We access technology throughout the day, from helping us get to where we need to go (satnav), leisure (TV), and staying connected (phones). Technology can help children and families to achieve their therapy goals too! Over the past few years we have seen research around use of technology to support therapy, and specifically around use of telehealth services. Telehealth services include the use of video technology to provide access to therapies, education, and support from a qualified allied health professional.
What are the benefits of telehealth supports?
Telehealth services have lots of benefits for children and families. In the past, face-to-face services were the most widely available type of service delivery model but COVID and new research has shown us that face to face is not always the most suitable option for all families and that telehealth can deliver good outcomes. As always, there isn’t a one size fits all.
Telehealth means…
- We can be more flexible to offer supports at times that suit families, and free up more time for families to do other things (when travel time is taken out).
- Cost savings for families in services where face-to-face services previously involved clinician travel time.
- Families can access supports in a safe way if their child prefers to be supported in an environment they feel comfortable in rather than an unfamiliar location that makes them feel uncomfortable.
- We can support collaborative working for families, whereby other team members can come together to support a child.
- We can reach people in regional and remote communities. Telehealth services allows families to access services no matter where they live, meaning a more equal access to services.
What is the evidence behind telehealth supports?
Studies have shown that caregivers have high levels of satisfaction when telehealth is used for early years supports. Recent research into the experiences of NDIS participants in Australia revealed overall positive experiences with telehealth delivery services. In this study more than half perceived the care as the same or better than in-person consultations. We have a way to go in identifying evidence for specific therapy approaches, as this continues to be a new area of practice.
Who is suitable for telehealth supports?
One misconception is that children need to engage with a screen to access telehealth. For the early years, most of our telehealth services involve video calls with parents or caregivers. We use coaching and discussions to identify strategies to support children in the contexts that are functional and important to them, and we also have the option to review videos of the child through video recording. A child directly interacting with a video is just one way that telehealth services can be delivered.
A caveat for telehealth suitability is also related to the content of sessions. For Clinical Psychology, where the focus of sessions can be more about the emotional containment (providing parents or children with support to experience their emotions safely) and when more sensitive topics are discussed, telehealth may not be appropriate.
What might telehealth supports look like?
Primarily working with caregivers and parents:
- In the moment coaching: This involves the clinician supporting families to use specific strategies while they are interacting with their child during a video call.
- Out of moment coaching: This involves families sharing a video with their clinician prior to or during a video call. During the video call there is an opportunity to review the recorded video together and identify strategies to meet the child’s goals.
- Focused discussion: This involves meeting with the clinician or team to discuss the needs of the child and family, and may include setting goals and problem-solving together.
Primarily working with the child:
- Working with the child: This involves the clinician working directly with the child during a video call with parents. Often this calls for a bit of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
At CliniKids, we offer several therapies which have specific telehealth adaptations including Inklings and Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) to support social communication.
Hybrid models (where we use a combination of telehealth and face to face) are also another option for families. It is important to think about your child, goals, and individual circumstances when determining the type of service delivery that would best meet your goals.
CliniKids always retains a number of telehealth specific spots for families to access Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy and PACT therapy.
References
The University of Melbourne and National Disability Insurance Agency 2021. Participant Experiences with National Disability Insurance Scheme Funded Allied Healthcare Services During COVID-19. Melbourne, Australia.
Frigerio, P., Del Monte, L., Sotgiu, A. et al. Parents’ satisfaction of tele-rehabilitation for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Prim. Care 23, 146 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01747-2
De Leon IC, Philipps J, Yoegel M, Byrnes J, Kase JS. Comparison of Goal Achievement When Transitioning from In-Person Therapy to Teletherapy in Westchester County Early Intervention Program Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Telerehabil. 2022 Jun 3;14(1):e6450. doi: 10.5195/ijt.2022.6450. PMID: 35734388; PMCID: PMC9186834.