Can you believe we have been doing Teletherapy and parent consultations for three months now?
Oftentimes, people think that OT has to be done 1:1 with an OT to help their child (and don’t get me wrong, direct treatment is really important and helpful). Thanks to COVID-19, it has been absolutely amazing to see both parents and kids thriving. Kids are calmer and building relationships, developing their motor skills, and problem-solving during play. Parents are understanding their child’s ‘signs’ and needs, and as a result, figuring out what to do coming up with great strategies to support their kids.
It has been a highlight building relationships, joining forces with parents, and having an impact in the kids’ natural environments.
How do Occupational Therapists do Teletherapy?
Teletherapy sessions have taken a combination of two forms:
- Directly working with the child via the parent
- Indirectly by meeting only the parent and reviewing videos of child between sessions
What lessons have we learned (i.e. benefits gained) from teletherapy during COVID-19?
Less is more
Kids have made great progress with what they have at home.
Parents have been nicely surprised how much we are able to do with what they have at home, and as a result, they are more able to incorporate sensory strategies or motor activities into their days. In many ways, I have found that children have made even more progress during their intensive blocks as we are so much more focused on certain areas and we use what they have.
Empowering parents
For me, I have loved building relationships with the parents, and tag teaming with them to support their families and kids. I feel that this has also been key to the progress we have made in sessions, and the support the parents feel that they are receiving. Parents are empowered knowing that they can help their kids using their own hands and ideas.
Learn by doing
I learn by doing things myself.
These parent consultations and virtual sessions have enabled parents to ‘do’ with their kids themselves, and become confident in their own abilities to support their child. Being mum to my 8-year old, I know how important this is.
New future plans? YES!
So far, many families want to continue in this way to some capacity, and I’m fore-seeing positive changes going forwards in how we provide OT via supporting parents, whether it be directly, indirectly, through trainings and coaching, or a combination.
Get in touch to discuss how tele-therapy can help your child.