The rapidly increasing use of technology for speech-language pathology services via telethealth has generated many questions and challenges for many of us, parents and clinicians alike. Seemingly overnight, we transitioned to online services only and we were inherently asked to provide a level of service that meets or exceeds the quality of the services we deliver in-person. Along the way, we found some tips, tricks, and ideas that may make it easier for those that receive or deliver synchronous (i.e., in real-time) therapy in an online setting. Here are some ideas for you to give or receive higher quality therapy.
- Use a reliable device
- a phone, a tablet, or a computer will work
- Establish a good internet connection
- run a free speed test online to ensure that your electronic device and your internet connection won’t lag
- Work in a secure environment
- Use a firewall on your computer
- Work in a virtual private network (VPN)
- Use a HIPAA-compliant platform
- it doesn’t need to be therapy-specific but your privacy and confidentiality should be respected and maintained
- Use headphones
- those receiving therapy can split their audio connection so another authorized person can listen–this may help to decrease the impact of competing sounds
- Eliminate distractions in your environment
- this includes people, other devices, e.g., TV, phone, tablets, people, animals
- Let the therapist work with your loved one as he/she would in any setting, e.g., clinic, office, school setting–let your loved one engage in some problem-solving with the clinician
- people receiving therapy typically struggle with what we are addressing in therapy
- speech and language professionals are specially-trained to address these difficulties using a variety of techniques that may or may not be familiar to the untrained eye
- Clinicians should use the internet to provide patients with a great variety of resources to keep everyone highly motivated
As you may know, those receiving therapy online must be provided with a teletherapy-specific consent form. Additionally, unauthorized observers are not allowed on either end of teletherapy. As a result, some of the aforementioned challenges, e.g., eliminating distractions, will naturally be resolved if each patient’s privacy is respected and maintained.
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If you or someone you know needs the services of a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, please be sure to discuss your concerns with a physician, a speech-language pathologist, or another qualified provider. You can also find a provider through the ASHA ProFind service or visit us at www.bilingualspeech.org for more information. NOTE: This article is intended only as a general source of information, i.e., it is not intended to replace information given to you by a qualified health professional that is familiar with your particular circumstances. If you have an urgent medical need, please seek immediate medical attention.