One Greece family is thankful for the use of video conferencing sessions during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Good. It's different," says Anthony Coffey of Greece, describing how he's adjusting to online therapy.

The 12-year-old sixth-grader is diagnosed with autism and ADHD.

"I'm managing pretty good. It was hard at first to get into the routine," he says.

Anthony and his mom April say the telehealth therapy is making a huge difference.

"This is just a really convenient, practical way for us to still participate in it because I think it would be really difficult juggling all this and then having to leave the house and meet the providers face-to-ace," April says.

Anthony meets via telehealth regularly with Hillside Children's Center Peer Advocate Nathaniel Nasello.

"Sometimes it's a little intimidating talking about tough subjects in person. And sometimes it's easier when you aren't really feeling confronted or, in a way, you're more on the phone or just through technology, just kind of expressing some of your feelings towards things," Nasello says.

Anthony had been receiving skill building services and case management through Hillside. Now that work continues virtually.

"So, we're able to actually partake in all of those services this way which is great. There's not been a blip in anything, really nice," April says.

"We talk about strategies I can use for certain things, and stuff like that, and it helps me because he's there to guide me a little bit," adds Anthony.

The New York State Coalition for Children’s Behavioral Health says children’s behavioral and mental health providers continue to help children with special needs during this time.  ​

"We were a little apprehensive as to how it would work out, but I've seen that youth are just so engaged," Nasello says.

The video conferencing health care is working so well for the family that April says she may want to continue these sessions, even after the pandemic is over.