Green Screen Teletherapy

I spy, dinosaur hunts, and apple picking, oh my! As pediatric therapists, we have been faced with the challenge of engaging children of varying ages and diagnoses over teletherapy. Children, families, and even therapists are still getting used to this virtual format. I want to walk through some ways I have utilized green screen technology for speech therapy during my time as a graduate student clinician at PlayWorks Therapy, Inc. I have found that using the green screen technology creates a fun and engaging way to target goals, while keeping our clients’ attentions for longer periods during our virtual telehealth sessions.

How do you use green screen technology?

Green screen technology is easily utilized over Zoom (PlayWorks’ medium of delivering teletherapy).

To set up the green screen: You need a green screen, or another brightly colored background. Mine is a plastic green tablecloth hung with command hooks. Next, log into zoom. Click the up arrow in the “stop video” button on the lower left corner of the zoom window and click “choose virtual background…”. Now, in your camera view, there is a small circle in the bottom right that has a color. Click that circle, then click your mouse on your background in the camera view. This tells Zoom what color to detect as your background, so it can transfer your given image to your green screen.

To transfer activities to Zoom backgrounds: Download/export your activity in a “.jpg” format to your computer. Follow the above directions to get to the virtual backgrounds settings. Then, click the plus sign (+) to upload the background images.

What goals can be targeted in green screen teletherapy?

I have targeted my clients’ speech and language goals using elements of the green screen. I have even used the same green screen activity for clients of varying ages and goals by modifying the way I use the activity, my language level, and my prompts. Using green screen activities is a great way to create a “theme” for each week. Being fall, my clients have enjoyed a variety of fall-themed activities from apple picking to exploring a spooky mansion for Halloween.

Articulation

Articulation is easily targeted using these curated, story-like green screen activities. For example, for the apple picking activity, courtesy of “GoGo Speech”, I will have the client say their given target word 5 times, put the word in the sentence, and then we pick the apple together. You pick all the apples this way, but watch out for the worm who just might eat all our precious apples!

Language

Language goals can be targeted as well, including expanding language to age-appropriate utterance lengths, spatial concepts, pronouns, wh- questions, and more. I have used “I Spy” to practice expanding a child’s phrase length. I have used “GoGo Speech” materials for spatial concepts, where the clients must tell me where they see the chipmunk during our picnic: “is it behind me? Is it on top of the rock? In the tree?” I have used a “fall hunt” activity, modeled off of the classic “we’re going on a bear hunt” story, to target wh- questions and expressive language. The opportunities are endless!

What are some go-to resources?

My go-to resources come from a private Facebook group, entitled “Green Screen Speech Therapy”. Speech-Language Pathologists post many resources that can be downloaded, personalized to meet your client’s speech and language goals, and then added to Zoom for use during a speech therapy session. This Facebook group also has an incredibly useful video explaining how to set up a green screen and how to use it. My other go-to has been “GoGo Speech”. If you subscribe to their services, they send activities for free (and videos on how to use them) to your email inbox.

Is green screen technology only useful for speech therapy?

Other disciplines can use green screen technology to keep their client engaged and target goals simultaneously, too! This means that physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and developmental therapists can use green screen resources as well.

Do I have to have a green screen to use these resources?

No, you do not. You can download the resources in a PowerPoint format. Then, share your screen during your sessions to take advantage of the same resources without having a green screen.

 

Gwen Berglind, B.S.

Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Student Clinician

 

Credits: “GoGo Speech”, “Green Screen Speech Therapy” Facebook Group

Teletherapy 101: What to Expect and Common Questions

PlayWorks Therapy Inc. is committed to ensuring your child receives quality services during this time of uncertainty and have transitioned to all online teletherapy sessions. We are looking forward to this virtual experience with you!

What is Teletherapy?

Teletherapy, also referred to as telehealth, is a type of therapy provided by your child’s therapist online through video chat, much like FaceTime, Skype, or Gchat. Although teletherapy is a new offering at PlayWorks Therapy, it is a model of therapy that has been used and researched in the field for several years. PlayWorks Therapy is remaining current with best practice and continuing to provide evidence-based therapy through this mode of therapy.

What can I expect from a Teletherapy appointment?

Depending on the type of therapy your child receives, the structure of the therapy session may differ slightly than the in-person appointments. The session itself may consist of the therapist reviewing goals and techniques with caregivers as well as assisting in choosing appropriate toys, games, and materials to target those goals. The therapist would then provide recommendations for how to use each material, including specific prompts to use throughout the activities. We realize that your child may not be as engaged or motivated to sit in front of a video so we require a parent or caregiver to be present or nearby for the majority of the session.

Will this really be a productive mode of therapy for my child?

Many providers have been using teletherapy as their primary mode of therapy over several years with success. Because the structure may look different than usual the in-person appointments, our expectation of what makes a “productive” or “successful” session may also change. Your child’s goals may shift slightly in this period but just know that every and any interaction your child has with their therapist informs their continued work. With a strong partnership, both the therapist and caregivers can use techniques with the child to reach targeted goals.

Won’t it be awkward that my child and the therapist are in different rooms?

At first, some children do find it slightly awkward or uncomfortable to work with therapists virtually. Below are strategies we recommend trying to increase your child’s comfort level with this new type of appointment:

  • Find a space that works for you and your child. This does not need to be the quietest or cleanest room in your home; however, be mindful of the visual distractions (e.g. toys, games) in the room as this may affect your child’s attention. We recommend that you choose a favorite place or comfortable space you usually spend time in as this may help your child with the transition.
  • Help your child settle in by allowing them to have a favorite toy or other comforting object with them.
  • With supervision, allow your child understand the technology by gently touching the screen and exploring the different functions, provided by the therapist.
  • Check in with others in your home to see if they want to be present or out of view for the session and ultimately let your child know who will be with them.

I’m not great with technology. Will this be challenging to set up?

In most cases, your teletherapy appointment will take place on a website or app platform. Your therapist will communicate with you about your child’s specific platform, and whether or not to download an app, based on what type of therapy they receive. Your therapist will then send you a confirmation email with the link and any other information you will need to access the appointment. It will be as simple as opening your email and selecting the link! You will then be directly connected to your therapist’s video chat.

I am in the appointment, but now I am experiencing a problem with the connection.

Below are technology tips to help you get the most of your therapy sessions:

  • Be sure to switch on audio and video settings at the start of the session.
  • Confirm a plan with your therapist in case the connection is abruptly ended.
  • Check the use of additional devices. Streaming or heavy use on another device at the same time as your session may slow your connection and video quality.
  • Having multiple tabs open on your device may also impact video quality.
  • If possible, try not to sit in front of a bright window or light.
  • Let your therapist know if you cannot see or hear them clearly – we want you to get the most of your session!

Questions or concerns?

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s eligibility for teletherapy, please contact us at info@playworkschicago.com or 773-332-9439.

Amanda Deligiannis, MSW, LSW
Licensed Social Worker

Photo Credit: GSCSNJ via photopin.com