While working abroad in Australia, Emily gained experience in telehealth, supporting families who lived in regional areas, with online Speech Therapy. We used video platforms such as Skype, Zoom FaceTime etc. Now in March 2020, Ireland and the UK are facing lockdown due to COVID-19. This does not mean that you have to stop your SLT, OT or Psychology services. As an experienced Multi Disciplinary team, we will be able to work with parents, children, adolescents and adults in need of our services. We have looked towards the US for help and have engaged in mentoring sessions and are now equipped with online tools to make the sessions fun, engaging and interactive!!
What you need for online therapy?
For your online therapy to be successful we will need to first get you set up, we will support you in this process.
- You will need high speed internet access.
- You will need a tablet/laptop or desktop with a camera.
- Ideally a headset with a microphone (Not everyone is comfortable with wearing these thats okay its not a necessity)
- Set up should be in a quiet space, with minimal distractions nearby.
How Can Online Speech Therapy Help?
Evolve Therapy's online services offer the same benefits as traditional face-to-face therapy, with the added convenience of being able to access the services direct from your home. Using web-based video conferencing technology, our speech therapists interact in real time.
During pre-scheduled sessions, our speech therapists engage and interact with our clients using appropriate therapeutic activities and exercises. Materials and follow-up resources are also available to allow for additional practice of skills at home so that the patient can practice the skills they learn between sessions.
How Can Online Occupational Therapy Help?
Online Occupational Therapy is similar to therapy delivered in face-to-face sessions.
What Services Might Be Provided During Telehealth Occupational Therapy (online occupational therapy)?
• Parent education and couching
• Developmental skills for young children, such as grip, feeding, etc.
• Reading/writing
• Hand Therapy
• Visual Therapy
• Sensory Integration
• Life skills
• Social Skills
• Mental Health
• Training on ACC
• Training on home modification
Research
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Telepractice Position Statement
http://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Professional-Issues/Telepractice/
Effectiveness of Telepractice for School Age
https://globalteletherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Effectiveness-of-telepractice-for-school-age.pdf
Effectiveness of Telepractice for Speech Sound Disorders
http://telerehab.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/Telerehab/article/view/6064
Who’s Receiving Clinical Services via Telepractice?
http://leader.pubs.asha.org/Article.aspx?articleid=1983601
Stakeholder Satisfaction
http://telerehab.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/Telerehab/article/view/6049
Telepractice: Installing a Speech Therapy Upgrade for the 21st Century
http://telerehab.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/Telerehab/article/view/6112
Speech Language Clinicians Connect with Telepractice
http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/02/02/speech-language-clinicians-connect-with-telepractice.aspx
Telepractice Reimbursement on the Rise
http://leader.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=2280614on-the-Rise.htm
Internet-Based Telehealth Assessment
https://globalteletherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Assessment-via-Telehealth-1.pdf
Speech Language Workforce and Work Conditions Trends
http://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/2014-Schools-Survey-SLP-Workforce-Trends.pdf