There is a fair bit of misinformation about it, so I hope to clarify how it works and how it may be useful in a variety of situations.
What types of therapists are available?
The therapists who are now offering online therapy include Special Education Teachers, Speech Therapists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists and Behaviour Management Specialists.
How do I join a meeting?
Online therapy is offered via video on Skype or ZOOM which can be very convenient for a busy family. An appointment can be made with the therapist of choice, followed by an email including a link with a button to join the meeting at the set time. Zoom and Skype meetings are free on a Wifi connection. The only issue with this is in the case of a poor internet connection, so do check this first.
How does it work?
An online meeting for families of children under 2 is very similar to what will happen in a face-to-face meeting. The family discusses issues with the relevant therapist who makes recommendations on strategies to support feeding, communication, play skills and gross motor skills. Most of the interaction is a discussion between the adults, and the child does not need to be present.
As the child gets older, the therapist will suggest a particular activity to guide the parent through new strategies. For example, it could be a language activity based on a lotto game which the parent and child play while the therapist observes via video link. The therapist will suggest variations to extend the child’s skills – pausing longer to let the child process, repeating a single word as a model more frequently or letting the child take the lead after questions have been modelled. Once the game is finished, the child can go and play while the parent finalises the meeting and clarifies the strategies with the therapist. The child does not have to be a witness to this part of the meeting.
Online therapy is a very efficient form of therapy since it can fit well around family life, reducing the strain on families traveling to attend appointments. In a foreign country where language may be a barrier, it also provides a way to access therapist in a language of choice.
