Discovery Therapy Network is committed to our mission of providing services and education to increase therapeutic advancements for parents, educators and professionals. We pride ourselves on delivering knowledge and information on break through advancements in therapy to help children, families and support schools. Given these unprecedented times with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is our goal to support students’ therapy needs by adding online telehealth services for occupational therapy and speech therapy. Telehealth uses information and communication technology to provide therapy to enhances overall growth and development.
Teletherapy is an evidence-based service delivery model proven by research to be just as effective as direct treatment (Shigekawa, Fix, Corbett, Roby, Coffman, 2018). It has been proven to be effective for children as measured by discipline specific outcomes (Zylstra, 2013). This service delivery model allows for family centered healthcare by providing more information to impact functional routines.
We provide scheduled appointments for parents and invite them to be a part of our sessions. Family education on therapy strategies are implemented in the home during functional routines.
Our service model includes school system services to meet the needs of children who have Individualized Education Plans (IEP) to support their academic success. Our staff will implement evaluations and services for new IEPs or established IEPs for weekly services, monthly consults, compensatory therapy or summer Extended School Year (ESY) services. We are committed to supporting teachers and administrators in implementing programs within the classroom. Staff training are also available to support schools or system wide implementation of skills via staff training on self-regulation, assistive technology, adaptive or compensatory therapeutic techniques.
In line with [the] Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, HIPAA compliant connections are used to protect privacy for patients. We use a variety of internet based educational platforms, websites and apps to enhance learning for kids. Our goal is for students to fully engage in our sessions and learn competencies to improve language, communication, fine motor, gross motor and sensory self-regulation skills.
We can incorporate synchronous communication via live interactive teletherapy sessions. Asynchronous communication is available for families who may have challenges with consistent internet connections. Please call us today at 800-292-4120 for more information.
References
Evidence: A Rapid Review. Health Affairs, 37(12), 1975–1982. Doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05132
Shigekawa, E., Fix, M., Corbett, G., Roby, D.H., Coffman, J. (2018). The Current State of Telehealth.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Public Law 104-191, was enacted on August 21, 1996.
Zylstra, S.E. (2013). Evidence for the use of telehealth in pediatric occupational therapy. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, and Early Intervention pp 326-355.