TelAbility Update The WATCH Project Using Technology to Promote Communication and Collaboration within the Early Intervention System Juliellen Simpson-Vos, M.Ed, Joshua J. Alexander, MD Dept. of PM&R The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

( TelAbility ( An Internet-Based Telehealth Program For Young Children with Disabilities

WATCH Wake Area Telehealth Collaborative Helping Children with special needs

Building a Community of Practice “ A group of people who share a concern, set of problems, or passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interaction on an ongoing basis.”

Inclusive Child Care Centers n Learning Together n Lucy Daniels Center n Project Enlightenment n Tammy Lynn Center n White Plains Children’s Center

Residential Care n Hilltop Home n Tammy Lynn Center

Service Programs n Community Partnerships for Children n Learning Together n Pediatric Therapy Associates n Easter Seals UCP- Children’s Therapy Services n Project Enlightenment n Lucy Daniels Center n Developmental Therapy Associates

State Agencies n The Raleigh Children’s Developmental Services Agency (ages birth-3) n Wake County Preschool Services (ages 3-5)

Current Programming Website Content /Expertise Directory List serv Newsletters Videoconferencing

Website Features n Expertise Directory n Handouts n Links n Calendar n Books n Articles n Videos n More!

n 2005 = 60 n 2007 = 280+ Expertise Directory

Electronic Newsletter Subscribers= 375+ n Website Updates n Event Listings n Center Descriptions n Article Reviews n Tips and Topics n Project Updates

n 2005= 29 n 2007= 230+

Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing In total, over the past 34 months of the WATCH Project: n Over 1200 people have participated in videoconference sessions n The average satisfaction rating for video conference sessions is 4.3 (out of 5) n The average comfort level for video conference sessions is 4.6 (out of 5)

Expanding WATCH n Partners Carolina Pediatric Dysphagia Governor Morehead Preschool n Directories Wake County Services Webpage

Wake County Services and Resources for Children 0-5 webpage

What will the webpage do? n The webpage will act as a searchable database where anyone can select specific fields to find the services they need. n Agencies that match their needs will be sorted and listed. n When you click the link for the agency all the agency data will be provided.

Past Professional Development Sessions n “Sensory Processing Disorder” n “Feeding Strategies” n “Taming Temper Tantrums” n “Adapting Toys for Children with Special Needs” n “Osteogenesis Imperfecta” n “Understanding ADHD” n “Constraint Induced Therapy” n “Over Active Children” n “Electrical Stimulation and Brachial Plexus Therapy” n “The Uses of Standardized Testing in EI” n “Supporting the Spirited Child and Their Families”

Fall 2007 Professional Development Series n “Gross Motor Development Trends for Children with Visual Impairments” n “Approaches to Autism/Intervention Strategies” n “Ethical Dilemmas in Early Intervention” n “The Pros and Cons to Theratogs (Discussion)” n “First Flex Representative” n “The Uses and Benefits of Music Therapy for Children with Special Needs” n “Using Chiropractic Services for Children with Special Needs” n “Red Flags for Speech and Language Disorders/Gesture Development”

WATCH Benefits for Providers n Responsive to their needs and interests n Provides increased professional development and education opportunities n Offers opportunities for increased collaboration with other locations and professionals n Allows sites to establish mentoring relationships with other therapists or teachers n WATCH sites can schedule clinic or consultation time via the video conference unit n Evaluations/assessments/meetings can be held between parents, therapists, CDSA staff n Reduces travel time and costs

WATCH Benefits for Parents n The ability to schedule video clinic or consultation time with a MD, therapist, or specialist who has access to a video conference unit. n The opportunity to schedule meetings, evaluations, or assessments with teachers, therapists, CDSA Child Service Coordinators, or other administrators or specialists who have access to a video conference unit. (ex. IFSP update meetings, questions, etc) n Reduces travel time and costs. Eliminates the need to find parking, wait in waiting rooms, and navigate hospitals or service agencies. n Increased collaboration and communication with everyone involved in the child’s care. n Increased learning opportunities for parents and teachers.

What are people saying about WATCH? n “The best thing about WATCH is knowing that there are people who can provide an answer for a family if you don’t have one. It’s wonderful having one place you can got to ask questions, find experts, and find out what is going on in the local community for the special needs population. It provides a bit of “one stop shopping” that makes my job easier and things less stressful for the families I serve.”

n “Instead of all competing or working as separate entities, WATCH allows for us all to come together for the greater good of the child and family.”

Future Goals

Questions? Juliellen Simpson-Vos, M.Ed Joshua J. Alexander, MD TelAbility/WATCH 1101 Weaver Dairy Road Suite 202 Chapel Hill, NC