Let me tell you why I LOVE virtual speech therapy... even as a Nature-based SLP.
March 2020, most therapists were stopped in their tracks due to COVID-19.
We weren't sure how to continue providing services to our clients in an effective and confidential way. Many therapists just stopped providing services altogether, and so many children went without services spanning over that 1-2 year period.
Luckily, I worked for an innovative, adaptable company at the time who has always been a fierce advocate for families and therapists alike- Arizona Autism. Within two weeks of the shutdowns, they assisted their therapists in adapting to the telepractice world! They trained us and gave us the confidence and tools to provide effective, evidence-based therapy via a virtual platform. And you know what... I LOVED IT. I was blown away by some of my clients that I would not have expected were candidates for virtual therapy.
Individuals with social anxiety were more engaged than ever.
Complex communicators and non-verbal children using AAC communicated via virtual platform.
Drilling articulation targets became more engaging especially using auditory/video feedback technology for self monitoring.
Parents saved drive time and improved effectiveness of busy schedules.
Rural clients who did not have access to in-person therapists, suddenly had access to speech therapy.
Online therapist communities EXPLODED with sharing ideas, strategies, resources, etc. to support each other and our clients.
But this is what I loved most: The Caregiver-Therapist Team Dynamic.
More than ever, the parents were participants in their child's therapy sessions, and I was able to coach the parents how to use and carryover therapy strategies at home. More than ever, I was providing resources to the families that were actually implemented in the home program. My families and I thrived off of the virtual platforms, and I grew to love the team relationship that the virtual platform fostered.
*Disclaimer- Not everyone is a candidate for virtual speech therapy, but I offer a free virtual consultation if you want to give it a try! Just book a free consultation here.
So how does NATURE tie into virtual therapy you ask??
My clients targeted goals while helping me feed my bearded dragon and fish. Maybe they were targeting yes/no questions and had to say yes/no to various food I should feed the animals. I would bring in bugs, leaves, and dirt boxes to examine under a doc cam to expand expressions and build vocabulary. We grew seeds together. We even raised caterpillars, ladybugs, praying mantis, and worms together. I showed videos of me releasing the butterflies to my virtual clients.
Im always incorporating nature into every aspect of my life, so NatureTalks LLC is just a natural evolution of my style of therapy. You can rest assured that my clients are going to get some nature enrichment throughout our sessions!
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