How one parent changed everything with just a few hours of support
Over a year ago, a parent reached out to Seattle Play Therapy with deep concerns about their child’s experience at school. The child was struggling—especially during literacy hour. The child often shut down, sometimes sobbed through class, and had begun to be labeled as “avoidant” by school staff. Multiple professionals told the parent there was no learning disability, no attention issues—just a behavior problem.
But the parent knew something more was going on. And they needed someone to trust their instincts.
This wasn’t a therapy case. The child never came to our office. What this parent needed was validation, insight, and direction.
Seattle Play Therapy provided a school observation, a meeting with the parent, and a consultation with the school team—just three hours of support. In that brief window, we were able to offer a new lens and affirm what the parent had suspected all along: the behavior wasn’t avoidance or opposition—it was communication.
During the observation, we noticed that the child was sensory-seeking in ways that could easily be misunderstood as misbehavior. We also saw a child who was deeply motivated to complete tasks, but visibly frustrated by the challenges of accessing the material. These were signs of unmet learning and regulation needs—not defiance.
We recommended:
- Occupational therapy, to support regulation, sensory processing, and motor coordination
- A Wired for Reading tutor, to provide structured literacy instruction tailored to the child’s learning profile
The parent took it from there.
They pursued testing, got on OT waitlists, worked with a tutor, and explored new school options. Eventually, the child was diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and a social communication disorder—and began receiving targeted support through special education.
Recently, the parent reached back out to share an update—and graciously gave us permission to share their story.
Since that initial observation:
- The child progressed from struggling with three-letter words to scoring in the 40th percentile in reading
- The child began OT and built regulation and classroom readiness skills
- The child now attends a general education classroom with special education support—with no remaining behavior challenges at school
- Behavior at home has also improved significantly
- The child now scores in the 88th percentile in math
Most importantly, the child is no longer overwhelmed. No more tears. No more meltdowns. The child is thriving.
This story is a powerful reminder that parents and caregivers often know when something isn’t right—and that trusting those instincts can change everything. It’s also proof that even a small amount of support—when it’s affirming, strategic, and grounded in curiosity—can open the door to real change.
At Seattle Play Therapy, we help families and educators see beyond behavior to uncover what’s really going on. Our short-term observation and consultation services are designed to empower families with insight, not overwhelm them with opinions.
If you’ve been told “it’s just behavioral,” but something in you knows there’s more to the story—we’re here to listen.
Learn more about our School Observation and Parent Support Services.