Online occupational therapy may have once seemed like a futuristic concept but in the age of Covid-19, the future is now. Fortunately, technology and the research about the effectiveness of telehealth and occupational teletherapy were ready for this moment. As with many other things, (working from home, virtual classrooms, curbside pick-up, and the delivery of most everything), Covid-19 accelerated the need and immediate shift to occupational teletherapy.
Need to find an occupational therapist online? Zier Institute supports teletherapy throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. Typically an in-person evaluation is recommended to establish rapport with the child and family, and determine on a case-by-case basis the appropriateness of teletherapy for each family. While coronavirus continues, we are performing evaluations online, relying on our therapist’s clinical judgment and discussions with the parents to determine if teletherapy is a good fit for your child.
In the majority of cases, we are finding that online occupational therapy improves the quality of life and physical and mental wellbeing of kids and families utilizing this “new” method of therapy, especially now. As clinicians, helping patients stay as healthy, and emotionally regulated feels more important than ever.
Providing continued treatment through online therapy for the emotional, social, physical, and cognitive developmental needs of children will benefit many patients right now. Our hope is that insurance companies continue long-term Telehealth coverage for mental health that enables clinics like ours to continue treatment plans that offer opportunities for connection and meaningful interaction with kids and families in and outside the clinic. Small and large healthcare systems across the globe have proven how quickly we can mobilize to serve clients and patients by incorporating online therapy and care options.
Interested in the research about the benefits of telehealth occupational therapy mentioned above? Research articles for policy decision-makers, OT professionals, healthcare workers, and families are compiled below.
2020 articles:
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Parents’ Experiences with Implementing Therapy Home Programs for Children with Down Syndrome: A Scoping Review. Occupational Therapy In Health Care.
2019 articles:
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Telehealth as a model for providing behavior analytic interventions to individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
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Parent perspectives of an occupational therapy telehealth intervention. International Journal of Telerehabilitation.
- Report on the Use of Telehealth in Early Intervention in Colorado: Strengths and Challenges with Telehealth as a Service Delivery Method. International journal of telerehabilitation.
2018 articles:
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Feasibility of parent training via telehealth for children with autism spectrum disorder and disruptive behavior: A demonstration pilot. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
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Occupation-based coaching by means of telehealth for families of young children with an autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy
2017 articles:
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Feasibility of pediatric game-based neurorehabilitation using telehealth technologies: a case report. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
2016 articles:
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Implementing school-based telehealth for children with medical complexity. Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine. Available for purchase
2015 articles