Today, Genna and I discuss our approach to treating our clients with autism and sensory processing challenges via Telehealth. We found several key components to the success of our Telehealth treatment sessions. First, we recommend building a rapport with your client and establishing a trusting relationship with their caregiver. Next, preparing for your sessions. For us, that included spending preparation time creating individualized client packets (affordable items we wanted to utilize during sessions) as well as visual schedules with additional icons. Another important component is being creative with how to facilitate meaningful, sensory based activities via Telehealth. Depending on the student’s level of engagement, we have found our role as an OT as a facilitator. This has been a great opportunity to discuss our OT goals with the caregiver, as well as instruct them on how to set up the environment and how to best provide support and cues during our sessions. Overall, there is so much potential to facilitate adaptive responses and see growth in a child with autism via Telehealth OT sessions. However, we do both acknowledge that for some children and caregivers, this may not be the optimal mode of service delivery. For our momma segment, Genna is in the midst of potty training and she shares what she is trying now. I share some tips of what has worked well when potty training my girls.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for occupational therapy services. Please contact a licensed and registered occupational therapist for individualized consultation and/or treatment. If you or your child already receive support from an occupational therapist, it is recommended you consult with your therapist prior to participating in our recommendations.

This podcast episode presents the views of only these two occupational therapists: Genna Espinoza and Shannon Perez.