Despite current restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, Monica LaSalle-Footit, MA CCC/SLP, a Speech Language Pathologist and owner of Seaside Rehabilitation in Cape May Court House, continues to serve her clients by offering telemedicine visits to new and existing patients from the comfort of their homes.
Monica LaSalle-Footit has over 25 years’ experience working with clients in all areas of communication and swallowing rehabilitation. She began her career specializing in rehabilitative care post neurological disease and injury, dementia, and dysphagia with the adult and geriatric care, but has now expanded her practice to pediatric care and autistic services, as well.
While some insurance companies have offered telemedicine visits for years, not all companies cover the service. With the current pandemic restrictions, all insurance companies have now opened their policies and lifted their telemedicine restrictions to include this modality of treatment delivery.
Although telemedicine visits are much different than in-person sessions, it has opened doors for Monica and provided unique learning opportunities with her patients. For her youngest clients, Monica can observe parent-child interactions in their natural environment, which allows her to teach parents new ways to elicit language from a therapist’s standpoint. For older children, she can engage with them through technology to teach them ways to build their skills, while also piquing their interest. For her older, adult clients, it is not only a speech therapy session but also a lesson in modern technology!
While Monica’s experience covers all aspects of communication, social language, and swallowing impairment for clients throughout the lifespan, she also has a certification in diagnosing autism and can work with the client’s pediatricians to accelerate the care process. Although most insurance companies will not cover autism testing, Monica works closely with her client’s pediatrician to ensure families are receiving speech therapy services as soon as possible. Many children wait up to 15 months for an evaluation from a Developmental Pediatrician and so much valuable time is lost in the waiting process. While Monica believes her evaluation does not replace that of a Developmental Pediatrician, her services are a great option in the interim to help families and children get a head start on much needed speech services.
Monica LaSalle-Footit, MA, CCC/SLP has a new office located at 211 S. Main Street, Suite 301, Cape May Court House. She looks forward to seeing everyone in person soon and encourages all new patients to schedule a telemedicine appointment for the time being. Find out more information about Monica’s practice, services, insurance coverage, and more at www.seasiderehab.wordpress.com, or call 609-435-3067 to schedule an appointment.
