Remote Service Delivery and Distance Learning
A number of states are providing remote service delivery as an alternate and effective way to serve young children with developmental delays and disabilities at home with their families, especially during the COVID-19 public health emergency. We have compiled information for state's early intervention Part C and early childhood special education IDEA Part B Section 619 programs– including technology and privacy, reimbursement, provider and educator use of technology, family resources, state guidance and resources, and research.
See also: Remote Screening, Evaluation, and Assessment
Terminology
We use the term remote service delivery and distance learning to describe the methodology used as an alternative to providing services and supports to young children and families in person. However, other terms may be used by states, funding sources and professional organizations. Some of those terms are:
- remote early intervention
- remote learning
- tele-intervention
- telehealth
- telemedicine
- telepractice
- teletherapy
- virtual home visits
- virtual learning
Regardless of the terms used, this methodology primarily engages audio or video technology to connect providers and educator with parents or other caregivers in ways that support their child's learning and development throughout their daily activities and routines. But it can also include low-tech options, such as delivering instruction via a packet dropped off at the child's home. Providers and educators use a coaching approach to help parent(s), caregiver(s) and sometimes siblings to embed strategies that promote the child's learning and development.
Telehealth is the most common term when it comes to reimbursement under Medicaid and private health insurance plans.
"Telehealth is a collection of means or methods for enhancing health care, public health and health education delivery and support using telecommunications technologies.
Telehealth encompasses a broad variety of technologies and tactics to deliver virtual medical, health, and education services. Telehealth is not a specific service, but a collection of means to enhance care and education delivery."
Resources from Professional Associations
The following professional associations most directly tied to the provision of early childhood IDEA services have the compiled resources and guidance regarding the provision of remote service delivery.
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA): Telehealth Resources
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): Digital Health in Practice
Additional Resources
Federal Office of Rural Health Policy: Telehealth Programs — U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) promotes the use of telehealth technologies for health care delivery, education, and health information services. Telehealth is especially critical in rural and other remote areas that lack sufficient health care services, including specialty care.
National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers — These twelve Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs) support all states and territories. TRCs have been established to provide assistance, education, and information to organizations and individuals who are actively providing or interested in providing health care at a distance. Their charter from the Office for Advancement of Telehealth is to help expand the availability of health care to rural and underserved populations.
Teletherapy Has Been Powering Virtual Special Education for Years — This Hechinger Report article provides a look at how teletherapy has been used successfully for years to deliver online special education services.