What sticks: The One Thing That Helps Therapy Carry Over Beyond the Session

Occupational therapy works best when it feels connected, familiar, and consistent. Discover how telehealth can support continuity of care, helping families maintain momentum even when life gets busy.

Why Consistency Supports Ongoing Therapy Engagement (and How Telehealth Can Help)

Life doesn’t pause for therapy. Illness, school commitments, weather, fatigue, and transport challenges can all interrupt attendance—especially for families juggling multiple responsibilities. When sessions are frequently missed, it can be harder for children to feel settled and for parents to stay confident in the process.

Telehealth offers an alternative way to maintain connection during these disruptions.

By reducing travel demands and allowing sessions to occur in the home environment, telehealth can make it easier for families to attend regularly. This consistency helps sessions feel more predictable and familiar—two factors that are particularly important for children who rely on routine and structure.

Regular attendance also means less time is spent re-orienting each session. Instead, therapists, parents, and children can continue building on previously explored strategies, adjusting them as needed based on the child’s current needs and circumstances.

Another advantage of telehealth is flexibility. When challenges arise, sessions can often be adapted rather than cancelled, allowing families to stay engaged without adding pressure. Parents remain present and involved, gaining insight into how therapy ideas can fit into everyday routines.

Importantly, telehealth allows therapists to observe the child within their natural environment. This can support more meaningful discussions about daily activities, expectations, and participation at home.

Progress in occupational therapy is rarely about quick fixes. It is shaped through regular participation, shared understanding, and gradual change over time. Consistency helps therapy feel like a natural part of family life—rather than something separate that only happens in a clinic.

“Therapy should fit into the child’s world—not the other way around. Progress is supported when sessions are meaningful and grounded in everyday life.”
— Zoe Mailloux, OTR/L, FAOTA