Telehealth speech therapy has quickly transformed the Speech Pathology industry. Here at SpeechEase, we are SO glad that telehealth has made speech therapy more accessible for everyone. Whether you or a loved one is seeking speech therapy services, telehealth can provide a convenient and effective solution.
With telehealth speech therapy, there’s no need to travel long distances or cancel appointments because you have a little cough. Telehealth sessions allow you to engage in personalized speech therapy from any location, using video calls and creative online therapy tasks to reach your goals. Keep on reading to find out more about telehealth speech therapy.
What is Telehealth Speech Therapy?
Telehealth speech therapy is a game-changer. With just one click, you can connect with a qualified speech therapist from the comfort of your own home. Typically, you’ll receive an email with a link to a Zoom or Microsoft Teams meeting. Once that link is clicked, a video call will begin with your therapist. It is that easy!
If it’s your first time using one of these online meeting tools, you will need to download an app or software (like Zoom) onto your computer or phone. This is something that most Speech Pathology clinics will help you to set up and test out so that you are ready for your first telehealth session. We know that sometimes technology has challenges, but here at SpeechEase, we have a wonderful Clinical Support Team ready to answer your questions and troubleshoot any problem that may arise.
Telehealth speech therapy is particularly beneficial for those in rural areas, where access to services may be limited. It breaks geographical barriers, bringing speech therapy to your doorstep. It is also a great option for those who may not be able to come into sessions due to logistical issues, like transportation costs, support from different carers, or timing of other appointments, work, or school commitments. People of all ages can benefit from the flexibility and convenience of telehealth, leading to improved communication skills and confidence in daily life!
The Benefits of Telehealth Speech Therapy for Clients
Increased Accessibility
You can have appointments from home or school, or even your hotel in between relaxing on the beach and getting a massage! All you need is access to your computer, the internet, and a quiet environment. Telehealth makes healthcare more accessible to everyone, ensuring you get the care you need, when you need it.
It’s Proven to Be Just as Effective as Face-to-Face Speech Therapy!
Aside from the fact that you can wear your slippers, the benefits that clients receive are endless. In fact, research shows that therapy can be as beneficial, if not more beneficial. The therapist gets to see the client in their home environment. So, the client is more comfortable being in their familiar space.
Being at Home Can Support Generalisation of Skills
During telehealth sessions, clients are also in a more functional environment. Little ones can play with their toys during language-based play. They can use their own cups and plates for feeding therapy! This means that generalization to home tasks is more likely – because they are already at home.
Therapy at Home Can Support Greater Engagement in Home Practice
Telehealth speech therapy sessions can also set up a great platform for home practice. After the session, clients can copy the tasks that the speech therapist provides and during sessions clients or their parents can ask the speech therapist to demonstrate a task using a frequently-played-with toy or product within the home.
What Do Qualified Speech Pathologists Think of Telehealth?
During telehealth sessions, therapists can assess speech and language development, offer personalized treatment plans, and address various articulation, swallowing, feeding, fluency, voice, and language disorders. With so many interactive online tools and materials to enhance the learning process, making telehealth therapy engaging and enjoyable is easy!
Some tips and tricks for clients and clinicians include:
- Make sure your camera and microphone are on
- Check your internet connection and use an Ethernet cord if needed
- Use headphones with a microphone to ensure the best sound quality
- Step into another room if you need to reduce background noise
- Keep a water bottle with you (make sure it won’t spill on your laptop!)
- Tell family or household members you will be busy for this period of time
- Parents stay with your little ones to support them!
Some of our clinicians’ favourite telehealth speech therapy activities:
- Online games (ABCya, SuperDuper)
- PowerPoint slides with images, links, words, or sounds.
- Online books
- Cards that can be printed by the parent and the clinician
- iSpy pdf pages
- Show and tell of your favourite things
*Note screen sharing may be required to allow these to be used
We have a comprehensive list of other resources used in the clinic here too!
What Are You Waiting For?
By embracing telehealth speech therapy, you’ll take a significant step towards unlocking your communication potential and achieving your goals. Experience quality care and a world of communication possibilities right at your fingertips. Start your journey today!
Have you got any questions about telehealth? Look at our Telehealth FAQ.
Wondering what comes next? Click the link to find out What to expect from your Telehealth Appointment.
