A first therapy appointment can feel unfamiliar for both children and caregivers. A little preparation can help the therapist understand your child’s needs and make the visit more predictable. You do not need to arrive with every answer or have your child behave in a particular way. Bring useful information, consider what may help your child feel at ease, and note any questions you would like to discuss. The therapist can guide the conversation and explain what happens next.
What to bring
Bring any referral, assessment report, or relevant medical and developmental information you already have. If your child attends school or another support service, notes from those providers may help explain what works well and where your child needs support. You do not need to collect every record before the appointment; ask the clinic what documents are useful and how to share them securely.
Pack familiar comfort items if they help your child settle, such as a favorite small toy, headphones, or a drink bottle. If the appointment includes play or movement, ask whether your child should wear comfortable clothing. Bring any snacks or personal care items your child may need, and check in advance about food, allergies, or other practical considerations.
What to share
Think about what prompted you to seek support and which everyday situations feel hardest for your child. You might describe responses to noise, clothing, grooming, food, transitions, sleep, or busy environments. Share specific examples: what was happening, how your child responded, and what helped. You do not need to label the behavior or explain its cause; clear observations give the therapist a useful starting point.
Tell the therapist about your child’s strengths, interests, communication style, and ways they show comfort or distress. Mention routines, cultural or family considerations, relevant diagnoses, health needs, and any strategies already used at home or school. If your child has particular fears or needs time to warm up, say so. This helps the therapist adjust the pace and environment rather than expecting your child to fit a standard approach.
Questions worth asking
Ask what the first appointment will involve, how long it will last, and whether you will stay with your child. Find out how the therapist explains activities to children and what options are available if your child needs a break. You can also ask about accessibility, sensory features of the room, and whether there is anything you should do before arriving.
Clarify how progress will be discussed and how family members can be involved between visits. Ask what the therapist needs to learn before suggesting goals, how recommendations might fit into daily routines, and when you can expect a follow-up. It is reasonable to ask how the therapist works with other providers, with your consent, and how questions can be raised after the appointment.
Help the day feel manageable
Give your child a simple, honest preview using language they understand. For example, explain where you are going, who they may meet, and that they can tell you if they need help. Avoid promising that the session will be fun or that nothing uncomfortable will happen. A calm explanation leaves room for the therapist to respond to your child’s needs as they arise.
Allow extra time for travel and arrival, and keep the schedule around the appointment as flexible as you can. If your child is tired, unwell, or especially unsettled, let the clinic know; the therapist may be able to adapt the session or discuss another time. Afterward, give your child space to recover and share what they thought in their own way.
A useful first session is a chance to get to know one another, not a test your child has to pass. Bring what you have, share honest examples, and ask about anything that would help your family feel prepared. Contact Canberra Sensory Care before the visit if you need practical details or want to discuss your child’s needs.