The COVID-19 pandemic put everything online (who knew we’d all become Zoom experts?), including specialty pediatric services. While virtual sessions were necessary during the pandemic, they have proven to be a flexible, accessible, and effective way to receive care—and it’s here to stay. Virtual speech and occupational therapists are embracing this shift, creating dynamic and engaging sessions that can happen from the comfort of your home. Let’s talk about teletherapy and why we think it’s here to stay.
What is teletherapy?
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, teletherapy is best described as providers using online tools to deliver one-on-one therapy. Talk therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists commonly use teletherapy, since these services don’t require you to have physical contact or use specialized tools.
Take occupational therapy for example, providers can effectively transform these virtual sessions using innovative new techniques, such as screen sharing or a digital whiteboard, making it super adaptable to virtual settings. One recent survey found that telehealth accounted for around 50% of sessions in a sample of over 2 million therapy sessions, showing how much teletherapy is now a part of our modern healthcare system.1
Backed by Evidence
The rapid transition to teletherapy made researchers wonder about its effectiveness. One study looked at whether teletherapy could reflect the outcomes of in-person therapy during the pandemic.2 The results? There was no significant difference between the two groups on key assessments. Both in-person and telehealth participants reported improved quality of life. Different settings, same results. Christina Burnham, one of Beaming’s speech therapists, moved from in-person to virtual during the pandemic; she’s seen her speech clients do just as well online as they do in-person.
Benefits of Teletherapy
Teletherapy comes with so many great perks for both therapists and patients. Here’s why it’s a win for everyone:
1. Convenience and Accessibility
Teletherapy gets rid of barriers like transportation, PARKING, and scheduling issues, making it easier for you to get the care you need! For our busy parents managing school and activities, it’s a super convenient way to fit therapy into a packed day.
2. Flexibility
Forget all about lengthy commutes and rigid appointment times – teletherapy meets you where you are. The flexibility allows sessions to be tailored to your individual routine and lifestyle.
3. Comfort
Having your therapy sessions right at home can help ease nerves and make things feel more comfortable, especially for the kiddos. Being in their “safe space” can make it easier for them to engage, have fun, and make progress. We’ve heard from our own occupational therapist, Kim Arzillo, that working with her kids in the comfort of their own homes can make them feel more safe and relaxed.
4. Tech Advancements
In today’s fast-changing digital world, teletherapy uses innovative tech to make experiences even better. A lot of our speech therapists use fun tools like interactive games, software, and videos to create diverse, engaging, and collaborative sessions that work for your child.
Is Teletherapy Right for You?
It might be! Figuring out what’s best for your child depends on different factors like age, insurance coverage, and the kind of therapy that best suits their needs. If you’re interested, we recommend talking to a provider who does teletherapy to learn more about their approach. Many providers also offer free consultations to determine the right fit for your child!
What’s Next?
Teletherapy is a great way to get care for your child that’s flexible, easily accessible, and effective – and it’s still going strong after the pandemic! Here at Beaming Health, we connect you with amazing virtual speech and occupational therapy providers who are all about supporting your child’s individual needs. Whether you’re looking for therapy that fits your busy schedule or want to ensure your child gets the best care from the comfort of home, we’ve got you covered. Ready to get your kid started with care quickly? Click here to learn more about how we can help find speech therapy and OT services!
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- Bulkes, N. Z., Davis, K., Kay, B., & Riemann, B. C. (2022). Comparing efficacy of telehealth to in-person mental health care in intensive-treatment-seeking adults. Journal of psychiatric research, 145, 347–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.11.003
- Reed, Mary et al. “Telemedicine Versus In-Person Primary Care: Treatment and Follow-up Visits.” Annals of internal medicine vol. 176,10 (2023): 1349-1357. doi:10.7326/M23-1335
