How Much Therapy Do Our Kids Really Need? (And When It Might Be Time to Take a Break)
- Carol Hegan
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
At Grow Therapy Services, we’re often asked:
“How many sessions should my child be doing?”
“Are we doing enough?”“
Is it okay to stop for a while?”
These are incredibly valid and important questions - especially in a world where therapy is often positioned as the main (and sometimes only) way to support a neurodivergent child’s development.
But here’s the truth we stand by at Grow:
More therapy doesn’t always equal better outcomes.
What matters most is whether the therapy is purposeful, meaningful, and respectful of your child’s capacity and autonomy.
Every Child Is Different – And So Is Their Therapy Journey
Neurodivergent children, just like neurotypical ones, thrive when their support systems honour their unique strengths, needs, and interests. Some children benefit from regular, focused therapy blocks. Others may need short bursts of support around specific goals — followed by space and time to consolidate, grow, and simply be kids.
There’s no one-size-fits-all therapy plan. And there shouldn’t be.
Red Flags To Look Out For That May Indicate It Might Be Too Much
If you're noticing any of the following, it may be time to pause and reassess:
Your child is resistant, exhausted, or anxious before or after sessions
They're missing out on play, rest, or opportunities for connection because of therapy schedules
You, as their parent or carer, are overwhelmed trying to fit everything in
Progress has plateaued and sessions feel repetitive or disengaged
Your family routines, values, or relationships are being compromised
Taking a break isn’t giving up. It’s responding to what your child is communicating — and that is exactly what therapy should model.
Therapy Should Never Be a Full-Time Job
At Grow, we believe therapy should be time-sensitive and goal-oriented — not a lifelong commitment or endless cycle.
We provide blocks of therapy that are:
Collaborative: You and your child are active participants in setting the pace and direction
Purposeful: Every session has intention — we don’t fill time, we follow your child’s goals
Flexible: Life happens. Sometimes therapy needs to pause, shift, or change direction — and that’s okay
Strengths-Based: We focus on what’s working, not just what’s hard
When Might It Be Time to Take a Break from Therapy?
Some families choose to pause therapy during:
School holidays or busy family seasons
Times of transition (e.g., starting school, moving home)
Periods of burnout (for parents or children) (for us personally this is Term 1 and Term 4!)
When children have met specific goals and are ready to generalise skills in real-world settings
We actively support families in making these decisions. Therapy should work for your life, not take over your life.
Your Child Is Already Enough
It’s also important to remember: therapy should never aim to “fix” or “normalise” your child.
Instead, we use our sessions to:
Nurture your child’s identity, autonomy, and communication
Support sensory regulation, emotional wellbeing, and relationships
Strengthen capacity in everyday environments — like home, school, and community
Empower you, as their parent or carer, to feel confident and supported
Our Approach: Connection First, Always
At Grow, we’re deeply committed to neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, and family-centered care. We value connection over compliance, curiosity over correction, and authenticity over appearance.
We’re not here to keep you in therapy forever. We’re here to build your child’s capacity, support your family’s goals, and know when it’s time to grow beyond our sessions.
Additional Helpful Resources for Families Exploring This Topic
🧠 Reframing Autism – Articles and resources from autistic-led perspectives
📘 Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Dr. Barry Prizant
🎧 Two Sides of the Spectrum Podcast – Especially Episode 19: “Rethinking Therapy Dosage”
📄 Therapy Doesn’t Need to be Full-Time – Blog from Learn Play Thrive
🛠️ The Nurture Program – Focused on parent capacity-building and nervous system regulation
Let’s Grow, Together
If you’re wondering whether to start, stop, or take a break from therapy — we’re here for that conversation.
No judgment. No pressure. Just support.
Please reach out to our team today to discuss what’s right for your family and your child’s unique journey.
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