Telehealth; Making quality speech pathology services accessible for all.
Early Start Speech Pathology are now offering Telehealth sessions for children in rural and remote communities. Research into Speech Pathology and Telehealth is a growing area and there is now a strong evidence base that providing speech pathology intervention via Telehealth can be as effective as face to face therapy. Early Start Speech Pathology have been in Wallsend, NSW for over ten years and are well respected for their professionalism, passion, creativity and enthusiasm when it comes to bettering the lives of children with communication, literacy and social difficulties.
Telehealth has many advantages for children in rural and remote communities. You just need a computer, laptop or tablet with NBN, ADSL or 4G connection. The sessions are held just like a clinic session. The therapist will work one on one with your child and be available to demonstrate and discuss all therapy targets and homework with the parents. The Speech pathologists are able to assess your child’s speech, language and literacy skills as well as provide ongoing therapy and parent training.
Session length will vary depending on what is required. For example, the evidence suggests that for a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech requires regular intensive therapy, up to three times per week. This is really hard to achieve in a clinical setting as it means getting to the clinic three times per week or sending a therapist to the child’s environment which can be time consuming and costly. But it’s is really easy to achieve with Telehealth as the sessions can be three 15 minute sessions per week, no need to leave the house and keeps the costs down!
There is strong evidence to suggest that telehealth works for children with articulation difficulties, speech sound disorders, language delay and disorders, early language development, literacy delays and parent training for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Speech and language disorders can have a big impact on a child both academically and socially. We believe that no child should miss out on the opportunity to access quality speech pathology intervention so all children can achieve their communicative potential.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What funding options are there?
NDIS and private health can be used for telehealth sessions. Parents are able to pay privately as well.
What do families need?
We are using a Telehealth system called Coviu that has been designed with Speech pathologist in mind, httpsss://www.coviu.com/
All that families need are:
(1) Internet: min of 0.35 Mbps up and down – could be ADSL or 4G hotspotted
(2) Devices: Laptop, Desktop, iPad, Android Tablet with access to the camera and microphone in the device
(3) Software: Google Chrome, Coviu app for iOS/iPad
(4) A quiet space 🙂
Can it be used at school?
It can, but sometimes school’s have a strong firewall that may not let Coivu connect. The home environment, preschools and libraries may be used with more success.
What are the session lengths?
ESSP are able to provide 30, 45 and 60 minute sessions. The frequency of the sessions depend on what is being treated. Sessions can be three times a week, once a week, once a fortnight or monthly.
Is it secure?
Coviu is a safe and secure environment. None of the data that is exchanged in a Coviu call is saved anywhere. All of the call, including audio, video and data, is encrypted between you and the practitioner so nobody can listen into the call.
How can I book my child in or find out more?
Call 02 49 555 415 or email amy@earlystart.com.au. We can send you an information pack with more information. We offer the first 15 minute session free so you can test it out with peace of mind to see if it will work for you and your child.
