Communication Station is proud to offer speech-language therapy via teletherapy, which is therapy over the internet through a live video connection. Your child will interact “face to face” with a Communication Station speech-language pathologist, play games, and learn/practice skills. Evaluations and screenings can also be done with telepractice. Telepractice allows for immediate carryover of skills into your child’s daily routines, supporting their strengths, and coaching families how to make modifications/adaptations to activities or interactions. Teletherapy is an excellent way to receive therapy services when travelling to a clinic isn’t a realistic option or to allow for more scheduling flexibility. It is also an amazing solution for your child to receive speech-language therapy services safely as New York navigates COVID-19.
Who Can Benefit from Teletherapy?
A variety of circumstances can lead a family to choose teletherapy over traditional in-clinic therapy. A few examples include:
Homeschooling families or those with multiple children for whom it is difficult to schedule regular clinic sessions for a single child
Children who are ill, homebound or have compromised immune systems
Families who live too far to easily travel to a clinic multiple times per month or who have limited access to reliable transportation
Children who have anxiety or other needs who are more comfortable receiving treatment in a familiar setting
But teletherapy can also work very well for families who don’t fit any of the above scenarios, and an added benefit to teletherapy for any child is that sessions can be recorded for the child and his or her parents. Replaying a session helps reinforce therapy concepts, making therapy “homework” more productive.
Teletherapy is not necessarily a good fit for every client, however. Children who struggle to remain in one place (standing or sitting) or need specific tactile (touch) cues to complete therapy tasks typically require in-person therapy over teletherapy.
So, what do you need at home to use teletherapy?
- Computer, iPad, or tablet
- Webcam (included in iPads and most computers, but can be purchased inexpensively if needed)
- Headset or ear buds
- High speed broadband internet (minimum of 3Mbps download speed and 1Mbps upload speed)
