All About Early Intervention Teletherapy
Research indicates that early intervention produces successful results if started at an early age. Early intervention, also known as early childhood intervention or ECI, is the term used for the family-centered treatment of babies or young children who have developmental delays and disabilities. Because younger children are highly adaptable, early intervention can improve a child's quality of life, foster growth, and enhance family dynamics.
Early childhood intervention creates a better future for a child's life, making it a crucial part of a child's development. As vital as early intervention is, in-person meetings may not always be possible — or even necessary. As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, technology offers a way to conduct in-depth early intervention therapy through telehealth services.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth utilizes communication and digital technology to conduct medical and mental health care services. By using formats such as computers and mobile devices, telehealth can offer assistance to individuals remotely, making service easily accessible to more people.
Who can use telehealth?
Fortunately, telehealth can be available to anyone who wishes to use it. Reasons for using telehealth can be personal or logistic. Some people prefer the convenience of telehealth services. For others, distance and immediate lack of resources can be a factor. Infection control concerns, health issues, and many other determinants can influence the use of telehealth. What's important to know is that telehealth is available to anyone.
Can telehealth be used for early intervention?
Early intervention telehealth is available for all families and offers a variety of benefits. Using digital technology, providers can observe a child's behaviors and interactions at home with their families. Uninterrupted monitoring while a child engages with their daily environment gives providers a wealth of information to develop treatment interventions and family education.
Through virtual early intervention, families can collaborate with providers to create goals for their child, ask questions, and allow insight into family values and dynamics. Listening to parents' expectations and experiences through teleintervention sessions enables providers to align their strategies to meet the child's needs more accurately.
Early intervention teletherapy also cultivates consistent and up-to-date feedback between families and providers without waiting for in-person appointments. As most families with children who have disabilities know, developing daily routines and keeping structure is an essential aspect of early intervention programs. Virtual early intervention enables families to maintain their schedules and continue to meet with providers in the comfort of their own homes.
Is teleintervention effective?
Yes, early intervention telehealth can be very effective. Teletherapy can be used in conjunction with regular in-person sessions or in place of in-person sessions. The therapy and education given to children and families are not dependent on in-person interactions, and the services provided are much more immediate and accessible. For many families, ECI telehealth is a vital addition into their treatment toolbox.
How can early intervention teletherapy work for you?
At ECCM, we offer ECI telehealth for you and your child. Don't let distance get in the way of establishing the early interventions your child needs for a fulfilling future. ECCM performs the same treatments during teleintervention, such as childhood screens and treatment coordination, as we do for in-person services, and the quality is always the same. Whether it’s done in-person or remotely, at ECCM we are dedicated to setting your child on the right path. Reach out to us to see if early intervention teletherapy is right for you.