Comments on: 7 Technology Tips for Tele-Intervention

By: Dana Childress, PhD

Dana Childress, PhD — Tue, 26 May 2020 17:10:46 +0000

Thanks, Mary Ellen! This is a great reminder to revisit what’s worked before and tweak it to work now.

By: Mary Ellen Plitt

Mary Ellen Plitt — Tue, 26 May 2020 02:27:28 +0000

Love what you are doing here and thanks to everyone for all your tips. Like everyone, we have been inventing wheels, but I also appreciate falling back on what we have been doing all along. So, when doing intakes, I utilize the welcome book (That summarizes rights, e.i, pathway, principles and practices of e.i., etc.) that our system already uses, and just think about how to get the information across verbally (if phone is the only method the family can use), or by email, Text, etc. One less wheel.

By: Dana Childress, PhD

Dana Childress, PhD — Mon, 18 May 2020 14:12:23 +0000

In reply to Shivali Shah.

Great points, Shivali! I’ve heard others say that they hope tele-intervention will continue to be an option in the future for just the reason you mention. Getting to see what a child does naturally can be a game changer, especially when that child’s behavior would really change with the unfamiliar person in the room.

By: Shivali Shah

Shivali Shah — Mon, 18 May 2020 03:39:54 +0000

Thank you Dana for the concise and helpful strategies for tele intervention.
I am a PT with Fairfax county and over the past couple months, I have come to terms with the new normal.
I definitely feel that preparing for Assessments and tele sessions beforehand has made me feel confident for a smooth tele session. I feel that I am being creative in supporting parents to learn new strategies for helping their children with meeting developmental milestones. My favorite is using a doll to model strategies and having parents practice those strategies during the session. Tele sessions have been helpful for some of my kids who are very nervous with having a new person in the house.

By: Dana Childress, PhD

Dana Childress, PhD — Wed, 13 May 2020 17:03:43 +0000

In reply to Jen Saddington.

Great tip, Jen! Yes, flexibility and mutual support are so important right now! Thanks for joining the conversation!

By: Jen Saddington

Jen Saddington — Wed, 13 May 2020 15:59:28 +0000

I love your tips about troubleshooting technology. Another success that I’ve had with troubleshooting is that if the family has another device they can try sometimes one connects better than another. I’ve also switched between my phone and laptop with success. I feel like the unpredictability of technology is one of the biggest ongoing challenges with telepractice, as there are so many potential technology glitches that are not “user error”, thus more challenging to know how to correct. We have a group chat of all our interventionists and we often help message about technology problems we are having, sometimes in real time, so we can benefit from each other’s experiences and advice.

By: Dana Childress, PhD

Dana Childress, PhD — Wed, 13 May 2020 15:01:49 +0000

In reply to Wilma Robin Bridget-Scott.

Good for you, Wilma! I love your sense of humor. Thanks for bringing up how the tech check also is a social check in with the family. That might take longer than the 15 min I suggested but it sounds like such a valuable thing to do to take the time to listen and connect so planning for the extra time would be well worth it!

By: Wilma Robin Bridget-Scott

Wilma Robin Bridget-Scott — Tue, 12 May 2020 21:37:01 +0000

I am a PT with Fairfax County and am surprised and proud of my newfound technology skills. Tele-intervention has forced me kicking and screaming into the world of technology! My own tech savvy family members don’t get to laugh at me as much anymore. My families and I find ourselves laughing at our technology challenges as we help each other thru glitches. During the sessions the “tech check” usually turns into a social/life happening update from the families. They too are seeking some safe, non-family member, interaction time. It’s good to see older siblings helping parents with the sessions as well.

By: Deb Hatherill

Deb Hatherill — Wed, 06 May 2020 20:31:32 +0000

I am a PT with Fairfax ITC. Over the past month of practicing tele-intervention both providers and families are becoming more comfortable with the scenario and less rattled by the technology glitches. With quarantine and parents working from home I have had the opportunity to involve both parents (at the same time) in sessions together with the child. Two families have reported they feel even more empowered to facilitate change/progress with their child. As they practice handling techniques together, each observing and coaching the other during the session they report being more accountable during all routines between sessions. This has been particularly rewarding as their children master transitioning from one position to another. Both families have expressed a desire to continue with some tele practice sessions after we have a new normal.

By: Dana Childress, PhD

Dana Childress, PhD — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 12:17:57 +0000

In reply to Cori Hill.

Ha! We learned our tech troubleshooting from the best! 🙂