Speech therapy online and at home has become an increasingly popular way to treat children who need help communicating. It provides many new benefits for children without compromising their quality of care and safety.
However, one question that parents ask themselves is, “is this right for my child?”. Here are a few key insights for virtual speech therapy and how it can potentially be the best fit for your child's speech therapy.
In-Person vs. Online Speech Therapy: What's the Difference?
Speech therapists typically provide their services through face-to-face (in-person) sessions through their client's school or via their own clinic. Face-to-face sessions are more traditional options, but families today also have the alternative options to do teletherapy via the internet.
In Ohio, a pilot study was conducted at an outpatient clinic where they compared the effectiveness of both in person and online speech therapy methods. The kids (school age) who received the intervention showed significant improvement with both programs. Online therapy was also associated with better outcomes for students' individual education plans (IEPs).
Teletherapy (also known as telepractice), which was first introduced in 1978, has now been recognized by the American Speech- Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) as an effective delivery model to deliver speech therapy services to families that need speech-language pathology.
How Does Online Therapy Work?
Online and in person therapies are largely similar because they focus on helping children achieve their speech goals. However, with teletherapy, therapists use online resources and games designed specifically for remotely helping children who need support in developing their speech and fine motor skills.
Video conferencing software is widely used so speech pathologists can see the children anywhere for their sessions. Speech-language therapists often also use online platforms to immediately share feedback and recommendations with the children's parents. This accessible communication at home might also show more natural behavior to the therapist compared to being in unfamiliar environments, such as a clinic.
Online speech therapy for children has proven to be an effective alternative to traditional methods of treatment. It’s not really a direct competitor for therapy services; rather, it offers an alternative option for clients who want something different than traditional therapy sessions.
To decide whether online speech therapy is right for your child, we need to consider some other important factors:
1) Your Child's Comfort Level
Children often act differently than they normally would when away from their parents. In-person therapy isn't for everyone; some children may be shy. The routine of getting ready for an appointment can also be stressful for them because it feels like you're going somewhere uncomfortable.
Teletherapy addresses this by bringing therapy into wherever the best natural location is (usually at home). If you want your children to use their words or their new skills more often in daily situations, then having them in an environment where they're comfortable may be helpful.
2) Quality of Therapy Available
Parents often fear that online speech therapists aren't as skilled as their in-person counterparts. This is a big misconception. Reputable practices have licensed speech-language pathologists. They would have the same qualifications as those you would meet in a hospital, school or clinic and often post these qualifications on their website.
On many occasions, speech pathologists spearhead these companies. They build teams of licensed speech therapists like them to deliver therapy to more children. There are also cases where practices with physical clinics are those that also offer online alternatives. Whether fully-online, in person or both, each delivery style still offers comprehensive therapy.
3) Your Parental Involvement and Access to Coaching
Home speech therapy sessions can be an ideal way to coach parents who want to improve their language- or speech-based parenting skills. You get to observe your child in action without any interference from outside influences. Additionally, your child won't be distracted by anything when he/she plays alone at his/her own pace. They won't feel like they're as watched as in clinics or at school.
Activities like eating meals and playing games are carried out just as they would be every day. Your child won't need to ease into activities that he/she has done in a clinic before integrating them at home. You're also able to get feedback from your therapist regarding any issues that might be preventing your child from performing at their best, and apply it directly at home without waiting.
Online speech therapy sessions give parents an opportunity for them to become more involved in their children’s development. You can even actively participate during these sessions by asking questions and getting suggestions for improvement from your therapist.
4) Your Need for Convenience
Online speech therapy provides accessibility when needed most. It helps save you time by eliminating the commute, and it reduces appointment cancellation or delays through unpredictable events like bad weather during travel. Teletherapies are also mostly transacted online- that means from booking your appointments to paying your bills, all can be done through your devices at home.
If you live in a relatively quiet or remote neighborhood, online speech therapy may also allow your family to still have access to an available therapist when they need it. You can even look for specialists who live far away if your child particularly need to see them.
Online speech therapists may also offer services outside of normal business hours, which makes them ideal if you need help after your work day, or after your child's school day. Your child can get access to therapy sessions when they are most comfortable, and you can also attend them together when you are free to support them.
So Will It Work for My Family?
There are many ways to get speech therapy nowadays, and online speech therapy is definitely a medium to consider. Online speech therapy is available for everyone, but we’ve found that they work best if:
● You're able to get things done faster because your child is more cooperative at home.
● You live in an isolated location where there isn't any nearby access to therapy.
● Your local health clinic doesn't provide specialized care for children.
● There isn't enough time for you to take your child to therapy.
Speech therapy online is also an excellent option for parents who want high-quality speech therapy but don't want their children exposed to COVID-19.
Modern online speech therapy for children has become an increasingly popular option, but it isn't always right for everyone. However, there are many benefits associated with online speech therapy compared to traditional speech therapy. Depending on your specific needs, those benefits may be particularly advantageous to your family.
If you want to know more about online speech therapy, sign up for our free consultation! We evaluate your child’s speech or language skills and discuss whether online therapy can be the right fit for them.
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