Such great information, Nancy. I’d love to read about the sensory/cognitive dissonance during this pandemic. There are certainly lots of smells I miss but even more I miss hugs! Be well.

Great tips, Nancy! Thanks for adding them to this post. I love the 20-20-20 rule and yes, the excessive sitting is hard. I found the sensory experience info from the thread you shared really interesting – I hadn’t really thought about that before. Social connections are so different right now. I just watched a great new video, Supporting Families During the Pandemic: Four Therapists Share Their Wisdom (https://ectacenter.org/topics/disaster/ti-service.asp#four-therapists), during which a PT said that one of his families said seeing him in a virtual visit helped them create a sense of normalcy for the family. I loved that because it meant that, while it was different, the connection was still there!

Thanks, Dana. Our new slogan, right? 🙂

Thanks for your comments, Prem. It is wonderful that you have such a great support team, especially with IT assistance. And I COMPLETELY agree with you that this current situation has really “required” (or perhaps promoted/encouraged) us to be much more proactive reaching out and connecting with our colleagues, friends and families. Be well!

I do not have children but also see colleagues juggling their duties incredibly. In many ways, I have felt closer to colleagues because this has been hard! But we have seen colleagues coming together in such proactive ways to solve problems. We have a volunteer technical workgroup team of those who work well troubleshooting technical difficulties online, who have been so generous to work with those more challenged in the Microsoft Teams computer platform. I have seen people cheering others on, rallying to keep mobile eligibilities going. I too have felt the need to keep my morning routine intact. It has been hard work and for me organization and clear communication has bee required in new ways.

The telepractice format has strengthened my coaching skills, forcing me to remember the to follow-steps in the coaching protocol such as putting the parent first, and hitting more targets with regards to being intentional and asking open-ended questions. I have props nearby to help me model a strategy I have seen the parent do, to provide support. It has also allowed me to listen more closely to the parent. This is especially true when establishing a relationship with a new client where somehow telepractice has given me the permission to take time to observe the child…working-together with the parent to get the camera set so I have a good view of the child and or parent.

It has been helpful to schedule my lunch and force myself to take breaks for self-care, and
use timers on my phone to get up and move which goes a long way. I am very proud of our team and honored to bring support to families during this challenging time.

Awwww…that’s my “Gwacie!” Thanks, Gracyn Hill. It WAS an adjustment for all of us. Children struggle to understand that “Momma is home but not always available.” Strategies: Help children (and sometimes partners, too) understand the parameters and muster LOTS of patience as this change in routine occurs. I do stick to this suggestion—my girls learned that when “Momma was in her office, she was working.” Now for dogs, since I have two very loud, snoring English bulldogs, helping them find a place to settle actually did the trick. They both have their own beds in my office, right at my feet. I tell them each morning, “Time to go to work” and they trek right in.

Thanks, Beth. I think SO MANY are working out the kinks which is very natural with such a significant change in “ways of doing business.” If I can help, let me know.