OHIO — Now that COVID-19 stay-at-home orders have limited services on a number of fronts, it's left many wondering what to do with children who have developmental and physical disabilities. Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy can mean the world to parents who have children with disabilities.

  • Stay connected and communicate more with school districts, teachers and therapists
  • Therapists are using teletherapy to work with families
  • Families unable to handle guided therapy at home should consult with doctors on next courses of action

So, at a time like this when contact has been eliminated, therapy sessions pushed online and parents unsure of what to do, school intervention specialist Erin Benner with the Mahoning County Educational Service Center says, communication is key.

"Teachers should be reaching out to them and helping them in any way that they can at least over the internet. " 

Benner's school district is offering telehealth services to meet the needs. For Benner, working with families can be brief or extensive.

"I am meeting with them a couple times a week and working on their IEP goals. Umm, sometimes just a conversation. It just depends on what they need for the time," she said. 

But schools aren't the only ones making the shift. Speech Pathologist Meagan Horn, with Nationwide Children's Hospital, works with a range of kids who are autistic, have Down syndrome or need help with feeding and swallowing. She too uses telehealth and teletherapy to coach parents. She says the coaching empowers them to incorporate therapy strategies at home.

So, for example she said, "As I watch them through the video, I would be able to help coach the parent in saying, try and say it this way and see if they respond differently or I really like the way that you encourage them. Let's see if we can get them to do it two or three more times. 
 
And for older kids who don't need hands-on parental assistance, Horn said, "I really work directly with the patient. We have some great technology through Zoom that allows us to share our screen. We can share activities, videos, games."

To date, she says it's eased some of the stress for families whose worlds were turned upside down.  

Both Benner and Horn say because this is such a critical time, parents  should be communicating more now than ever  with teachers, their school district and therapists to help their child in the best way possible.  
 
If you're in a position where your child has physical disabilities and it is beyond what you as a parent are able to handle, communication with occupational and physical therapists will help everyone involved to determine if in person therapy should occur and how.

Regardless, it's all about using resources at your fingertips to get your child what's needed.