People have often asked me, “What made you become a speech therapist?”
And over the years my answer has changed. Originally, I decided to major in Speech Language Pathology because my dad made the suggestion as my major and told me he thought it would be a “good fit.” Lucky for me it turned out it was the best fit and probably the only fit. Being a Speech Language Pathologist has shaped who I am as a person.
As a Speech Language Pathologist, I get to help not only children, but I also get to help their families. Nothing is more rewarding then watching a parent hear their kid using real words for the first time. The look on a parent’s face when their child uses sign language or pictures to make requests without having a tantrum, or when a nonverbal child uses their device to ask for something in a complete sentence. It is all of these rewarding moments that make what I do so important to me. I truly value all of the relationships I have built with families over the years as a therapist and love hearing about how past students are doing. It is these relationships that have helped make me a better therapist and truly drive my passion for my work.
While we are all in this strange transition period of not knowing whether or not schools are going to be reopened, I have decided to offer teletherapy as an additional service to make sure that all children continue to receive their speech and language sessions during this strange time. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all!
What is Teletherapy?
· Real-time face-to-face services provided in an online format. Students and therapist are able to see, hear, and interact with one another in real time in an online learning environment.
· Individual and group therapy can be offered
· Services provide the same benefit as traditional format. Traditional therapy techniques and activities provided using technology and different software tools.
· Research has showed progress to be comparable. Services continue to be provided by an ASHA certified therapist, therefore there is no change in the quality of services.
Benefits of Teletherapy:
· Services can be provided in a convenient way in the comfort of your own home!
· Parents can be active participants in the session to help facilitate carryover of skills. Teletherapy gives parents the chance to be as involved in therapy as they want to be. Teletherapy provides the chance to provide direct parent training or indirect training by having the parent be a facilitator in the room during therapy.
· Students thrive in a technology-based environment. Therapist utilizes technology to help engage students through video interactions.
· Services can be continued without gaps. Consistency is extremely important when working on speech and language skills.
Who can Benefit from Teletherapy?
- Homeschooling families
- Children who are ill, homebound or have compromised immune systems
- Families who live too far from a clinic or have difficulty with transportation
- Children who benefit from the consistency of having therapy in a familiar setting.
- Families who want additional speech therapy services.
- Families who need a flexible schedule.
What do you need?
- A computer, iPad, or Tablet
- Webcam (which are typically built in on many of these devices
- Internet Connection
- If you have ever used FaceTime or Skype you are able to participate in teletherapy.
- It’s that simple!
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or if you are interested in receiving Teletherapy services for your child or request a free consultation!
Email: NicoleR@SpeechBarnLLC.com
Call or Text: (609) 878-0892
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