacks, sensory supports, and patience.
The first few months
Expect a focus on motor skill — pointing accurately, holding posture, sustaining attention. Expect plateaus. Expect surprising moments. Keep a small journal of what worked, what didn't, and what the learner seemed to notice.
At home
A quiet practice spot, the same letterboard the practitioner uses, and short, regular sessions are worth more than long, sporadic ones. Reinforce the practitioner's motor habits — wrong tool, wrong angle, wrong partner posture can all undo good work.