Basic PAT Assumptions

Remember the basic PAT assumptions when recruiting parents:

• All families have strengths.
• Parents are the experts on their child. We (parent educators) know about children.
• Families will be involved if the PAT support services make sense to them.
• They need to see that the support is specific and has direct application.
• When describing PAT emphasize that a child learns more during the first three years of life than throughout the rest of their life and parents are the most important teacher. They know how their child learns better than anyone.
• PAT information describes the general expectations on children at various stages of their lives. We provide that written information, describe and model ways to increase skills and provide specific information about important milestones such as toilet training. We also provide screenings and group meetings.
• Children who have stayed in the program for the full three years consistently do better in school. We have been using these techniques for twelve years and find that the earliest families we worked with are still benefiting from the program.

Layers of Clinic Work

1. Play with the children. Read books, sing songs and talk with them.

2. Observe the children. Point out to their parents how their behaviors relate to development. Help parents and staff relate to the uniqueness of the child. After a time, broach the subject of the PAT program. Provide the brochure about PAT and offer a referral card.

3. Over time and with repeated attempts, a relationship built on trust can develop with families you see again and again. These families can be difficult to locate and recruit for school programs.

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