How to implement remote, digital Speech Teletherapy / Telepractice
With the recent school and clinic closings due to COVID-19, many SLPs are looking into the e-learning options like Speech Therapy Telepractice to deliver remote services. I wanted to remind/show you that my resources you have downloaded CAN be used interactively as a NO PRINT method. In this post, I explain how to send resources to your families via email, Google Classroom, Seesaw and how to use resources (including Boom Cards) with telepractice. I hope this information helps!
Sharing resources with your families at home:
You are allowed to send any of my resources to parents on your caseload via email.
Option1: (on a MAC) First, make a new folder on your computer for the student or by topic (“Sally Q's speech folder” or “initial S” for example). Then, locate the resource file name on your computer you want to send, right-click on it to open a drop-down menu (don't open the file) select “open with” then choose “preview.” Select on the left side of the thumbnails the pages you want (command+select), Go to “file” then “print” then in that window Change the file name (example: Dice and Dot Initial R) select PRINT: “pages in the sidebar” then select PDF in the bottom lower dropdown menu – “save as PDF”ย then save to the student's folder. You can then send it to families or upload to Google Classroom or use in your Teletherapy sessions.
Option 2: If you have a PRIVATE Google Classroom or SeeSaw account, you may share MY therapy resources with YOUR caseload. *Every Teachers Pay Teachers seller has a different TOU, so you would need to check with others if they allow the same. Read below how to send Boom Cards this way.
Google Classroom is a free service for anyone with a personal Google account. Google Classroomโข๏ธ makes it easy for learners and instructors to connectโinside and outside of schools. Classroom saves time and paper and makes it easy to create student lists, distribute assignments, communicate, and stay organized. It is easy to set up and then you can email a link to students for them to access files. Again, my TOU allows you to share to a private-only account.
For Speech Therapy privacy purposes in Google Classroom, you would need to create a “class” for each student. I know that it seems overwhelming if you have a large caseload. The other option is to ask classroom teachers to add you as a “co-teacher” to assign activities. TIP! If you are added as a co-teacher on Google Classroom, adjust the notifications in “settings”…you're welcome.
Telepractice information:
First, you need to understand how teletherapy/e-learning can work legally and practically. Here is a link on ASHA's website regarding Telepracticeย and a link to state rules.
Reimbursement rates are the same as in-person therapy (just a different code) and Medicaid is allowing it in SOME areas but there is a lot of conflicting information with private insurance (BCBS, etc.) reimbursing so DO NOT start services before knowing you will get reimbursed!
Next, know your platform (you need screen sharing capabilities) for delivering services and understand HIPAA compliance. You may NOT use Facetime. I've seen SO MANY teletherapy platforms: Zoom, Adobe Connect, Cisco WebEx, Google Meets and more. You can use Zoom safely if you set it up correctly. Hackers CAN get into your Zoom session so you MUST set up the meeting with a password and only then the people with a password can enter. Also, have the waiting room set up. You can screen share activities like PDFs or Boom Cards with students.
In most teletherapy platforms, you can open a PDF and then select annotate for kids to mark the pages (also shown below).
SECURITY INFORMATION: Read this PDF about how to protect yourself and your families while on a Zoom conference. #hackersandcreepersareeverywhere
Favorite Websites
NewsELAย – great website with current news articles. You can search different reading levels! Most articles are followed by comprehension questions and writing activity. Very teletherapy friendly.
SafeYouTube.net – LOVE this website. Get YouTube links for your favorite read alouds, paste it in this site and it takes out all the ads (and distractions) to make it safe for kids.
Jeopardy Labs – Great for your competitive kids and groups! Create and customize your own jeopardy-style games.
Boom Cards – see below!
The Moth – great for older students working on auditory comprehension. Set up as a podcast format.
How to use PDFs with Telepractice or on an iPad
When you download and open my TpT resources, you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader (free). Likely, you currently just print them to use with your students. However, you can use the comment (annotation) feature (with a yellow speech bubble) (or in Zoom, there is a built-in annotation button) located on the right side menu that opens a drop-down menu. *Shown below with my Spring Dice and Dot.
You then select the center drawing tool (looks like a pencil) and select a color. You can adjust the line thickness as well for writing or drawing (see the lines just to the right of the bink dot in the photo below).
Then you can use the activity as described. With the Dice and Dot, you can have the student use a dice if they have one or use a dice app (yep, they exist).
Just make sure you don't save it after it's been marked up. IF it does happen, you can always go back to your original TpT purchase and redownload a clean version.ย
Using Boom Cards In Speech Teletherapy/Telepractice:
See my detailed post on how to use BOOM Cards in therapy. After you have purchased your resources on Teachers Pay Teachers or on the Boom site directly, follow these steps:
First, you must clickย HERE to open a FREE Boom Learningโ account. ย This will give you and your students access to any set of flashcards/card decks that you purchase. You can access those cards from any digital device, including your iPad. Try some FREE Boom Cards!
If you are using a teletherapy platform, make sure you have your Boom Cards open in a separate tab. You and the student should NOT be using an iPad. You can share your screen (on Zoom it's the green “share” button) with the student. Open the card deck you would like to play. You will need to decide if you want to give control of the screen to the child (consider their age/maturity) if not, have them verbally tell you which button or answer to select and you do it.
