How Can Parents Prevent Youth Sports Injuries?

Teletherapy, also called tele-practice or tele-speech, has become more popular during the uncertain circumstances and stay at home orders of COVID-19. Teletherapy can bring a sense of familiarity in uncertain times, as your child can have a weekly live speech therapy visit with a consistent speech language pathologist (SLP). A relationship is built, and the therapist and child share smiles and laughter in between working on their goals. With teletherapy, children can continue to receive continuity of care even as they stay safe at home! But does this foreign method of attending speech therapy really work?

Research is largely in agreement: Teletherapy is a very effective way of teaching kids speech and language!

With teletherapy, speech therapy is provided via a video chat platform that is secure. MetroEHS’s online platform includes fun games, a box for clients to watch applicable videos and talk through worksheets or read stories, screen share, practice cards, and, of course,  a live-streaming video SLP guiding them through all of it. All of these features engage most children, including those on the Autism Spectrum. This 1:1 teletherapy has been proven effective: according to a review of 7 studies of school-aged children, “telehealth is a promising method for treating children” (1). Another study looking specifically at children with ASD stated, “All [14] studies reported high levels of programme acceptability and parent satisfaction with the telehealth component of the intervention” (2). And another states, “Emerging research in telepractice treatment for ASD clients already shows success in both direct and indirect interactions” (3).

If a child is too young or difficult to engage, the SLP may opt for a parent training approach. The parent will receive a list of supplies to gather from around the house, and the SLP will teach the parent how to target the child’s goals. The parent is encouraged to ask questions, and the SLP coaches as the parent engages their child and completes their goals. This has also been proven effective for children learning language! Evidence suggests, “that parent-mediated intervention training delivered remotely can improve parents’ knowledge in [autism spectrum disorder] ASD, parent intervention fidelity, and subsequently improve the social behavior and communication skills of their children with ASD (4).

Feeding Therapy can be provided with a similar model. The SLP guides the caregiver during the session, and talks through strategies and techniques for children accepting the food, chewing, and swallowing. Providing feeding therapy online can be beneficial because the SLP can see where the child typically sits, the types of eating utensils that are used, and overall family dynamic- all of which play a major role in carryover of skills to the home environment. What better way to support generalization to home, than having therapy in the home! Feeding Teletherapy, too, is an excellent and effective substitute to in-person therapy, according to research (5)!

As you can see, teletherapy is a powerful alternative to in-person therapy, especially during situations when receiving in-person therapy is difficult or impossible for families. If you would like more information about teletherapy, to enroll your child, or a free “Teletherapy Tour” to see our platform, please contact MetroEHS today!

Resources

1. 2017. Wales, D., Skinner, L., et al. The Efficacy of Telehealth-Delivered Speech and Language Intervention for Primary School-Age Children: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 9(1), 55-70.
2. 2018. Sutherland, R., Trembath, D., et al. Telehealth and Autism: A Systematic Search and Review of the Literature. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(3), 324-336.
3. 2015, April 28. Cornish, Nate. Social Mediating: Using Telepractice for Clients With Autism. ASHAwire.
4. 2017. Parsons, D., Cordier, R., et al. Parent-Mediated Intervention Training Delivered Remotely for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Living Outside of Urban Areas: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(8), e198.
5. 2008. Clawson, Seldon, Lacks, Deaton, Hall, Bach. Complex pediatric feeding disorders: using teleconferencing technology to improve access to a treatment program. Pediatric Nursing, 34(3): 213-6.

Q: What is the RBT certification?

A: RBT certification is a paraprofessional certificate that is in the behavioral analyst field, and you work under the BCBA or BCABA treating and providing services to our kids.

Q: What are the requirements?

A: What it takes to become an RBT here at MetroEHS is you must be 18 years old, a high school diploma, you need the 40 hours of training, and then take a competency test with the supervisor, and then you apply at the BACB website, and take a test, and become an RBT.

Q: What does the training consist of?

