Education, Consultation, and Communication
What the exam expects
You must communicate effectively with children, families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams. Know principles of family-centered care, shared decision-making, health literacy, teach-back, and culturally responsive communication. Understand consultation roles: advising schools, coordinating with physicians and educators, and contributing to IEP/IFSP processes.
Key concepts
Adapt communication to the child's developmental level and the family's language and literacy. Use teach-back to confirm understanding. Recognize the role of interpreters and written materials. Know how to present findings to a team, write clear reports, and advocate for the child's participation in school and community settings. Understand transition planning across settings.
Traps
Questions often reward collaborative, family-centered responses over directive ones. Another trap: assuming a family understands jargon; the correct answer usually involves plain language and confirmation. Watch for scenarios where the therapist should consult or refer rather than act outside expertise.
Rule of thumb: Teach-back-ask the family to explain the plan in their own words-is the best single check on communication.
Worked example: A family with limited English proficiency receives a home program. Use a qualified interpreter (not the child), provide written materials in their language, and use teach-back to confirm they can carry out the exercises.