Can Toddlers do teletherapy?
Have you ever watched a 3 year old living their best life (free, wandering, and wild) and wondered how on earth they could possibly do teletherapy?? ✋ me too. Turns out- they can! And it can be effective! But how, you ask? Enter the latest research: Two recent studies by Retamal-Walter et al. shed some light on the factors that make or break the success of telehealth early intervention (EI) sessions.
Engagement is Key
Retamal-Walter et al. interviewed families and SLPs to explore how to maintain engagement in telepractice for EI (early intervention. This is kids up to the age of 3). They discovered that collaboration was vital. Here are some ideas for building engagement:
Family-Centered Care: You need parents who are on board for this to work.
Collaborative Planning: This enhances caregiver involvement.
Constructive Feedback: Parents need to know how they’re doing, but in a positive way.
Consistency and Technology: You need good, RELIABLE internet, for each session. Teletherapy with spotty wifi is not a good combo for kids with very small attention spans.
Variable Engagement: Expect engagement to fluctuate across sessions and with different SLP/caregiver pairs.
Practical Tips for Building Engagement
In another study, Retamal-Walter et al. provide practical tips for enhancing engagement in telepractice EI. They identified 64 key behaviors for quality telepractice based on expert consensus. While that list is incredible, here are just a few key takeaways:
Caregiver as Co-Therapist: Train the parents! They are the closest to their kids and will be interacting with them the most. Teach them the skills they need to teach their kids.
Responsive Feedback: Give tips and ask what parents need to feel supported.
Home Environment Integration: Home is where kids thrive- help parents see all the ways they can incorporate the strategies you teach them into their child’s daily routines right at home.
Optimized Telepractice Setup: Make sure the telepractice environment (ex: where they are doing the sessions) is ideal. Little kids need a quiet environment to maintain focus.
Lively Interaction: If you’ve ever played with a 2-3 year old, you know you’ve got to be engaging and fun! Even if you’re on a computer screen, you can make silly faces, move your body, and play games with them.
The studies also show that telepractice uniquely positions parents as the lead player in their child's early intervention. This is significant, given the challenge of involving caregivers in sessions in a meaningful way. Some parents may need more coaching to feel comfortable implementing the strategies they are taught. Make sure the parents know you’re there with them every step of the way. While telepractice isn't always ideal, it offers unique benefits and these strategies can help maximize its effectiveness for young clients and their families.
Source: Berns, Joanne (2022). Telepractice for Toddlers. Informed SLP. https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/telepractice-for-toddlers
