Teletherapy Etiquette

Are you experiencing some unforeseen challenges with your online therapy sessions? As we all continue to grapple with the technology challenges associated with providing or receiving services online (see our post titled Teletherapy Success: Ideas for Those Delivering or Receiving Therapy Online for technology tips and ideas related to providing therapy online), we are learning of other unanticipated issues that may make it even more difficult to provide services effectively.  Luckily, for you, we have narrowed down our list of non-technology-related issues that may need to be addressed so that you can have a smooth therapy session.  We have attached a list of items, in English and in Spanish, that we include on the tip sheet we share with families when we are considering online therapy for their loved ones. As always, clear communication can yield positive results—as we have seen.  Please feel free to share these with your patients and email us at referrals@bilingualspeech.org with your questions.  We would love to hear your thoughts.         

1.   GENERAL RULES 

1. 1. All participants should be fully clothed during the teletherapy session 

   2. Patients should eat before their therapy or evaluation 

   3. All distractions (toys, food, electronics) should be removed from the patient and his or her surroundings 

   4. A responsible adult should be near the pediatric patient at all times 

   5. Only the patient and caregiver should be in the session

2.   For younger children:  

1. 1. Parents should not answer for their children 

   2. Parents are encouraged to let their children answer questions for themselves  

   3. Please allow your child’s therapist help your child in the way that will best elicit a response from the child—the therapist is trained to help your child in the best way possible 

PUNTOS IMPORTANTES PARA LA TERAPIA EN LINEA  

3.   REGLAS GENERALES 

1. 1. Todas las personas dentro de la visión de la cámara deberían estar completamente vestidas 

   2. Los pacientes deben comer antes de su tratamiento o evaluación  

   3. Todas las distracciones deben ser retiradas del paciente y del ambiente inmediato durante la sesión de terapia en línea  

   4. Si el paciente es un niño un adulto responsable debe estar cerca del paciente para la visita 

   5. Sólo el paciente y el cuidador deben estar en la sesión 

4. Para los niños más pequeños:  

1. 1. Los padres no deben responder para sus hijos  

   2. Los padres deben dejar qué sus niños contesten las preguntas del terapeuta 

   3. Por favor permita a la ayuda del terapeuta—el terapeuta ha sido entrenado para ayudar a su hijo del mejor modo posible

  

 Photo by Joshua Miranda from Pexels

If you or someone you know needs the services of a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, please be sure to discuss your concerns with a physician, a speech-language pathologist, or another qualified provider. You can also find a provider through the ASHA ProFind service or visit us at www.bilingualspeech.org for more information. NOTE: This article is intended only as a general source of information, i.e., it is not intended to replace information given to you by a qualified health professional that is familiar with your particular circumstances. If you have an urgent medical need, please seek immediate medical attention.