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Lessons Learned in Telehealth Services
Lessons Learned in Telehealth Services: Tips for Professionals and Families
By Alana Ianello, MAT, BCBA & Louise Southern, M.Ed., BCBA
The world seems vastly different than it was in 2019. As we try to adjust to wearing facial coverings, staying at home, working from home, meeting virtually, and online schooling, many must also explore the world of telehealth. Telehealth services typically involve live, two-way video interaction between a professional and the client (the individual, and their caregivers). Almost overnight, many caregivers had to learn how to navigate new online and telehealth technologies to support their child. For some individuals with autism and their families, this period has been supremely challenging for many reasons.
Some individuals with autism respond effectively and independently to well-structured telehealth services. They interact with the professional, learn from the virtually delivered content, and enjoy those virtual sessions. However, other individuals with autism struggle to access and respond to telehealth without ongoing, direct facilitation or mediation by a caregiver. In these situations, the caregiver becomes the instructor, and the professional is there through telehealth to coach and support the caregiver as they work with the individual.
Telehealth Strategies and Guidelines
In any case, there are strategies and guidelines to consider when providing telehealth services to support individuals with autism, and below are just a few of these:
Assure that everyone is very comfortable with technology and the telehealth platform. Build in time to support individuals with autism and caregivers in accessing and using the technology. For some individuals with autism, it is most effective and appropriate to start with short telehealth sessions (5 or 10 minutes) and build up from there as they begin to understand and engage with this new format. It may be necessary to adjust goals during this unique and challenging time. Prioritize and focus on skills valued most by the individual and their family. For some caregivers/parents who are providing parentmediated telehealth services, it may be most effective to start with shorter sessions and build up from there. Again, it needs to work for the family. Discuss a plan with the caregiver to establish their needs session, identify the natural family routines and activities in which skills could be targeted. Prep the family with any materials needed for the session. Be sure to choose a time for telehealth sessions that aligns well with the caregiver’s schedule. It needs to work for the family. Structure the sessions for success. Use familiar visual supports (e.g., schedule, agenda, activities plan) to clarify what will happen and in what order for the individual with autism. There are a wide range of telehealth platforms, tools, and online resources that enable screen sharing, dynamic interactions, and varied response forms. While many individuals with autism may gravitate toward technology, some are not accustomed to interfacing with technology in this way. It is likely that the professional will need to take things slowly, and keep things relaxed and “work-free” at first. For instance, use preferred videos, music, and online interactive games. Build in breaks. Continual interaction in a virtual platform can be
for upcoming sessions. If a caregiver will be facilitating the overwhelming and exhausting for some. Continue to provide choices! We all need choices, especially in a time when it seems that our choices are incredibly limited for where we can go and what we can do. Provide
Our Clinical team can address your professional development goals
During COVID-19 and beyond, ASNC’s Clinical Department can provide live virtual training events using interactive and dynamic approaches to address a range of topics. We customize our trainings to meet the needs of your group. Below are examples of recent trainings: •
Best practices in instruction for students with autism
Supporting students with autism in regular education settings
Tiered framework for behavioral intervention in school settings
Contemporary approaches to functional behavior assessment and behavior intervention plans Strategies to promote socio-emotional skills Sexuality education in autism Let’s play! Addressing social engagement and communication in young children with ASD Self-advocacy, safety, connectedness and wellness: Addressing meaningful outcomes for adults with autism
Who do we train?
Workshops are tailored to professional groups across the state including, but not limited to, early intervention clinicians and instructors, K-12 regular and special education teachers, school administrators, community-based service providers, residential service providers, health-care professionals, vocational rehabilitation and employment supports professionals, emergency responders, and post-secondary educators. We go beyond the workshop/webinar format. Our approach includes follow-up projects and direct, individualized coaching as features of the professional development autism training package. Our clinical professionals will support your staff in implementing instructional interventions and behavioral strategies that are proven to be effective for individuals with autism. A variety of specialty and individualized autism training options are available.
choices regarding session activities and be ready to switch up activities if the individual is having a difficult day or if they would like to opt-out of an activity.
Consider presenting only previously mastered skills/ concepts in early telehealth sessions to help the individual stay successful, to prevent frustration, and to maintain skills already learned.
Celebrate successes no matter how small. Every step counts. This period of uncertainty and change provides us an opportunity to connect with individuals with autism in new ways, and to collaborate with parents and caregivers on an even deeper level. In these trying times (and always), it’s all about staying connected and using creative, individualized approaches to advance the outcomes that matter most to the individual with autism and their family. g
The ASNC Clinical Team provides LifeLong Interventions, telehealth, behavior support consultation, and training for parents and professionals. For more info, email clinical@autismsociety-nc.org or call 919-390-7242.
Free online resources
ASNC Clinical webinars are available on our website. Recent additions include: •
COVID-19 and Autism:
Teaching the rules in this new norm
Structuring the Academic Day during
Covid-19
Preventing Challenging Behaviors
Developing Calming, Movement and
Coping Routines
Sexuality Education To learn more, vis�t
