Robin's Key Speech-Language, and Learning, PLLC provides virtual learning and teletherapy services to clients ages 3-22 throughout Illinois

(Scroll down for FAQs about virtual services and teletherapy)

I love that teletherapy allows me to serve kids, teens, and families throughout Illinois. As a private practitioner, I have the advantage of working 1-on-1 with clients, which allows me to build relationships and tailor my teaching to each child or teen's individual interests and needs. My approach is warm and collaborative, with the goal of helping clients develop the skills and strategies they need to learn and grow. I help clients learn about their strengths and develop skills and strategies for navigating their challenges. I use a wide variety of virtual tools and resources to engage clients in learning, including (but certainly not limited to) green screen activities, collaborative virtual games, hands-on activities, storybook reading, nonfiction reading, improvisation games, and collaborative writing. I also teach kids and teens how to use virtual tools to support their learning differences, such as how to use text-to-speech and speech-to-text applications.
Feel free to explore the FAQs below and contact me with any further questions or to schedule an intake assessment!
Individual and Family Support Services
I offer student and family support services to help overcome challenges associated with classroom learning and e-learning:
  • Executive functioning challenges
  • Difficulty with self-regulated, independent learning
  • Difficulty with reading and writing
  • Difficulty navigating remote learning platforms
  • Guidance for accommodations and modifications for e-learning for students with learning differences
  • Parent coaching to address challenges with supporting their student at home
  • Challenges with social interaction and social skills
My approach is to not only teach students academic skills, but also provide them with social-emotional support to help them cope through these challenging times. I also want parents to know they are not alone in this.

Teletherapy FAQs

What is teletherapy?
Teletherapy is the delivery of high quality speech, language, and learning services a videoconferencing platform. Sessions may include the use of  video, audio, websites, screen sharing, virtual whiteboards, virtual games, and document sharing to address speech-language goals. Using a videoconferencing platform allows providers to provide therapy in much the same way as face-to-face, the primary difference being the lack of physical presence.
Is teletherapy effective?
Teletherapy is recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as other professional associations for mental health, allied health, and medical providers as an effective means for service delivery, when delivered by experienced practitioners. Teletherapy allows clients to access services without having to travel to receive services, and some clients find it to be more comfortable to receive services virtually from the comfort of their own home or office. There is an emerging body of research supporting teletherapy (Link info: scroll down to "Onto the research" for the research review).
Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, teletherapy allow clients and families to connect with their providers in a way that contributes to public health efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect one another while also allowing clients to continue receiving the high quality services they need. 
Are there any risks or downsides to teletherapy?
Certainly. The lack of face-to-face contact can feel very different and may not be appropriate for some clients based on their diagnosis or personal preference. In the context of speech-language pathology, speech-language pathologists may have to make modifications to account for the fact that they cannot use physical toys, games, cards, or worksheets during their session. Also, there may be limitations to the depth of comprehensive assessment, given that many assessments assume face-to-face contact.
Additionally, as with any technology, there may be technological issues that disrupt, inhibit, or prevent effective service delivery. Your provider will always work to troubleshoot with you, but sometimes, there are technological issues that are beyond our control.
There are also potential risks to your privacy. At Robin's Key, we use HIPAA-compliant GoogleMeet to conduct sessions. However, when receiving services virtually, there is always a risk that your personal information may be accessed by an outside party. Additionally, people in your surroundings and in the provider’s surroundings may be able to hear what’s going on during your session. It is recommended that you wear headphones and participate in services within a secure environment using a private and secure Internet connection. Your provider should share with you what they are doing to protect your confidentiality and is happy to answer any questions or address concerns you may have.
How do you conduct speech, language, and learning sessions virtually?
With such amazing technological resources available to us, with a little creativity, most any speech, language, and learning goal can be addressed virtually! Sessions may include parent coaching and/or direct therapy/intervention, depending on the age and goals for each client. Many therapy tasks we do in person can be adapted to a virtual platform with a little creativity and ingenuity. Resources I use during sessions include toys, puppets, picture books, virtual board games, green screen adventures, PDF worksheets, crafts, YouTube videos, iPad games, GoogleDocs, interactive slideshows, virtual escape rooms, and more!
When working with young children, a parent or guardian often needs to be present to help facilitate the session. While we do the best we can to make sessions just as engaging as in-person, providers may need your help redirecting your child's attention and helping them use the technology.
What does a typical teletherapy session look like for a young child?
 Just like in-person therapy, parent coaching is a key component of many speech, language, and learning teletherapy sessions. I coach parents about using language building strategies with their child during play and shared book reading as well as everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, and taking a walk. The great thing about being virtual is that we can work on goals within the context of your own home and daily activities, so you can continue supporting your child’s communication and learning throughout the week! I also engage children directly with puppets and storybooks that I share with my document camera and by going on green screen adventures! We may sing songs and use sign language or picture communication to develop early language skills. I've also had fun finding creative ways to play with race cars, Disney princesses, and other client favorites during sessions. One week in teletherapy, a preschooler and I took all our toy cars and school buses to the car wash using a spray bottle and dish rag! We had a blast practicing sequencing, using two-word phrases, following directions, making requests, and using describing words.
What Does a typical session look like for a school age child, teen, or young adult?
Depending on a student’s goals, sessions can take on many different forms. Many children are adept with technology, so we can easily incorporate their knowledge and interests into activities while helping them work towards achieving their speech, language, and learning goals! To give a few examples, we can analyze YouTube videos to work on social thinking goals, play virtual games while working on articulation goals, screen share to read through different literary and expository texts when working on reading skills, and use GoogleDocs to work on writing goals. One really unique feature of teletherapy, is that we also have the opportunity to talk about how technology can support and inhibit communication and learning. Through screen sharing, we can directly learn about identifying valid and reliable research and news information and discuss safe and effective communication on social media and gaming platforms.
Does insurance cover teletherapy?
Yes! At this time, BCBS PPO and Blue Choice plans are covering teletherapy as they would in-person services.

