By Magic Words Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Complex Needs, Raveena Reniga
We at Magic Words Therapy are currently getting to grips with using online therapy, some of us for the first time, as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown. We have been relishing the challenge to adapt to this new way of working and as a team we’re developing innovative new ways to provide speech therapy online. Here are our top 3 innovative uses of online speech therapy:
Arts and crafts – online therapy can and should be much more than just sitting at the computer. Therapists and clients can participate in practical activities together, e.g. creating art projects through turn taking, listening and following and giving directions. Craft projects can be completely tailored to each child’s interests, whether those interests be Lego, Peppa Pig or Spiderman. Something motivating can be created for every child.
Motivating games – an advantage of online therapy is that as the child is at home as opposed to school, the child’s most motivating toys are within arm’s reach, so us therapists at Magic Words have been using this to our advantage! Children can be really excited to share their favourite toys with us and become motivated when these are incorporated into the therapy sessions. This can work perfectly for listening and receptive language games. This is also a great way for parents to watch the games so that they can then repeat them, using toys they have to hand, between therapy sessions.
The World Wide Web – having a two-way screenshare option on our specialist platform has meant we are able to access the vast range of interactive activities and resources that are available to us online. We can adapt these to suit our therapy goals, working on targets whilst the children are having fun!
Online therapy is becoming more and more popular as a way for families to connect with expert speech and language therapists, and for all the right reasons. Our team at Magic Words is loving being part of this exciting journey of discovery into the vast potentials of online speech therapy.
