Written by Ainsley P. Vergara, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

Teletherapy e1616178386253

  1. Create a Productive Work Space

A dedicated therapy space will increase your child’s focus and the likelihood of positive results. Reduce distractions by only placing therapy-related objects in the session space. Consider working with your child’s occupational and/or physical therapists to modify the space to fit his needs. OTs may recommend attention aids including fidgets and bouncy bands, and PTs may recommend ergonomic seating options such as footstools and adjustable-height chairs.  A few additional recommendations include using an appropriate screen size, such as a computer or tablet, and placing the screen at a comfortable angle. If using an iPad or iPhone, consider using the built-in Guided Access setting to lock your child into the therapy session app (How-To Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9j8X3iSHlg). While preparing the space, choose a location in your house with as few distractions as possible; potential diversions include background noise from TVs, pets, and siblings. As appropriate, involve your child in making the space comfortable for him.

  1. Attend with Your Child:

Teletherapy provides the unique opportunity to attend therapy with your child. Spending this time with your child and his therapist will allow you to learn strategies you can apply throughout your daily life. Think about it – your child’s therapist spends only one or two hours a week with him, while you spend every single day together! Use your child’s breaks to ask questions and learn how to engage him in learning opportunities throughout the week. Therapists are so excited to share ways you can turn grocery trips, household chores, and other routines into opportunities for speech and language growth.

Additionally, attending sessions with your child ensures he stays on task and understands how to navigate the “virtual world” of therapy. You can teach your child how to look at the camera when speaking and how to locate his therapist on the screen. These skills are becoming increasingly important as virtual platforms become more prevalent.

  1. Remember This is Your Child’s Time

Therapists are eager to work with involved parents, and we always welcome collaboration with families. While working with your child during her therapy session, be sure to remember this time is her time. Not only is it okay for your child to make mistakes, those mistakes form important building blocks for learning skills. As much as you want to help your child, refrain from providing answers and completing therapy tasks for her. Feel free to discuss your therapist’s strategies including wait time and levels of cueing!

In order to make the most of your child’s therapy time, communicate with her therapist weekly to prepare for the upcoming session. Some therapists request common household items for activities, and others assign pre-teaching activities. If your child uses a communication device, ensure the device is charged prior to the session. If other communication aids, such as picture symbols or visual schedules, are necessary, make sure they are available as well. Being prepared will allow the therapy session to focus on skills rather than organizing materials.

  1. Consider Scheduling Needs

For some clients, virtual therapy is a continuation of an already all-digital school day. If attending school virtually, your child may benefit from a break between school and therapy; however, other children work best with limited breaks, as down-time makes the workday even longer. You may need to think outside the box for scheduling; some ideas include scheduling during your child’s lunch break, on weekends, or in the evenings after a designated brain and body break. Work with your therapist to determine the best schedule that works best for your child, and anticipate some trial and error while planning.

  1. Request and Implement Follow-Up Activities

Many therapists provide home exercise programs (HEPs) to ensure carryover of therapy skills. When speaking with your therapist, let her know whether virtual or no-tech options work best for your family; this decision should be based on your child’s attention span, your comfort level with virtual activities, and your personal feelings regarding screen time. As a therapist, I often joke that my goal is to work myself out of a job; I can only do that when families implement HEPs, as consistent practice is key. If you feel the HEP is not working for your family, communicate with your therapist, and work together to modify the plan. Therapy is all about flexibility, collaboration, and effort, and we are so glad you are on this journey with us!