April 05, 2020

Gateways Online Therapy ensures children and teens can keep working towards goals during lockdowns

Six-year-old Raymond usually has his occupational and speech therapy sessions at school.

But while he is home with his family during the COVID-19 pandemic, he accessing these important supports online. His Dad, Lingan, says this ensures his son can keep improving and moving forward with his goals.

‘Kids still need to improve every day so if the kids stop learning and do other things I think they are not going to improve anymore,’ Lingan says.

‘So for video conferencing to keep things going, to maintain and let kids like Raymond keep going and not fall back it is a very good temporary help.’

Raymond is having his OT and speech therapy sessions via Zoom and Microsoft Teams on his iPad, with times booked directly through the therapist to flexibly suit his family’s needs.

‘Times are very flexible and right at home. We don’t have to dress up and hurry or go somewhere and find parking,’ Lingan says. ‘You just stay home and when it is time you click the link and you’re ready to go.’

He says the iPad works best for Raymond because it enables him to walk around and show his therapist things, which has even included a recently learned rendition of Baby Shark on the piano.

‘Raymond has his own room, also his own desk, his own iPad ready for this video conference,’ Lingan says.

‘It is much better and easy and Raymond is very excited seeing another person on his iPad.’

Therapy and Inclusion Support Manager Bernadette Walker says technology ensures participants can continue working on goals with their therapist even when they can’t physically be together.

‘In this way Gateways can offer continuity of service, real-time support and familiar, friendly faces in uncertain times,” Bernadette says.

‘We can deliver resource packs to your door that can be worked through during online therapy to reinforce learning and integrate goals into daily life.’

Lingan says Raymond – who enjoys watching Larva, Numberblocks and craft videos, drawing the characters and learning piano – has embraced the new way of attending therapy sessions.

‘It’s new technology and Raymond loves it.’

Gateways Online Therapy service is available for clients across all teams from 0-12 and Youth Plus and can be booked directly with your therapist. Booking times are flexible, can run from a minimum of 30 minutes and (depending on your NDIS plan) can be delivered more frequently if desired to suit you and your family during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

To learn more about how Gateways Online Therapy can benefit you, please discuss with your Gateways therapist or contact Bernadette Walker on 0409 581 421.

(Main photo credit: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash)