If Your Child’s Behaviours Aren’t Changing, Could It Be Because the Routines Are Different at Home?

Syakir Imran
Nov 18
4 min read

Do children get confused when routines differ between therapy and home?

YES!

Children thrive on consistency. If routines, expectations, and responses are different at home compared to therapy, learning is disrupted, leading to confusion, meltdowns, and slower progress.

At HI 5 SEN Care Centre, we’ve seen that when parents and therapists use the same strategies, children’s behaviours improve faster and stay consistent longer.

Does parental involvement accelerate behavior change?

YES!

When parents actively participate in therapy and follow through at home, children learn to regulate emotions, respond to instructions, and manage frustration more effectively.

Therapy only works if home follows through.

Do parents influence behavior more than therapists?

YES.

Parents are the biggest role models. Children spend most of their time at home, and they copy what they see and feel safe with. When parents use consistent routines, children feel more secure and behave better.

Consistency = Confidence.

What can parents do to support behaviour change at home?

Use therapy routines at home

Try these simple scripts:

“First brush teeth, then play.”
“Gentle hands, please.”
“We take turns.”

Repeat key instructions

Use the same words each time.
Gesture or show visuals for clarity.

Build emotional vocabulary

“You’re upset because…”
“Let’s breathe together.”

Small, repeated strategies = big progress.

What if routines are inconsistent?

Children can:

Feel confused or overwhelmed
React with frustration or behaviour issues
Struggle with transitions or new instructions
Take longer to build new skills

Research confirms that behaviour improves fastest when strategies match across home and centre settings (Longo et al., 2024).

Are modern challenges affecting parental consistency?

Is screen distraction making it harder to connect?

YES!

Studies show excessive screen use, even by parents, reduces meaningful engagement needed for emotional and behavioural development (Jalil et al., 2024).

HI 5 SEN recommends:

Screen-free family meals
No phones during therapy homework
Device-free moments of bonding

Do busy routines make it harder to keep up?

YES!

We understand that work, chores, and family responsibilities can strain parents. But even 5 minutes of daily consistent routine practice can create real, measurable progress.

It’s not about doing it perfectly, it’s about doing it consistently.

Does HI 5 SEN support behaviour change at home?

YES!

We follow a family-centred model where parents are trained, guided, and supported to continue learning at home. We provide:

After-session parent feedback
Guided home routines
Monthly progress check-ins
Easy WhatsApp support
Personalised behaviour plans

When parents understand the “why,” their actions become powerful tools for steady change.

You're Invited: HI 5 SEN OPEN DAY!

Curious how therapy can help your child progress in speech, behaviour, or emotional skills?

Join us this 22nd November 2025 for our OPEN DAY at HI 5 SEN CARE CENTRE!

Explore our space, meet our therapists, and learn how we support children with special needs in a family-focused environment.

Event Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location: HI 5 SEN CARE CENTRE (Puchong Jaya)

38, Jalan Helang 3,Bandar Puchong Jaya,47100 Puchong, Selangor.

What’s special on this day?

✔ On-the-spot child development assessments (limited slots!)

✔ Meet-and-greet with our therapy team

✔ Parenting tips and guidance

✔ Centre tour and programme briefing

✔ Exclusive Open Day offers

Reserve your assessment slot now:

https://whatsform.com/t4tofk

Let's work together to build a brighter future , one confident step at a time. 💛

Summary

If your child’s behaviours aren’t improving, the solution might start at home, not just in therapy.

Children learn best when parents mirror therapeutic routines and help turn everyday moments into learning moments. Consistency at home means:

Reduced meltdowns
Easier transitions
Faster emotional and behavioural skills

At HI 5 SEN Care Centre, we walk hand in hand with you, because behaviour change isn't a one-hour event, it’s a daily practice.

Together, let’s build habits that help children grow happier, calmer, and more confident.

References :

JALIL, N., Pek, L., MOHAMED, S., Harun, N., Mee, R., & Shahdan, T. (2024). The possible effects of digital media and parental screen soothing on children. Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(3), 91-99. https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v5i3.370
Guo, L., Li, L., Xu, K., Wang, W., Ni, Y., Li, W., … & Zhang, W. (2023). Characterization of premigration and postmigration multidomain factors and psychosocial health among refugee children and adolescents after resettlement in australia. Jama Network Open, 6(4), e235841. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.5841
Longo, V., Saadati, N., & Çobanoğlu, N. (2024). The role of family therapy in managing adolescent conduct disorder. KMAN Counsel and Psych Nexus, 2(2), 4-11. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.psychnexus.2.2.2
Sinuhaji, B. (2025). Evaluating an aba-based early stimulation program for children with speech delay in a resource-limited indonesian kindergarten. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 4(4), 3119-3130. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v4i4.2442
Williams, P., Slonims, V., & Weinman, J. (2023). ‘turning up and tuning in’. factors associated with parental non‐attendance and non‐adherence in intervention for young children with speech, language communication needs. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 59(2), 762-778. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12961
Jaiyong, P., Rattakorn, P., & Chinchai, S. (2024). The development of manual for speech and language treatment for parents of children with cleft palate ages 0-3 years old. Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, 57(1), 60-66. https://doi.org/10.12982/jams.2024.007