A: The RBT training consists of like an interactive and comprehensive 40-hour training that you work in a small group or one on one with other technicians or your BCBA. You’re out in the clinic, hanging out with the kids, learning and watching how they run programs. That could be at the table time or out in natural environment and once you understand the new words in the ABA field, you take your competency test and take the test at the website.

Q: What is the competency test?

A: The competency test is when the supervisor comes out the clinic with you and they watch how you run programs, they interview you, ask questions about the terminology and it’s pretty much just one on one time or you and the supervisor and your client to make sure you understand the terminology and what you’re actually doing and it’s highly encouraged to actually take your RBT test within 90 days of your 40 hour training. It is free of charge. You take the test at the BACB website.

Apply now!

Q: How do I maintain my credentials?

A: To maintain my credentials as an RBT here at MetroEHS, I track all my supervision hours, and I retake my competency test at the year mark or year anniversary of my RBT testing date.

Q: What are the benefits if earning an RBT certification?

A: MetroEHS offers two benefits for becoming an RBT. One is a raise and two, once you become an RBT, you have more opportunities to move up the ladder and become admin or fun stuff.

Parents often ask one important question before preschool or kindergarten begins:

"Is my child ready?"

Many people think school readiness simply means knowing letters, numbers, or colors. While those skills are certainly helpful, they are only one small piece of the puzzle.

The truth is that successful classroom participation depends on many developmental skills working together.

Can your child:

✔ Follow simple directions?

✔ Transition between activities?

✔ Sit with a group?

✔ Ask for help?

✔ Play alongside peers?

✔ Manage big emotions?

✔ Hold crayons and scissors?

✔ Listen during story time?

✔ Walk safely in a classroom?

These everyday abilities often have a much bigger impact on classroom success than academic knowledge alone.

Why School Readiness Matters

The first few years of school help shape confidence, friendships, communication, and lifelong learning habits.

When children enter school with strong foundational skills, they're often able to:

• Participate confidently
• Build friendships
• Follow classroom routines
• Learn alongside peers
• Become more independent

For children with autism, these foundational skills often benefit from early, coordinated support.

Introducing Superhero Academy

MetroEHS created Superhero Academy to help children ages 2-6 develop the skills needed for preschool and kindergarten through integrated therapy.

Unlike traditional therapy where each discipline works independently, Superhero Academy combines:

ABA Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Speech Therapy

Our therapists collaborate to help children practice the same skills across every therapy session.

Instead of isolated goals, children experience one coordinated learning environment.

Learning Through Play

Every month introduces a new superhero mission.

Children learn through:

• Structured play
• Sensory activities
• Group learning
• Social interaction
• Movement games
• Classroom routines
• Communication opportunities

The result is therapy that feels fun while building real-world school skills.

The Four Hero Disciplines

Sensory Squad (Occupational Therapy)

Helping children develop:

• Fine Motor Skills
• Self-regulation
• Sensory processing
• Independence

Mighty Mover (Physical Therapy)

Helping children improve:

• Balance
• Coordination
• Strength
• Motor planning
• Confidence

Communication Champion (Speech Therapy)

Helping children build:

• Expressive language
• Listening skills
• Social communication
• Early literacy

Learning Legend (ABA)

Helping children develop:

• Classroom behaviors
• Emotional regulation
• Functional communication
• Cooperation
• Peer interactions
• Independence

Building Real School Skills

Throughout the year, children practice:

• Following routines
• Listening to teachers
• Sharing
• Taking turns
• Transitioning between activities
• Solving problems
• Managing emotions
• Communicating wants and needs
• Participating in groups
• Becoming independent learners

Every milestone helps prepare them for the classroom.

Celebrating Every Hero

Children earn Hero Badges as they master new skills throughout the year.

At graduation, every child receives a Superhero Cape or Hero Champion Medal and a diploma celebrating everything they've accomplished.

Because every child deserves to feel like a superhero.

Ready to Begin?

If your child is between the ages of 2 and 6 and has been diagnosed with autism and you’ve been interested in an ABA program, Superhero Academy may be the perfect next step.

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