Getting Started Coaching with Families in EI

I've probably watched the full interview with Dr. Shubha Kashinath at least 10 times, because it just has so many helpful and realistic perspectives for my EI work with families. In this post, I'm just going to share a few of the many insights that Dr. Kashinath shared, drawing from her rich background spanning over two decades of serving young children and families.

During our discussion, Dr. Kashinath emphasized the importance of tailoring interventions to meet families where they are, cautioning against overwhelming them with excessive coaching too early in the process. She beautifully illustrated the delicate balance required in EI between guiding, observing, and being led.  

A crucial lesson from our discussion was the importance of professionals being adaptable and responsive to each family's distinct needs. Dr. Kashinath highlighted her successful approach of celebrating one victory and addressing one manageable challenge in each visit, particularly in the initial stages. While our instinct as helpers might be to tackle many challenges at once, Dr. Kashinath emphasized that focusing on one manageable challenge at a time builds credibility and trust with the family, and avoids overwhelming them.

Her interview emphasized the indispensable value of reflection, flexibility, and collaboration in driving effective coaching practices in early intervention. You can watch her full interview in module 1 of our Early Intervention Expert Insights series for 0.25 CMHs.