The shift toward telehealth therapy has opened up new opportunities for families and clinicians. For parents of children accessing allied health services—whether it’s speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, or behaviour therapy —telehealth offers flexibility, reduced travel, and access to specialists no matter where you live. For clinicians, it provides an efficient way to deliver care while reaching families across different regions.
But while allied health telehealth has clear benefits, it also comes with challenges: managing technology, keeping children engaged, and ensuring sessions are just as effective as face-to-face. The good news? With the right preparation, strategies, and support, telehealth for children can deliver excellent outcomes.
This blog is both a parent telehealth guide and a clinician telehealth support resource. You’ll find practical examples, checklists, and remote therapy tips designed to help everyone involved get the best from telehealth sessions.
1. Preparing for Telehealth: Setting the Stage for Success
Parents play a crucial role in making remote sessions work. Setting up a child-friendly space can make or break the session.
Checklist for parents:
- Choose a quiet, well-lit room with minimal distractions.
- Position the camera so the therapist can see your child clearly.
- Have therapy tools ready (toys, worksheets, sensory items).
- Test your internet connection and device before the session.
- Sit nearby to support—but avoid dominating the interaction.
Example: If your child is having a speech telehealth session, keep a few favorite picture books handy for interactive reading exercises.
Clinician Tips: Clinicians can empower families by giving clear instructions ahead of time.
- Send a short “telehealth readiness checklist” before the first session.
- Suggest equipment: headphones, a stable device, and child-friendly props.
- Provide a digital handout with troubleshooting steps for common tech issues.
- Remind families to log in five minutes early to reduce start-up stress.
2. Building Engagement: Making Remote Therapy Interactive
Parent Tips – Supporting Attention and Focus
Children may find it harder to focus during online sessions. Parents can help by:
- Keeping sessions short for younger children (20–30 minutes).
- Using positive reinforcement (praise, small rewards).
- Sitting close to encourage participation when needed.
- Allowing for breaks—movement helps children regulate.
Example: If your child is doing occupational therapy, encourage a quick “stretch break” every 10 minutes.
Clinician Tips: Clinicians can make allied health virtual care engaging by leveraging digital tools like interactive whiteboards or therapy games. For parents wanting broader child health strategies that complement therapy, offers evidence-based tips that align with at-home learning.
“Telehealth can deliver excellent outcomes when sessions are structured, families are prepared with simple home materials, and clinicians use consistent visual supports.”
— Laila Nieroukh, clinical director at daar
3. Communication: Strengthening the Parent–Clinician Partnership
Parents are partners in telehealth success. To make the most of sessions:
- Share updates about your child’s mood, routines, or changes in behaviour.
- Ask questions if instructions are unclear.
- Take notes during sessions to apply strategies at home.
Example: If your child struggles with following therapy cues, tell the clinician what motivates them (stickers, songs, or role-play).
Practical tip: Send a weekly “practice activity” via email or app, such as a speech articulation game or a handwriting activity.
4. Overcoming Technology Challenges
Parent Tips – Troubleshooting Basics
Parents often worry about tech issues derailing therapy. Here’s how to prepare:
- Always charge your device before the session.
- Use headphones to reduce background noise.
- Keep a backup plan (phone hotspot, alternate device).
- Teach older children how to log in independently.
Clinician Tips – Flexibility is Key: If video fails, continue via phone call or record a short demonstration video if live delivery is interrupted. It is best to offer tech “trial runs” for new families before the first therapy session.
Example: An occupational therapist might record a short demo of a fine motor activity and email it to the parent if the session drops out.
5. Maximising Outcomes: Making Telehealth Therapy Work Long-Term
The biggest gains happen when therapy continues outside the session. Every session can end with exactly one tiny home task (one activity, specific frequency) and a simple tracking method.
Parents can also:
- Embed therapy strategies into play, mealtimes, and routines.
- Celebrate small wins (a new word, improved balance).
- Keep a simple therapy journal to track progress.
Checklist for parents:
- ✅ Practice 5–10 minutes daily.
- ✅ Use everyday items (cups, spoons, toys) for skill-building.
- ✅ Share observations with your clinician weekly.
Parents who are accessing speech, occupational, or positive behaviour support services through telehealth can get the best outcomes by embedding strategies into everyday routines.
Clinician Tips: Clinicians should treat telehealth as dynamic, adapting goals as needed.
- Regularly review progress and adjust therapy plans.
- Use digital assessments and parent reports.
- Provide clear next steps at the end of each session.
Example: A speech pathologist may shift from articulation drills to social communication practice once a child meets initial goals.
Key Takeaways
- Telehealth is most effective when caregivers are coached to deliver short, repeatable activities.
- Keep materials and plans simple — families are more likely to follow one or two concrete tasks than a long programme.
- Align documentation and goals with NDIS expectations for clarity and easier plan reporting.
Conclusion: Telehealth That Works
Telehealth is here to stay—and when families and clinicians work together, the outcomes for children can be just as strong as in-person therapy. With preparation, communication, and ongoing support, remote therapy tips can transform sessions into meaningful, practical progress for children.
Parents, remember: you are not just observers—you’re partners in your child’s therapy. Clinicians, your role extends beyond direct therapy to guiding and empowering parents. Together, you can make allied health telehealth not just convenient, but highly effective.
Links:
Allied health virtual care – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/what-telehealth
Positive behaviour support services – https://daar.com.au
NDIS expectations – https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/rules-and-standards/ndis-practice-standards