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A Description of Live Video Visits

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Live video visits (e.g., telehealth or teletherapy) enable you and your child to receive early intervention (EI) services during COVID-19. Live video visits are relatively new to Illinois’ EI systems. As such, live video visits may be new to you. Below, we provide some ways live video visits compare with in-person EI visits.

Similarities Between Live Video Visits and In-Person Visits

  • You will continue to meet with your EI provider or service coordinator for your EI services.
  • You will continue to receive coaching from your EI provider. Coaching may include:
    • You and the EI provider jointly planning your EI session.
    • The EI provider observing your interactions with your child
    • The EI provider providing feedback about strategies to use with your child
    • You and the EI provider reflecting about strategies to use with your child.
  • The use of interpreters and co-treatment can still occur via live video visits or in-person.
  • You and your EI provider need to agree on which approach will be used for visits.
  • You can choose to split up the session into two 30-minute sessions or a one-hour session.

Differences Between Live Video Visits and In-Person Visits

  • Live video visits are conducted via an Internet platform. Live video visits are not conducted in-person.
  • In live video visits, your provider may share resources with you over the Internet platform (versus in-person).
  • Prior to implementing live video visits, EI personnel need to complete required teletherapy training.
  • Families cannot be asked to encounter financial hardship (e.g., buying equipment or Internet service) to receive live video visits. For in-person visits, no technology may be needed.
  • During in-person visits, only one caregiver can be present. In live video visits, you can include multiple individuals in the session.
  • During in-person visits, you and your EI professional must wear a mask.

What Do Live Video Visits Look Like?

Live video visits can look different depending on the context, the child, the service being provided, and a variety of other scenarios. You can find some clips of live video visits at https://ddc.ohio.gov/video-ei-series

What About Family Fees During the Pandemic?

Only during COVID-19, families are receiving a credit for the monthly installments of family fees. This is subject to change after the pandemic.