In today's fast-paced digital landscape, the world of paediatric therapy is evolving. As allied health clinicians, we're no strangers to change. But the rise of telehealth, particularly in our field, has brought both excitement and skepticism. How can we effectively connect with our young clients through screens? Let's explore the pros and cons of telehealth therapy for paediatric clients, and discover practical tips to maximise its success.
Pros of Telehealth in Paediatric Therapy:
- Accessibility and Convenience: Telehealth breaks down geographical barriers, making therapy accessible to families who may live in remote areas or have transportation challenges.
- Flexible Scheduling: Telehealth allows for flexible scheduling, making it easier to accommodate busy family routines and school schedules.
- Comfort Zone Therapy: Children often feel more at ease in their familiar home environment. Telehealth allows us to observe them in their natural surroundings, potentially providing valuable insights into their behavior and challenges.
- Customized Home-Based Strategies: Telehealth allows clinicians to tailor therapy strategies specifically to a child's home environment, leading to more practical and effective interventions that can easily be incorporated into the daily routine.
- Parent Involvement: Telehealth encourages parents to actively participate in therapy sessions. They can observe, learn, and reinforce techniques between sessions, creating a more holistic therapeutic approach.
- Safety and Health: During times of health crises or when a child is immunocompromised, telehealth offers a safe alternative to in-person sessions.
- Engaging Technology: Kids are digital natives. Leveraging technology can make therapy sessions more engaging and interactive. Incorporating fun apps, games, or videos can make learning more enjoyable.
Cons of Telehealth for Paediatric Therapy- and (more importantly), How to Overcome Them:
- Lack of Physical Presence: Building trust and rapport with young clients can be challenging through a screen. It can be easy to miss the subtle cues and personal connection that come with in-person interactions. How to overcome it? Start each session with a warm, personal greeting. Use your client's name and ask about their day. Incorporate activities that involve showing each other drawings, toys, or even their pet. Building a personal connection, even through a screen, can create a strong therapeutic bond.
- Technical Hurdles: Not all families have access to reliable internet or devices. Technical glitches can disrupt sessions, causing frustration for both clinicians and clients. How to overcome it? Prior to each session, send families a checklist to ensure their internet and devices are in good working order. Encourage them to have a backup device on hand in case of issues. Additionally, offer technical support resources or a dedicated helpline they can reach out to if problems arise.
- Engagement Challenges: Holding a child's attention during a virtual session can be tough. Keeping them focused and motivated may require innovative strategies. How to overcome it? Just like in face to face therapy, make sessions highly interactive. Incorporate movement breaks, songs, and games into your sessions. Use props, puppets, or even virtual backgrounds to capture your client's imagination. Keep activities short and dynamic to maintain their interest. And don't forget to praise and encourage them frequently to keep the motivation high.
- Privacy Concerns: Maintaining privacy and confidentiality during virtual sessions can be a concern, especially when multiple family members are present. How to overcome it? Begin each session by discussing privacy rules and ensuring that no one else can overhear or see the session. Use secure telehealth platforms to safeguard sensitive information. Remind parents and caregivers about the importance of creating a private space for the session.
- Lack of Hands-On Interaction: Conducting physical assessments (like measuring certain motor skills or sensory responses) and engaging in hands-on therapeutic techniques can be challenging through telehealth due to the absence of in-person presence. How to overcome it? Collaborate closely with parents and caregivers to perform simple physical assessments at home, guided by your instructions. Focus on observations and discussions with caregivers to gather valuable insights about a child's progress. Consider periodic in-person appointments when feasible.
- Distractions at Home: Home environments can be filled with distractions that hinder the therapeutic process. How to overcome it? Encourage families to designate a quiet, distraction-free area for therapy sessions where possible. If this is tricky, work on reducing the biggest distractions first (e.g. turning off the TV/radio) or mitigating potential distractions by incorporating them into your therapy (e.g. incorporate siblings into therapy activities). Work with families to identify potential distractions in advance and prepare an action plan to maximise success.
- Limited Physical Resources: Some therapy techniques require specialised equipment or resources that may not be available in a child's home. How to overcome it? Adapt therapy exercises to make use of common household items or suggest low-cost alternatives that families can easily obtain. Share video demonstrations of exercises to ensure proper implementation.
While telehealth in paediatric therapy has its challenges, the benefits are undeniable. By adapting our approach and implementing these strategies to overcome obstacles, we can create meaningful connections and achieve positive outcomes for our young clients. Embracing this digital evolution allows us to unlock new opportunities and expand our reach, ultimately helping more children thrive in their communication and development journeys.
Have you had experience with telehealth? I'd love to hear about the hurdles you've faced and how you managed to overcome them. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let's keep the conversation going!
