What is Telehealth
Telehealth provides therapy services virtually. This includes Zoom, google meets or phone calls. Telehealth can also be known as distance Therapy or Teletherapy.
Telehealth Occupational Therapy allows children who have limited access to therapy due to long waiting lists or geographic location to receive the necessary therapy.
Often Rural Children's Therapy is asked how do you keep children engaged with online therapy sessions? It actually is a lot easier than it sounds. Our session are targeted to be fun and engaging for children, it involves toys, puppets, interactive computer games and activities completed both on the screen and off. Most children love technology, so engaging them in the session can be just as effective on screen compared to in-person.
What Telehealth sessions can look like?
Interactive session with the Child and Parent involved
There is so many options on how therapy can be presented to the parent and child in a session. some examples are:
- Working through handouts and/material that the therapist has presented.
- Using online Games to support the achievement of a goal.
- Using the child's interest such as TV show character to engage them.
- Doing obstacle courses and scavenger hunts around the house.
- Watching youtube clips of activities or a small part of the child favourite YT channel, then completing an activity based on the clip watched.
- Using fun and engaging backgrounds to support the child with the activity. These backgrounds can be interactive.
- Using online programs for the child to use during the session. This includes programs for self care tasks, understanding emotions, mastering a particular fine or gross motor skills, handwriting or keyboarding.
- Reading books or using slideshows in relation to the child's interest and goal.
1-on-1 session
Children must be at a developmental level to be able to complete therapy 1-on-1. Therapy will be targeted to the child's interests and development. The therapist can complete most session styles listed above in 1-on-1 session. Some session will require the parent to print off a workout or set up activities provided by the Occupational Therapist. As Rural Children's Therapy provides services to child 2-14 years old, older children are able to have session that are more age appropriate with target activity and games.
Parent Coaching
A video or phone call with the parent to discuss, strategies to try at home, child progress, work through difficulties the child or parent might be having related to their goal. Parent coaching can also be used to design small activities that fit into the family routine to support the child's achievement of their goals. Eg. if the child is working on fine motor skills and the family would like to incorporate therapy into the child's chore time, The Therapist can recommended different chores to help develop the child's fine motor skills. The Child does not need to be present during parent coaching sessions.
Parent coaching is recommended for parents of all aged children.