What is Tele-therapy?
Tele-therapy is a virtual form of physical therapy delivery that utilizes an interactive video and audio platform to facilitate the therapist-client interaction.
Tele-therapy can give families a safe and accessible option to continue to meet their therapy needs if they cannot access clinic. It also allows families who might be too far from a clinic to receive services without excessive travel.
How does tele-therapy work?
Here at Milestone, we use a platform called doxy.me! It is a HIPAA compliant platform that is easy to use and does not require the client to make an account.
At the time of your appointment you would use the link provided by Dr. McIntyre to enter her virtual waiting room and from there she will start the call with you!
How will it differ from an In person Appointment?
Luckily Dr. McIntyre already utilizes a parent-coaching model in most of her treatment sessions. She will facilitate you (the parent) to work with your child in a hands-on capacity. She will offer suggestions, feedback, and help with problem solving through different facilitations your child may need to work on gross motor patterns. Together, you will set goals during each session and come up with appropriate progressions to work on next session.
Similar to in-person sessions, Dr. McIntyre will also work to help you develop new habits and routines to add to or modify your daily activities that will support therapeutic goals.
It’s not too hard to be ready for your appointment but here are a few tips!
Equipment needed:
Phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone
Head phones, not necessary but can be helpful
Access to high speed internet
Set up your “therapy stage”
a well lit room, free of clutter
relatively quiet - potentially away from the rest of the family (depending on goals)
Camera angled to include floor space
Laying a yoga mat/blanket down and positioning the camera to include it fully lets you know you will always be in view of the camera if you are working with your kiddo and are not directly looking at the camera!
variety of games/toys to encourage activities in session
any equipment your child typically uses for therapy sessions
How do I prepare for a tele-therapy Session
Because this is a cash-based service, Milestone Pediatric Therapy is not bound by insurance payor rules and it actually allows for much more flexibility and ability to offer services over a virtual medium!
We can perform both initial evaluations as well as treatments for appropriate clients using a tele-therapy platform. And because it is virtual we can help anyone in any place!
How is tele-therapy different at Milestone?
In short - No, it is not.
However, Milestone Pediatric Therapy is excited to attempt tele-therapy with all clients who are interested.
Dr. McIntyre will still reserve the right to discontinue tele-therapy treatment with clients that are deemed to not benefit from this service.
Examples may include: poor parent engagement, poor internet connection, poor video/audio quality
She will offer suggestions on appropriate alternatives if it is decided tele-therapy is not appropriate. This may include resuming in-person sessions in clinic or home-based sessions, or recommended attending a different therapy establishment if the client is located at a great geographic distance.