Cassville R-IV Speech and Language Services partners with teletherapy service
January 30, 2019
In an effort to serve Cassville R-IV students that have qualified for speech and language therapy, DotCom Therapy services are now available for preschool through eighth grade students at the district.
“It is a very exciting time to be an educator,” said Traci Mitchell, Cassville R-IV Director of Learning. “Through the advancement in technology, we are now able to offer more opportunities for our students than ever before.”
DotCom Therapy provides face-to-face, audio and visual real-time instruction through teletherapy from a certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Depending on services needed, students utilize the technology once or twice a week for 30 minute sessions.
In addition to teletherapy, students will continue to receive services from the district’s Speech-Language Pathologists Sheryl Fuchs and Kami Willis. Fuchs or Willis are also on site to oversee therapy sessions with the DotCom therapist as well.
“We are blessed to currently have two speech pathologists on staff,” said Mitchell. “However, they are extremely busy and we have been looking for ways to help support them and their services to our students. MSBA in partnership with DotCom Therapy has provided a way, through video conferencing, to have access to another speech pathologist who can work in conjunction with our staff without having to travel to Cassville. In all honesty, we were very skeptical about this type of program and were on a trial basis at first. Our technology department has worked very hard to make sure our students have a clear and consistent connection with the therapist and we truly appreciate everyone who has strived to bring this together.”
Students at Cassville that benefit from this service receive therapy from Aliece Barklage, M.S. CCC-SLP. Barklage has been a therapist for over 10 years and strives to ensure each child receives the most innovative and individualized services available.
“Our students are loving the new platform and we are extremely happy with their engagement and excitement while learning,” stated Mitchell. “This is another opportunity for us to put kids first.”
In an effort to serve Cassville R-IV students that have qualified for speech and language therapy, DotCom Therapy services are now available for preschool through eighth grade students at the district.
“It is a very exciting time to be an educator,” said Traci Mitchell, Cassville R-IV Director of Learning. “Through the advancement in technology, we are now able to offer more opportunities for our students than ever before.”
DotCom Therapy provides face-to-face, audio and visual real-time instruction through teletherapy from a certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Depending on services needed, students utilize the technology once or twice a week for 30 minute sessions.
In addition to teletherapy, students will continue to receive services from the district’s Speech-Language Pathologists Sheryl Fuchs and Kami Willis. Fuchs or Willis are also on site to oversee therapy sessions with the DotCom therapist as well.
“We are blessed to currently have two speech pathologists on staff,” said Mitchell. “However, they are extremely busy and we have been looking for ways to help support them and their services to our students. MSBA in partnership with DotCom Therapy has provided a way, through video conferencing, to have access to another speech pathologist who can work in conjunction with our staff without having to travel to Cassville. In all honesty, we were very skeptical about this type of program and were on a trial basis at first. Our technology department has worked very hard to make sure our students have a clear and consistent connection with the therapist and we truly appreciate everyone who has strived to bring this together.”
Students at Cassville that benefit from this service receive therapy from Aliece Barklage, M.S. CCC-SLP. Barklage has been a therapist for over 10 years and strives to ensure each child receives the most innovative and individualized services available.
“Our students are loving the new platform and we are extremely happy with their engagement and excitement while learning,” stated Mitchell. “This is another opportunity for us to put kids first.”
Pictured above are teacher Sheryl Fuchs and students Milton Aman (left) and Nathan Ruiz (right) utilizing the DotCom Therapy service.