Worried about student privacy? See how to safeguard that HERE.
Digital Google Slides:
The Dice and Dot resources are best-sellers in my TPT store. Recently, I've been adding a digital version for them! The response has been overwhelming! You guys are LOVING the moveable dots! You can try a free set HEREย (click the preview for the free pages). Just remember to save a master copy for yourself. Then, you can send specific pages to your students. To send individual pages, click on the thumbnail image of the page, and save under a new file name. To use in teletherapy, pull up the page you want to use. Just remember to “undo” the dots, so they go back to the side for the next student.
Here are some resources that are ideal for use in Speech Teletherapy / Telepractice:
> Dice and Dot for Speech & Language
> Articulation Cards – use the full sheet black and white pages!
> Articulation Quick Play Games – use the black and white pages!
I hope this helps answer some questions about offering remote, digital Speech Therapy. Remember if you are using an iPad, just open the PDFs with iBooks or Adobe Acrobat. Click the action icon (the square with the up arrow). Scroll through the apps to the end and select “more” then select iBooks. You can also use Notabilityย and several other apps.
When you finish WIPE DOWN THE IPAD! lol
Let me know if you have any questions! Good luck as you look to offer your speech therapy services remotely. This is our opportunity to show our students that this is a hard time for all of us and a great way for us to share how we are trying to have flexible thinking and a growth mindset too!
A sincere thank you for your step by step guide. I am anxiously awaiting guidance from our speech department as expectations and how to proceed. Have you heard any discussion about scheduling time with students, is it possible to hold a group session and what about accountability from families. I imagine for most of my students speech is not a priority (though it should be) Parents will be struggling to complete academic lessons. Will they commit to sit down at a scheduled time for speech? Can you feel my anxiety? Again, thank you for your support, for sharing.
Hi Judy! You are not alone. So many SLPs are feeling anxious with how to navigate all of this. Just do your best and ask your families to share flexibility as you work this out together.
Thank you so much for this guidance! I’m an SLP in New York and need to learn all I can ASAP! Be well.
Kelly
Thank you so much on your information RE: Boom Cards. I was plugging along and felt like I had finally gotten telepractice down using the “Zoom and Boom” process. Then, yesterday, my district retracted Zoom from the list of district approved video conference platforms. Is there another video conference platform that has the same functionality as Zoom (screen share with remote access to the mouse, etc.) that does not require a paid membership?
Thanks for any info you can give.
I’ve heard people have had success with Adobe Connect and WebEx.
I hope you have success!
So if I set up a google classroom for each student, 72, how do you put your activities on there? I have never used it and am clueless. They are giving an option for โpacketsโ or emailed activities. I keep wondering what is going to be the easiest and quickest way to do this for 72 kids. Iโm so overwhelmed..
I understand the overwhelming feeling! You need to first make sure your school has a Google Classroom account set up to offer that. IF they do have a Google Classroom, ask the teachers to add you as a co-teacher and you can assign resources directly. Some people are also using Seesaw (no school account needed). Packets might just be an easier option. Set up an assembly line! good luck!
Sorry I’m not getting it. How do I assign a Boom activity in SeeSaw?
I’m a sahm mom with a 8 year old who usually receives speech services at school. So far, our district isn’t on the digital bandwagon. I’m doing all I can at home to make sure she doesn’t forget what she has learned in the classroom and in speech. I was online looking for a list of /r/sound words. The problem I’m running into is I’m not a member of a teaching website to print out or download a sheet. Can you please help? I only need one copy for personal use.
Thanks for all you do!
Hi Carmen! I’m so sorry you are having trouble finding resources for her. You can print out resources from Teachers Pay Teachers – there are many resources available! If you need more help, feel free to email me directly: ashleyrosssi@sweetsouthernspeech.com
Hi Ashley,
First of all, thanks for all of your help and resources for teletherapy. I really learned a lot from your presentation on Teletherapy Bootcamp!
I have a question about using BOOM cards on ZOOM. How do I make the participants able to make selections, etc. during teletherapy with ZOOM. I can share the cards and I can work with them, but I can’t figure out how to let my students work with them live during the meeting.
Thanks,
Diane
Hi Diane! Have the Boom Cards open in a separate tab on your computer and then in Zoom, share your screen. From there, at the top there is a mouse button to give control to the student. To get control back, push CTRL+SHIFT+G
Hi and thanks for all the resources. You mentioned NOT using FaceTime. Does that mean you are not literally seeing your students on Google Meet, Classroom, etc?
Hi Judy – FaceTime and Google Meet are different platforms. FaceTime is not HIPAA compliant.
THANK-YOU so much for this information. I had practiced using Zoom meeting then needed to change platforms to Google Meet. I wanted to tell you that your clear directions prompted me to purchase your Dot and DIce articulation and language bundle. Using a dice app and your product made this a very easy process and gave me ideas moving forward. I wanted to put a great review on TPT but you need to wait 24 hours. I would recommend these products and if you get them today ( April 7) they are on sale.
Im so happy I could help you! And yes, digital dice apps are fantastic! They don’t fly off the table, LOL!!