4 Frequently Asked Questions About Teletherapy

Teletherapy allows students everywhere to make face-to-face connections with the most qualified, experienced, and passionate telepractitioners. Many people have questions about what telepractice looks like and how to make a seamless transition. Here are 4 of the most frequently asked questions about teletherapy that we get: 

1. Can I work while traveling?  

A good rule of thumb to follow is, you need to be licensed where you are sitting and where your student sits. Traveling between locations can become expensive because you will need to maintain licensure for every state/location you expect to be at during an assignment. International travel can also become expensive since you will need licensure and possibly a work visa from the location you will plan to be at. Please review the countries laws regarding working from there (making an income) and make sure you meet the professional requirements before attempting to travel while practicing teletherapy. 

2. What materials should I use? How do I keep my students engaged? 

The beauty of telepractice is that you have the option to keep it all digital or bring in other elements outside the digital world. If you are a VocoVision therapist, we offer the flexibility that allows you to use your own creative resources, as well as what is in our Toolkit. For example, you can include print material for the student in person with the help of a facilitator, or you can share flashcards on your side through your screen. 

The most important thing to consider is the students’ interest, the session goals, and the environment. We recommend thinking outside the box and getting creative with resources like puppets, stuffed animals, dice, etc. – after all, you’re outside of a classroom setting!

3. How do you assess students remotely? Is it valid?

We can assess students via telepractice using print materials and digital materials. Publishers have validated standardized tests for telepractice administration, ensuring we can use the scores for eligibility purposes. We can also use non-standardized tasks to assess our students, just like we would when assessing a student in person. 

Somethings to consider when assessing students via telepractice are:

• The environment on both sides (student and examiner).
• The tools used and if anything is needed on the student side.
• The audio input and output to ensure a clear sound.
• Facilitator expectations for the assessment session

4. What does the schedule look like? Can I see students when I’m available or does it have to be during the school schedule? 

Telepractice is a great service delivery model when you’re looking for a flexible schedule because you can work outside your time zone. However, you are tied to the school bell schedule and must serve students within school hours. Consider time zones when you are getting licensed and how that would fit your lifestyle and personal responsibilities.

If you have additional questions or concerns about teletherapy, reach out to our team here.