In the age of COVID-19, we’ve adapted our services to ensure that kids can still get the therapy that they need without having to run the risk of meeting in a physical location.
pediatric
tele-therapy
Teletherapy sessions are available via video call, allowing for access of each of the therapeutic services that we offer.
Your child won’t have to miss out on any of the attention they need!
FTC Kids tele-therapy experience
Our therapists have all been trained to offer the best services, ensuring that learning is still fun and engaging.
pediatric tele-therapy
Pros & Cons of Tele-Therapy
Pros
- Teletherapy allows for the continuation of services, and therapists will have an increased flexibility in scheduling.
- This opportunity will allow for more parent involvement and better understanding of how to carryover activities at home.
- Therapists will be able to provide ideas and demonstrate how easily parents can use their environment and materials that are already available in their homes. They will learn to play with their children in fun and creative ways.
- Therapists will be able to see how the child behaves in their natural home setting and observe how this may differ from how they typically behave while at the facility.
- Siblings can become involved in the therapy sessions.
- Parents will be better able to understand how their children are performing when engaged in a therapy session, and that improvement in performance to work towards their goals is a vital part of the journey.
- Mastering the use of the computer for therapy sessions will allow this format to be used as an alternative solution for make-ups in the future. Parents will no longer have to stress when an unexpected delay or change of circumstance occurs.
- Connecting to a therapy session can be as easy as clicking on a link. You can receive therapy from your phone, iPad, or laptop even when it’s not possible to physically be at the center.
- Parents are present for the sessions, creating opportunities for parent education in terms of purpose of the activity, how to physically cue the child, and how to respond to the child to engage / entice in play.
- Therapists can run a trial tele-therapy session with your child to see if utilizing this type of service will be a good fit for continuation of services for your child.
- Parents will have the opportunity to complete their child’s session another day of the week.
- The therapists are focused on ensuring that they are able to provide services to the children in an area where they have enough room to safely move around.
- Teletherapy allows for the continuation of services, and therapists will have an increased flexibility in scheduling.
cons
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Tele-therapy will create a change in the family’s normal routine.
- There may be distractions at home with other siblings present.
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Homes may lack much of the equipment that is frequently used during sessions at the facility.
- Parents may become embarrassed about their child’s behaviors.
- Parents may become frustrated with their children not meeting performance expectations since they are not normally sitting in on in-person sessions.
- Parents may have difficulties with knowing how to orient the laptop / phone / tablet to allow for efficient viewing during the session.
- There is a slight learning curve in navigating the video conferencing system, and the connection may be interrupted.
- The presence of a parent may cause children to become extra silly or perform differently than how they typically do during one-on-one sessions with the therapist.
- Parents may think their child is not suitable for teletherapy or benefiting as much from the sessions.
- If your child is having an off day and is demonstrating difficulty attending to their activities, your sessions may be cut short.
- Parents may be self-conscious about the appearance of their space / home or what the therapists may think.
how to get started with ftc kids
complementary screening
FTC Kids offers complementary screenings. This is a time where parents can express their concerns and ask questions to qualified therapists about their child’s behavior and skills.
The therapist will observe the child playing naturally and may have him/her complete some simple activities to get a quick “snapshot” of your child without formal testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take insurance?
We work with all out-of-network insurance providers.
How do I get started?
After the initial contact is made either through our 24-hour phone service or email, FTC patient advocate will contact you within 24 hours.
She will send you the link to fill out all necessary paperwork which can be found on our website and a place to upload a copy of your insurance card front and back.
Our team will check your insurance before your first appointment so you will have a full understanding of what coverage you are entitled to.
If you don’t hear from us within 24-48 hours, you can call 973-339-0141. We will schedule your screening/evaluation.
After my initial contact with the FTC client advocate team, how long will I have to wait for an appointment?
We try to schedule you within 1 week, but depending on schedules it may take up to two weeks.
Do I need a prescription/referral from my doctor?
FTC Kids can legally treat your child without a prescription/referral; however, if we are billing insurance, they may require the referral.
Our FTC client advocate team will do everything in their power to ensure reimbursement.
We may ask families to get a referral signed by a medical doctor, nurse practitioner or psychiatrist to help the case.
What is the difference between a screening and an evaluation?
FTC Kids offers complementary screenings. This is a time where parents can express their concerns and ask questions to qualified therapists about their child’s behavior and skills.
The therapist will observe the child playing naturally and may have him/her complete some simple activities to get a quick “snapshot” of your child without formal testing.
Evaluations are required by all insurance companies for prior-authorizations or approval to start services at FTC Kids. Your insurance policy may list coverage for therapy services; however, it must be medically necessary.
The results from the evaluation will determine not only if therapy is beneficial but if it is necessary for your child’s development.
What should I expect at my first session/screening?
You will be required to bring copies of your insurance cards and all completed paperwork if not filled out online prior to session.
Parents and child will tour the facility and be introduced to the evaluating therapist.
If the child is comfortable, he/she will transition with a therapist for testing while the parent completes an interview with a patient advocate.
Insurance coverage will be reviewed and information gathered from the interview and screening will be shared with parents.
Together the parent and therapist will create a plan for next steps and following session will be scheduled.
How long does an evaluation take?
This is usually conducted over one or two 1-hour sessions where the child completes a series of developmental movements, reflex testing, visual motor testing and standardized testing.
How long should I expect to receive a finalized written report?
Evaluations are typically completed in 7 days; however, they have been known to take up to 10 days depending on the complexity and workload of the therapist.
Do you accept evaluations conducted at other locations?
We can not use a school evaluation since it is not a medical evaluation but it may be useful in treatment. Depending on your insurance we may be able to use evaluations completed within 6 months at another therapy clinic.
Do you have a waitlist?
We occasionally have waitlists for “prime time” slots (3-5pm) but we always have slots during the week if you are more flexible.
Do you have weekend and evening hours?
Yes. Depending on the therapist and availability our therapists offer Saturdays and weekly sessions until 7:30pm.
Do we have the same appointment time and therapist each week?
It is most convenient to schedule the same and time each week. If a make-up is warranted due to illness or family emergency we will do our best to reschedule or find a therapist to fill in.
Can I do more than one therapy service at your location?
FTC offers Occupational, Speech, and Physical therapy both individually and in group sessions.
Depending on the child, it may be beneficial to participate in a Speech session before or after a Physical or Occupational therapy session.
Some insurances will only reimburse one therapy session per day and these services would not be combined.
Are siblings and or parents welcome in the therapy sessions?
Parents are always welcome. We believe family participation is crucial for your child’s progress and continued success.
Due to COVID precautions and space restrictions, we would not be able to accommodate this need during popular times of day. We will happily schedule a time or day when the facility is less occupied.
Siblings are not typically involved in therapy sessions unless this family dynamic is a primary concern.
The treatment plan must include goals and objectives to address these needs and an appropriate time must be scheduled when the gym is not as populated for sibling sessions.
we look forward to hearing from you!
Get in Touch | Inquiry
Ready to get started at FTC Kids or do you have questions that we can answer? Once we receive your initial contact, either through our 24-hour phone service, email, or the form below, an FTC Patient Advocate will contact you within 24 hours.
Phone: (973) 339-0141 | Email: contact@ftckids.com
