West Cook News

While COVID-19 closures have contributed to declines in pediatric outpatient care, a Countryside facility has starting using a virtual model that’s providing unexpected benefits to clients and their families.

At the Helping Hand Center, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, pediatric sessions transitioned online a few months ago. They have worked so well, they plan to adapt the format for adult day programs starting June 8, Helping Hand President & CEO Bill Dwyer told the West Cook News.

“Right now, through telehealth, it is great for engagement of the families. It lets them learn about therapies firsthand – and the kids are making excellent progress,” Dwyer said.

Helping Hand’s pediatric clinic serves children from infancy to age 18, guiding them to develop functional skills that impact their long-term quality of life, including employment, independence and social opportunities.

During one recent telehealth session, 7-year-old Aiden worked on fine motor and visual processing skills by rolling Play-Doh into a pattern as his therapist provided direction.

“His virtual therapies have helped him to maintain a consistent routine,” Aiden’s mother, Maritza, told the News by email. “He benefits greatly from knowing that even though therapies are not being held in person, he can still interact with them virtually.”

Although therapists are not working with full caseloads, Dwyer said they have been retained on staff to avoid risking turnover, conducting telehealth sessions from their computers at home.

“In a time like this,” Maritza added, “there is no compromise to the quality and benefits from having virtual therapy sessions. It’s important to keep some type of normalcy and Helping Hand has done a great job in making that happen.”

The Helping Hand Autism School was founded in 1955, and its programs have helped thousands of students. It’s been challenging to conduct those sessions virtually, but the therapists are still making connections, Dwyer said.

“There’s a lot of human touch involved in autism therapy specifically, like secret handshakes when you’re rewarding,” Dwyer said. “So the therapists have been using secret silly faces or virtual high-fives and keeping their attention.”

Several higher-functioning autism children also seem to prefer the telehealth method, Dwyer said, adding that therapists both enjoy the program and look forward to resuming sessions in person.

“When you become speech or occupational therapist, you want to be with people, not only screens,” Dwyer said.

While most Helping Hand facilities remain closed until June 30th, its annual gala will take place virtually June 19th at 7 p.m., Dwyer said. “We’re going to have a band and guest speakers. We really want to get the message out to people that virtual attendance is free.”

“My life is transformed because I choose to be around people with disabilities,” said Dwyer, who has been Helping Hand’s CEO for three years. “They teach me not to take things for granted. There is so much that they bring to the community and to society.”