Virtual Occupational Therapy for Kids [pros, cons, & tips]
Pediatric occupational therapists teach children important life skills. Can that really be done from a screen?! Definitely, if done right!
But virtual therapy is not for everyone. Learn the pros and cons of virtual therapy and insider tips to make it work.
Photo by Alexander Dummer on Unsplash
Choosing a form of therapy that works for your child is critical to success.
A responsible OT will review your therapy options with you and support your decision. The more you know, the more you can make a decision that serves your family’s unique needs best.
Learn :
Benefits of Virtual Therapy for Kids
Cons of Virtual Therapy for Kids
How to Prepare for a Virtual Therapy Session
Benefits of Virtual Therapy for Kids
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Many people are trading the clinic lobby for a virtual lobby. Here are 5 reasons why:
Cost-savings
Neither families nor therapists spend precious time or money driving around town. All they need is a phone, computer, or tablet and a good internet connection.
Families living in rural or underserved areas will especially benefit from gaining access to care virtually.
Easy Scheduling
Virtual therapy lends itself well to flexible scheduling. It allows families to “pop in” for a session before or after work and even on the weekends, if available. Easier scheduling also lets families get access to specialists who may have yearlong waitlists.
Telehealth is a no-brainer for busy working families who want to start now.
Germ-free
Kids constantly cough, sneeze, and drool. With virtual therapy, families and therapists keep their germs to themselves.
Telehealth is especially useful for families wary of catching the next virus.
Comfort
What’s more comfortable than being in your own home using your own stuff? Parents and their children can stay in their pj’s while getting all the therapy goodness. And when they’re done, they simply hang up; no commute home. Ahh… that sounds nice.
Virtual occupational therapy is great for families wanting to prioritize comfort.
You Learn Too!
Ever feel like an outsider in your own child’s learning? According to Dahl-Popolizio, families felt more empowered with telehealth because they were more involved during sessions. Virtual therapy lends itself well to parent coaching, which is especially useful for families with young children.
Telehealth is a great option for parents who want to become effective teachers to their children.
Cons of Virtual Therapy for Kids
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows with telehealth. While virtual therapy has many pros, here are some cons to consider:
Tech Issues
A poor internet connection leads to lagging and other connectivity issues. Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to connect to a therapist when you need to.
In-person therapy may be a better choice for families who live in places with a spotty connection.
Fewer Supplies
Most occupational therapy clinics have a seemingly never-ending supply of toys and therapy supplies. With virtual therapy, you are limited to what is in your home, for better or for worse.
It’s worth noting… you may be pleasantly surprised at how many everyday household items can be used used for therapy.
Hands-on
Parental involvement is required for virtual therapy. Parents cannot steal away to answer some emails or just enjoy some quiet time.
Virtual therapy is not for parents who are hoping for some “me-time”.
Not for You
If you don’t want virtual therapy to work, it won’t.
If you’re really wary about it, opt for in-person services right off the bat.
How to Prep for Your Virtual OT Session
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Seventy-eight percent of people interviewed support telehealth as a permanent option for occupational therapy service delivery (Dahl-Popolizio). For virtual therapy to work, it must be done right. Prepare for virtual OT by taking these simple actions:
Think About Goals
What do you hope to get out of therapy? Really think about your values and priorities. Share these ideas with your OT!
Sharing common goals with your child’s therapist is essential for your child’s success with telehealth.
Try Things Out!
The magic of virtual therapy is what happens when you’re NOT on the line with your OT.
Prepare for each session by trying the suggested activities you talked about during your last OT session. Share what went well and what didn’t so you can continue to tweak the recommendations together.
If you are only trying out new things in your daily life, your child will not progress as quickly as they should.
Ask Questions
Occupational therapists talk about sensory, motor, and self-care skills daily. The words and ideas that roll off their tongues may be completely foreign to you.
Do yourself a favor and as questions as they come up. The more you understand what is going on, the better you can help your child learn.
Come Ready
Take the last few minutes of each session to make a plan for the next session. When will the next session be? What will you need? Having supplies ready will let you hit the ground running at the beginning of every session.
Have Another Pair of Hands
Realistically, children may pay attention to a screen for about 5-10 minutes. If possible, have another caregiver entertain the child for the rest of the session so you can continue to make plans for the upcoming week with your therapist. If no one else is available, having a snack ready for your child may be just what you need to keep them happy while you finish the conversation.
Bottom Line
Now that you know the pros and cons of telehealth and what you can do to make it work, It’s up to your family to decide what works for you. Give therapy (in-person or virtual) about 6 months to work and if you’re still not feeling it, try something different. The important thing is getting your child ANY help as early as possible.
Comment Below:
Love it or hate it? Share your thoughts on virtual therapy.
