Telehealth
Telehealth or 'telepractice' is simply accessing your health care services via an online platform - usually video call. Telepractice occurs in real-time, so your child will be able to interact with our Speech Pathologists just as they would in a face-to-face session.
Big Strides provides speech therapy assessments and therapy to children in-person in Sydney CBD and Australia-wide through our telehealth services.
Benefits of Telehealth
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Effective: There is growing evidence that telepractice can be just as effective or even better than face-to-face speech therapy.
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Accessibility & Equity: Through telehealth, families living remotely or with limited access to transport, can still receive necessary speech therapy for their children.
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Comfort: Sessions can be conducted from the comfort and familiarity of your home.
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Convenience: No more travel time or parking hassles. Appointments are easily scheduled online around work (and life) commitments.
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Consistency: Avoid disruptions to your child's therapy routine due to unexpected events, such as illness, weather and transport access.
Join our growing community of families enjoying the convenience of our telepractice services. Together, let's unlock your child's communication potential from the comfort of your own home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens in a telehealth session?
Your Speech Pathologist will send you a connecting link to the appointment, which can be accessed via a computer, tablet, or phone. During the appointment, your therapist may share interactive resources on the screen, such as picture books, written texts or draw pictures. Parent-based training and consultation can also be provided via telehealth.
Q: Is telehealth suitable for my child?
Telehealth can be effective in delivering services for a range of communication areas (e.g., speech, literacy, language), and is suitable for most children, pre-school aged and above.
Cases where telehealth may not be suitable:
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Swallowing
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Feeding and meal time management
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Alternative and augmentative communication devices
Suitability will depend on a case-to-case basis. Speak to a Speech Pathologist to see if telepractice is the right fit for your child.
Q: What equipment is required?
All you need is a reliable internet connection, laptop or smart device and headphones. A quiet, distraction-free space is also ideal so that your child can get the most out of their session.
Q: Is telepractice as effective as face-to-face?
There is growing evidence that telepractice can be just as effective, and in some cases, more effective than face-to-face speech therapy services. In a national survey conducted in 2020, 61.9% of participants stated that their telehealth experience was “just as good as” or “better than” their experiences with conventional, in-person appointments.
Keep in mind, telepractice is considered effective for most, but not all children or conditions. Contact us for more information and a personalised discussion of telehealth for your child.
Q: Do you provide staff training via telehealth?
Yes! We can support informed practice remotely through online training and workshops for educators and staff around optimising communication and implementation of strategies.
Q: Can NDIS funding be used for telehealth services?
Yes. Telepractice can be funded the same way face-to-face sessions are - privately or through NDIS.
