Enhancing online therapy for children with disabilities. Strategies for success.

Take time to engage in a pre-session discussion with a professional to fully understand the format and what will happen during the sessions. Discuss what preparation you need to do for the session. They may offer valuable insights and suggestions tailored to your child's needs. This could include having items like a cozy floor mat, engaging toys, or readily available creative drawing materials. Remember, professionals are there to support you and may provide additional resources to enhance the therapy experience.

Identify the goals you have in mind for your child and family, take a moment to reflect on what you hope to achieve through the therapy sessions. Evaluate the effectiveness of your current strategies and how they impact your child's progress towards those goals. It's important to consider areas where improvements can be made and address any concerns that arise along the way. Remember to take your child's interests into account. Professionals are here to help, and they can incorporate those interests into therapy activities, making them more engaging and enjoyable. By working together, you can create a therapy experience that aligns with your child's passions and maximises their growth potential.

Develop a plan for organising therapy sessions around your family's routines, such as mealtimes that already exist within your daily schedule. Remember to involve other family members when necessary. They can actively participate and contribute to the therapy process, fostering a sense of togetherness and support.

It's important to collaborate with your child to create a space where they feel comfortable and engaged. Together, determine a space that meets their specific needs and preferences. Look for a consistent space that is quiet, well-lit, and private, ensuring it's free from distractions. Consider your child's unique needs and abilities when setting up the therapy environment. Make sure their seating preferences are accommodated and provide any necessary fidget toys or comforting objects that can enhance their focus and relaxation. Anticipate potential movements during the session, allowing your child the freedom to express themselves comfortably.

Remember to gather any materials or tasks requested by professionals since the last session. Having everything prepared and within reach ensures a smooth and uninterrupted therapy experience. Consider recording the therapy sessions. This not only allows other family members to observe and learn the strategies covered but also provides you with the opportunity to review and identify areas for improvement. Alternatively, if recording is not feasible, consider having a support person present to take notes.

Preparation is key to ensuring success. This is especially important when it's their first experience or when working with a new professional. Take the time to have a warm and open conversation with your child about the purpose of the therapy session and the professional they will be interacting with. Drawing comparisons to familiar experiences, like visits to the doctor's office, can help them grasp the concept of online consultation therapy. Encourage them to ask questions, as their curiosity is valued and welcomed.

● For younger children, explain that the professional will appear on the screen and interact with them through play and conversation. Consider showing them a photo of the professional.

● Discuss with your child what to expect during each session. If you have pre-planned activities with the professional, explain these in advance. Visual supports, social stories, or other aids may be beneficial.

● Establish a routine to help your child recognise when it's time for a therapy session.

● Use visual schedules or other cues, such as using a special cloth on the table.

● If your child is not accustomed to wearing headphones but requires them for therapy sessions, practice using them beforehand.

● For older children and teenagers, discuss what they can expect during the session and how it may differ from an in-person session. Assure them they can freely communicate and share with the professional, just like in-person therapy.

● Do a test call to familiarise your child with the online session and software. They can practise with a family member in another room or a representative from the service. Allow them to explore the software, check the sound and ask questions.

● Involve your child in choosing the location for sessions. They might appreciate using a stop sign or "Meeting in progress" sign to indicate privacy and prevent interruptions.

● Reassure your child about their privacy rights. Consider playing music outside the room to ensure no one can overhear the session.

● Encourage your child to approach online consultation therapy with focus and commitment, similar to in-person sessions. Establish ground rules, such as avoiding distractions like scrolling through social media or having meals during the session. Muting notifications, closing unrelated applications, and keeping other electronic devices out of the room can be helpful.

• Introduce your child to the professional at the beginning of the session, similar to an in-person meeting if they haven't met before.

• Clearly communicate your expectations and desired outcomes for the session.

• Provide updates to the professional regarding any new developmental milestones or emerging behaviours since the previous session.

• If your child is engaged in an activity at the start of the session and transitioning proves challenging, discuss with the professional the possibility of adapting the session to incorporate their ongoing activity.

• Recognise that non-verbal cues and reactions may be more challenging to interpret compared to in-person therapy. Consequently, rely more on verbal communication.

Discuss online security measures. Some older children and teenagers may find reassurance in understanding that online consultation therapy is not accessible to others.

● Inform the professionals about your concerns so they can make necessary adjustments. For instance, if video-conferencing proves challenging with your child on certain days, suggest occasional parent-only sessions where you can share videos you've recorded during the week. Parent-only sessions can also be used to discuss managing your child's behaviour.

● Revisit your child's and family's goals with the professionals and explain why you believe the sessions are not helping achieve these objectives. Seek clarification on the next steps and inquire about activities or strategies that professionals can incorporate into the therapy sessions.

● Explore alternative online consultations therapy approaches offered by other services to determine if they might better suit your family's needs.

Online consultations are an assessment and therapy services run over the phone, or via videoca

Online consultation services are generally available immediately, as you have access to our clinicians nationwide. This gives you more options about finding the right therapist for you, and for some, the added benefit of privacy.

Online consultations take the stress out of having to travel to services, or having to be in the right place at the right time. You can just switch on your device wherever you are and you are ready to go.

This means you maximise your funding, and can access more services with your budget, as you will not need to pay for travel.

You remain in control of your surroundings at all times. Online consultations can therefore offer a more relaxed, anxiety-free, less confronting environment, encouraging easier dialogue between you and your therapist.

Most of our assessments and therapies are able to be completed via online consultations. Contact us for a confidential discussion to see whether this is the right option for you.