TELETHERAPY

“The application of telecommunications technology to delivery of professional services at a distance by linking clinician to client, or clinician to clinician, for assessment, intervention, and/or consultation.” -The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

WHAT IS TELETHERAPY?

Teletherapy is an online (virtual) therapy session that typically occurs in real time and ‘face to face’ with a clinician via online video-conferencing.

The best part is your child can do it in their PJs!!!

IS TELETHERAPY AS EFFECTIVE AS ON-SITE (IN PERSON) THERAPY?

There is a myth circulating in therapy circles that teletherapy is of inferior quality to traditional face-to-face therapy.

-THIS IS FALSE!!-

The effectiveness of telepractice (teletherapy) was corroborated by a 2011 study by Kent State University researchers comparing students receiving traditional in-person therapy and those receiving telepractice in public school settings. They found that the outcomes for the telepractice group were equal or better than the in-person group.

Regarding the online mode of delivery, teletherapy has been used successfully since the late 1990s for hundreds of thousands of therapy sessions across the United States. It is and has been considered an effective and appropriate therapeutic delivery mode based on 20 years of research by over 40 academic published studies.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT IN A TELETHERAPY SESSION?

Sessions may look different depending on the age of your child (see below).

Younger children: We would like to see you and your child during activities your child likes or daily routines (meal time, play, family chores, a walk in the backyard, brushing teeth/hair, etc.). Your therapist will observe and support the interaction as needed by providing feedback, sharing information about specific strategies, or child development with the intent for you to learn how to support your child's skills in new ways. If your child has any behaviors or you are concerned they won't attend to an activity, it would be helpful to try to get your child to show these, so we can work together to support your child's development in day-to-day life. We encourage collaboration with the therapist to improve routines, outcomes and strategies.

Older Children: Make sure your child has had a snack and used the restroom before beginning. Your therapist might screen share and have some activities done through different websites, or share online video's related to your child's specific goals.

WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO I NEED FOR TELETHERAPY?

Computer, Phone, Tablet

Web camera with 15 FPS (frames per second) capture rate (built in or separate)

Headset with attached microphone (analog or USB)

High-speed internet connection (150 kbps minimum)