If you have any other insurance, you will need to check with your specific insurance provider. If you have out-of-network benefits for speech-language therapy and have met your deductible, many insurance companies will cover teletherapy. Ask your insurance provider if your plan covers "telehealth" for speech-language therapy.

Keep in mind that standard rules for which services are and are not covered still apply; for example, if your plan does not cover in-person services for stuttering, they will not cover teletherapy for stuttering either. Academic services for reading, writing, and learning support are also never covered by insurance, as these are educational services, not healthcare services.
*Note that at Robin's Key, a sliding fee scale is also available.
what services are available virtually?
Assessment, intervention, coaching, and consulting services can all be delivered virtually. ALL speech, language, and learning services at Robin's Key have been moved to virtual teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am continuing to serve existing clients virtually and am also accepting new clients! I was providing teletherapy even before COVID-19, so I am very skilled and comfortable at delivering services this way.
Does my child have to have a disability or IEP to receive virtual learning support?
No. I believe that any child who is struggling in school could benefit from additional support, regardless of whether they have a "disability." Every student learns a little differently, so we will work together to help your child understand their strengths and challenges and "learn how to learn." I can support any student who needs help developing skills and strategies for learning in school and developing social relationships. Additionally, I place a strong focus on social-emotional learning and executive functioning, which are particularly important skills during this high-stress time. Note that all new clients are required to receive an assessment prior to beginning services to help us understand what type of support your child or teen needs. Assessment is also required for insurance reimbursement.
Can you help Me teach my child while schools are closed?
Absolutely! As students learn from home, families may be facing a lot of stress and frustration. These feelings are real and natural. Having to support their child/teen's learning at home in the midst of a public health crisis is not something anyone "signed up for." As a speech-language pathologist, I have a strong background in education and child development. I'm happy to help families set routines, manage attention and behavior challenges, support continued learning and development, and communicate effectively with teachers when there are issues or concerns.
my child has an iep or 504 plan but is not receiving direct services from their school right now. Can you help for just a short term?
Yes! Many families are worried about their child's progress, and I'm happy to provide services to help fill the gap. Please contact me for more information.