I’m a developmental therapist in early intervention and my job brings me enormous joy. Not only do I get to interact with littles who are learning new things practically every minute, I also get the privilege of being alongside families during the process.
When the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted my typical practice of going into homes to work with families, I was devasted. It took some time to adjust and readjust (multiple times) with the everchanging procedures and recommendations, but now I’m 7-months into Live Video Visits (LVVs) and I am finally seeing the joy again! Here are some reasons why:
1. My experience is amplified with LVV.
When I first took the required training to provide Live Video Visits, I felt unprepared and thrown into the deep end. Honestly, I was just frustrated this wasn’t a practice before the pandemic. I struggled with the transition and figuring out my role, how to talk to families and children on a screen, and how to prepare them for the changes. Now there are resources for this, which you can find from the Early Intervention Training Program and the EI Clearinghouse. Not only can I locate resources for my personal use and for families about LVV, I’ve also learned my own ways of making the most of this experience. I believe this experience has made me a better professional. My confidence in adapting and managing unforeseen circumstances is spot on!
2. The flow of sessions is smoother with LVV.
Some may say that using video disrupts the natural flow of a session, but my experience is otherwise. Hear me out. When I first started LVVs, I was shocked with the amount of time we had. So many little timewasters are eliminated with Live Video Visits. Taking off my shoes, finding a place for my coat, waiting for the child to adjust to someone else being in the home, and writing my note at the end of the session are no longer issues. I used to hate being in a family’s home and having to “stop” the session to go write my note about what we did. It was awkward and difficult to focus on both tasks then, but now I can easily type my notes while still engaging with the family on video.
We can start the session as soon as we log on and most of my families stay for the full 60 minutes, even if the child isn’t engaged the entire time. For the children who are not engaged during the full session, I find it is easier to manage in Live Video Visits than in-person visits. There is less pressure for us to get the child to participate. We can spend the time planning for the next session or sharing updates and come back to the child when they’re ready, or we can easily reschedule another session if one is cut short. It is especially reasonable to reschedule partial video visits since I don’t have to drive back again, and families don’t have to open up their home again.
3. Families are the centerpiece.
Coaching families is the greatest advantage of LVVs. There are helpful infographics about coaching during LVV and I use this form with families for planning LVV sessions.
Yes, coaching was crucial during in-person visits as well, but it is easier now that families and providers don’t really have a choice. There was a family with whom I worked pre-pandemic that I struggled to coach. For whatever reason, we developed a habit in which I interacted with the child and mom spent most of the session engaging in household tasks. Now during our LVV sessions, they play together, and I give feedback. I demonstrate little things she can try, and she practices right then and between sessions. It is the epitome of coaching!
My greatest joy during the pandemic has been meeting new families through Live Video Visits. You would think I’d miss in-person interaction, but honestly, I feel just as connected through video. Families are happy to have someone to talk to and bounce ideas off. I’ve noticed that families are more willing to reach out between sessions and share little video clips or stories about their child doing new things. Our connection has been enhanced with Live Video Visits during the pandemic.
We live in a technological world and this allows us to stay connected to families during unprecedented times. Yes, it is new and scary to do video sessions with infants and toddlers. Yes, there are challenges to LVV… But let’s take some time to focus on the joy.
If you need any more convincing, watch this video about a family’s perspective on Live Video Visits.
