Tips for a Productive Teletherapy Session
Many of you are several weeks into your new “normal” of telehealth due to the onset of distance learning. As is the case when we learn new skills, we start by learning the basics and how to provide distance learning. Then we start to expand our skill set and try new ideas. Along the way, we need to make sure that our students are engaged and learning new skills too. Bottom line – it is hard right now. You may feel scattered, overwhelmed and unproductive. And, guess what? So do your students. Here are a few tips to help foster productive teletherapy sessions.
Establish a Routine
Children right now need routine more than ever. Everyone’s lives have been turned upside down. By establishing a routine that you follow each telehealth session, the children will be able to anticipate what comes next and what is expected of them. This takes time, so be patient and stick to the routine whenever possible.
Use Visual Supports and a Visual Schedule
While you are establishing the routine, using visual supports can be very helpful. Do your students and parents understand what is expected of them during teletherapy sessions such as staying focused on the computer when needed, muting themselves if their is excessive background noise, how to ask for help, etc? Every students needs are different but some children can be independent but may need to be taught the skills to stay engaged during the session.
Let your students know what you will be doing each session. This does not need to be super specific. For example, your visual schedule with text or pictures to show the flow of your routine could include the following:
- Warm Up Activity
- How to Do the Activity
- Complete the Activity
- Review or Cool Down
Make a checklist with your visual schedule. Mark off each activity and you move through the schedule.
Start with Movement for a Productive Teletherapy Session
Many children right now are spending much more time on screens. Sitting down for a 30 minute teletherapy session where they have to focus and be productive may be difficult if they have just come off a screen for entertainment or school work. To foster a productive telehealth session, try starting with a movement activity. Quick brain breaks are perfect for this. Roll Some Fun offers many options for movement activities for small spaces.
If you need a brain break that also builds self-awareness and self-regulation skills, check out the Interactive Brain Breaks with Animal Walks. Slides can be used during your virtual classroom morning meeting or by students as a break. The student selects a color-coded identification of their current internal state and energy level and then rolls dice to get a tool that fits their needs. Colors are compatible with Zones Of Regulation©.
If you are very short on time during the session, ask the parent to encourage the child to participate in physical activity before the telehealth session. This may help the student come to the session ready to sit down and engage with your activity.
Use Games to Keep it Fun
Just like you would in person, use games to keep the teletherapy sessions fun and novel. Children will be more engaged, more willing to participate and therefore you will have a more productive teletherapy session.
The Action Board Games includes 4 interactive board games to play on the computer, print them or even do both! The four games include Farm Action Game, Yoga Action Game, Candy Action Game and Body Action Game. These games are suitable for preschool age and up.
Ask your student if they have a favorite game in their own house that they would like to play with you. Brainstorm how you can use it during a teletherapy session.
Try a Parent Coaching Model for Productive Teletherapy Sessions
If your teletherapy sessions are not going as expected or if your student is not engaged with the computer activities, try a parent coaching model. Ask the parent to set up the webcam so you can see them participating with their child. Send an activity in advance that the parent will do with the child. If able ask the parent to wear a headset or wireless headphones so you can talk directly to them during the activity. You can guide the parents on how and when to provide verbal or physical prompts during the activity. Read more on a coaching model here.
Resource to Help with Overall Productivity
Do you struggle to complete tasks in an efficient manner? At the end of the day, do you feel like you waste hours of your time? Does the paperwork pile up until it feels insurmountable? No matter what you try, you seem to be spinning your wheels and never catching up.
Therapists, teachers, students, and parents can potentially reach their goals faster by using the Productivity and Time Management Planner because it teaches how to improve the quantity and quality of work you complete each day.
