The Requirements For Online Speech Therapy: Do You Qualify For It?
Medically Reviewed By Wendy Boring-Bray, DBH, LPCAimed to help those – children and adults alike – with speech impediments, language problems, and accent modification, speech therapy has been found to be an effective method for those struggling with vocal expression to speak more clearly. Online speech therapy can be equally as effective. The field of connected speech pathology and a qualified speech therapist is highly effective in providing better speech services and professional communication development for adults. However, there are certain requirements that need to be met for both adults and children to utilize the benefits of speech therapy.
Why Online Speech Therapy?
It was said in "How Online Speech Therapy is Transforming Speech" that taking speech therapy online is more convenient than doing a session in person. The reason some might prefer online speech therapy to face-to-face speech therapy is because face-to-face therapy is more expensive and more restrictive than online therapy in terms of scheduling, especially for adults.
In addition, most adults who utilize online speech therapy may find it more entertaining or fun to learn through a computer during their speech sessions, and easier to communicate with a speech therapist. It may also draw children of all ages into committing to the online speech therapy. Connected speech pathology can be a challenging form of therapy for achieving better speech abilities, so it’s important to make it as enjoyable as possible. Yet, it should not always be assumed that everyone has a computer or immediate access to one.
The Requirements for Online Speech Therapy
Not only is one required to have a computer with high speed internet to participate in online speech therapy, but one will also need a webcam and a headset with a microphone. While online speech therapy may be cheaper than face-to-face therapy, it does not mean that the equipment necessary for the therapy will be cheap.
Though it may be true that some who need online speech therapy may not be able to afford the necessary equipment, there are other means of finding online speech therapy services or an online speech therapist to help with better speech, some of which accept insurance and some that utilize a private pay treatment plan format.
For children of all ages who are students, it is very possible that they can use the necessary equipment at schools, libraries, or other learning establishments and districts to communicate with their therapist in speech therapy. Other possibilities for utilizing affordable online speech therapy is through hospitals and clinics.
Some of these same facilities can also lend you a headset and microphone if they have some available to check out. Other things that might be needed for online speech therapy are an email account, good lighting, and a quiet environment, which are free and are available in all the listed facilities.
Other Online Therapies
With the help of a therapist specialized in connected speech pathology, great speech is achievable. And while BetterHelp does not offer online speech therapy services for adults, it does provide other kinds of online therapy services offered by our team of licensed therapists, and professional communication that doesn’t require private pay.
Just like online speech therapy, one needs a computer or a mobile device and high speed internet to utilize this therapy service treatment plan. But remote communication through a BetterHelp session designed for adults is easier to access than other online speech therapies, because it does not always require a webcam, headset, or microphone. That is, unless you are interested in speaking to a therapist using our video chat services for your weekly communication session.
Questions People Commonly Ask:
Is online speech therapy effective?
Can speech therapy be done virtually?
Can you do speech therapy at home?
How can I do my child's speech therapy at home?
What is teletherapy speech?
How do adults do speech therapy at home?
How do you do an online speech?
How long has telepractice been around?
Does speech delay mean autism?
How can I help my 3 year old with speech delay?
Below are some commonly asked questions around this topic:
Can speech therapy be done virtually?
Yes, speech therapy can be done virtually with an internet connection. It can be offered for children or adults who want to improve some form of communication skills or have better speech. But unlike the BetterHelp therapy platform and its ease of use, it may be more difficult to find online speech therapy services that can be done entirely through a smart device.
Oftentimes your speech therapist will require you to use a computer monitor and webcam and a decent set of headphones to offer these types of online communication and language services, since the auditory element of speech therapy is so crucial. But once you’re set up, you can receive communication help for memory loss related issues, accent modification services, and better speech abilities. Keep in mind, some virtual therapists operate on a private pay system, while others may accept insurance.
How long has telepractice been around?
Telepractice is commonly used by speech language pathologists and speech therapists to deliver speech therapy and online speech therapy services remotely to their clients. A licensed speech therapist can specialize in adult speech therapy, children speech therapy, musculoskeletal injuries, and better speech language. A CCC SLP licensed speech therapist can now deliver language and communication services through an online platform with high speed internet connection, or the telephone. Telepractice was deemed an appropriate treatment of online speech language therapy by the ASLHA around 2010, and since then online speech therapy work has become more widely used as a treatment for language disorders, communication disorders, voice therapy, and speech language skills.
Can you do speech therapy at home?
Parents can assist their child with speech language, social communication disorders, speech delays, and generally work on better speech from the comfort of their own home. You can create communication goals for children of all ages by helping your child practice pronouncing words or spend more time actively listening to them with patience.
But addressing communication problems with your children may not be as simple as helping them with their communication skills. A treatment plan that involves a session with a licensed speech therapist or speech language pathologist CCC SLP may be necessary for children, especially if your child has any voice disorders, swallowing disfunctions, or communication goals. Professional help can take things from struggling communication abilities to better speech.
Speech language pathology is a highly specialized field, so don’t shy away from feeling like you need additional speech services from a licensed speech therapist or connected speech pathology team to help your child. Some online speech therapists offer a free consultation for their speech language therapy services for both children and adults of all ages, so inquire about this before signing up for your first online speech therapy session.
Does speech delay mean autism?
A speech delay, which usually occurs in young children of all ages rather than adults, does not necessarily indicate autism. There is a regular pattern to the stages of child development, including when a child begins to respond verbally to oral or physical communication. But some children may be missing these major communication milestones or seemingly falling behind.
While this is often an indication of autism, there are other voice disorders, communication and speech language disorders it could be. If you’re concerned about your children showing signs of speech delay, consider looking into connected speech pathology or speech language pathology, and sort through a team of speech therapists who know how to evaluate your child’s communication skills or offer services to help them with better speech.
