The Airplane Spoon

03/03/2026

𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱…

Structure changes that.

12 clinicians.
Menlo Park.
Register Here https://www.theairplanespoon.com/event-details/the-parent-partnership-workshop

03/02/2026

In this conversation, we introduce a three-question diagnostic tool designed to uncover family dynamics and build stronger therapeutic partnerships:

1️⃣ Describe your child in three words.
2️⃣ Summarize the challenge in one sentence.
3️⃣ Imagine the “graduation” moment — what does success look like?

These simple questions surface hope, reveal capacity, and clarify expectations — helping clinicians move beyond a child-only focus toward sustainable, family-centered progress.

Because real change does not happen in a 45-minute session.

It happens at home.

And when parents are seen, heard, and partnered with intentionally, outcomes improve — and so does the clinician’s experience of the work.

Watch the full conversation to explore how strengthening parent partnership can transform both therapy and long-term results.

As clinicians, we often have specific assessments to evaluate a child's challenges and create a support plan, but we rarely take the time to evaluate where t...

02/28/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺
A repeatable framework that helps you set expectations clearly so parents know exactly what to do, when to do it, and why it matters.

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Guided rehearsal of real parent interactions so you can communicate accountability with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀
Defined success markers that align clinician effort and parent follow-through, reducing frustration and increasing sustainable progress.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽
A hands-on framework for SLPs, OTs, and PTs to partner with parents -
building meaningful progress through Hope, Joy, Trust, and Accountability.

March 28
Register Here: https://www.theairplanespoon.com/event-details/the-parent-partnership-workshop

02/28/2026

1. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺
A repeatable framework that helps you set expectations clearly so parents know exactly what to do, when to do it, and why it matters.

2. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Guided rehearsal of real parent interactions so you can communicate accountability with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

3. 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀
Defined success markers that align clinician effort and parent follow-through, reducing frustration and increasing sustainable progress.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽
A hands-on framework for SLPs, OTs, and PTs to partner with parents - building meaningful progress through Hope, Joy, Trust, and Accountability.

Who SLPs, OTs, PTs
Location Menlo Park, CA
Duration 1 day (9 hours)
Cost $250
When Sat, March 28

Register Here https://www.theairplanespoon.com/event-details/the-parent-partnership-workshop

02/27/2026

Join us for an insightful LinkedIn Live tailored for pediatric therapists, clinicians, and educators.

The Unseen Client: Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Parents in Therapy.

Join us for an insightful LinkedIn Live tailored for pediatric therapists, clinicians, and educators. The Unseen Client: Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Parents in Therapy.

02/27/2026

The Parent Partnership Framework Workshop
A hands-on framework for SLPs, OTs, and PTs to partner with parents -
building meaningful progress through Hope, Joy, Trust, and Accountability.

At a Glance​
Small group 12 participants
Location Menlo Park, CA
Duration 1 day (9 hours)
Cost $250
When Sat, March 28
Sat, May 25
Sat, May 30
Register Here: https://www.theairplanespoon.com/event-details/the-parent-partnership-workshop

02/27/2026

02/24/2026

02/19/2026

Child not progressing.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 “𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩” & 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

I was using a tactile bridge activity with raw asparagus.

The goal:
Build a hand–mouth connection.

If the child feels the *snap* in their hands,
their brain can predict the sensation in the mouth.
Prediction reduces gag reflex.

The session started strong.

We graded the activity:

1️⃣ Hands → Breaking the stalk (clean crunch).
2️⃣ Cheeks → Breaking against the cheek.
3️⃣ Teeth → Holding like a pencil.

Teeth are a powerful bridge.
They don’t process flavor.
They allow exposure without full oral demand.

Then I increased the grade.

I asked him to break the asparagus with his lips.

Progress instantly stalled.

He turned away.
He refused.
He disengaged.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐖𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠

Raw asparagus was ideal:

• Clean auditory “snap”
• Clear proprioceptive feedback
• Not soggy
• Predictable sensory input

The grading was correct:
Periphery → center.

The failure wasn’t the tool.

It was the response to refusal.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞

Expectation clarity was missing.

The parents (and often therapists) were operating from a **Switch mindset**:

✔ Yes → Success
✘ No → Failure

If the child says no, the activity is over.

Meal ends.
Session ends.
Everyone leaves dysregulated.

This is where progress quietly dies.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝

Instead of forcing the lip break
or ending the session,

I modeled a **Step Down** approach.

Not “pack it up.”
Back it up.

I dropped back to the previous successful level.

Level 3.

I asked:

“Can I break it on your hand?”

He agreed.

Immediate regulation.

Then something important happened.

He initiated breaking it on his Mom’s hand.

We didn’t get lip closure.

But we preserved:

• Trust
• Regulation
• Sensory exposure
• Parent involvement

And most importantly:
Momentum.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭

Parents don’t need more techniques.

They need a framework.

A way to think when resistance shows up.

If they believe refusal means stop,
they will stop.

If they understand steps,
they can pivot.

Switch → Steps.

Back it up, not pack it up.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬

Techniques don’t stick without parent partnership

If parents don’t know how to pivot,
they end sessions in frustration.

When expectations are structured,
carryover improves.

This is not about being softer.

It’s about being systematic.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡

In our Parent Partnership Workshop , we teach clinicians how to:

• Move families from “Switch” thinking to “Step” thinking
• Preserve regulation during refusal
• Maintain momentum without force
• Build accountability without shame

Small group.
Hands-on.
Real conversation practice.

Because sustainable progress isn’t about pushing harder.

It’s about knowing how to step back strategically.

02/19/2026

“What drains you most?”

*Parents not following through

*Emotional labor

*Repeating instructions

*Setting expectations