Telehealth Speech Therapy Services

Recent research indicates play based learning is just as effective via teletherapy. Clinicians report integrating interactive activities like games, storytelling, and digital tools into telepractice sessions—essentially a play-based approach. These strategies not only make sessions more enjoyable but also support engagement and learning by keeping children motivated (Remote Assessment and Intervention…, 2024) .

 A study comparing standard-of-care interventions delivered via telehealth versus in-person therapy included tabletop play activities—a classic play-based technique—to promote social communication and fine motor skills. The telehealth group demonstrated strong feasibility and effectiveness, showing that even hands-on, play-style activities can work virtually (Telehealth Versus Face-to-Face Fine Motor and Social Communication…, 2023) 

   Researchers compared live telehealth sessions to traditional, in-person speech therapy. The result? Both groups made big improvements in their speech—but the telehealth group actually did better at meeting their IEP goals (Grogan-Johnson et al., 2011). Yes, you read that right: remote therapy helped kids hit their Speech targets faster!

   A systematic review by Wales, Skinner, and Hayman (2017) dug into the evidence and found that speech and language therapy via telehealth works just as well as in-person sessions for primary school-aged children. Whether it’s over Zoom or in the classroom, kids are making real gains in their speech development.

And it doesn’t stop there. Another in-depth literature review confirmed what many speech therapists are already seeing in action: telepractice delivers similar improvements in speech outcomes compared to traditional therapy (Stoliker, 2021). So, why not take advantage of the flexibility and reach of digital care?

 In recent studies, children receiving telehealth services—we’re talking language coaching, school-based support—showed marked improvements in speech, academic participation, and classroom engagement. One Australian study found a significant increase in teacher‑rated speech and language performance from 35.05 to 40.02 over one semester of telehealth therapy (Langbecker et al., 2019) 

Additionally, telehealth-based parent-implemented interventions are not only feasible but effective. These approaches equip caregivers to apply techniques like naturalistic teaching, responsive interaction, and focused stimulation—across a range of developmental conditions—leading to real improvements in children’s language (Meadan et al., 2016; Roberts & Kaiser, 2011; Akamoglu & Meadan, 2018) 

 A wide-ranging evidence summary (January 2024) underscores ReST’s effectiveness—including telehealth variants—and calls out telepractice as an emerging and valuable mode of delivery in CAS treatment (McCabe, Murray & Thomas, 2024).

 The Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment (ReST)—a motor-based therapy targeting prosody and articulation using pseudo-words—has been successfully delivered via videoconference to children with CAS aged 5–11 years. A phase‑1 efficacy study using multiple-baseline design reported positive gains, including generalization to untreated words (Thomas et al., 2016).

A wide-ranging evidence summary (January 2024) underscores ReST’s effectiveness—including telehealth variants—and calls out telepractice as an emerging and valuable mode of delivery in CAS treatment (McCabe, Murray & Thomas, 2024).

• Accessibility & Reach: Telepractice can bring much-needed, evidence-based CAS therapy to rural or underserved areas, reducing travel burden and increasing consistency.
   
• Comparable Gains: Gains in accuracy, intelligibility, and generalization via telehealth align with—or sometimes exceed—those from in-person therapy, as seen with ReST.
   
• Supports Family Delivery: Telehealth facilitates home-based or hybrid models where parents can be engaged and empowered, supporting continuity.
   
• Future-Ready Learning: The evolving research base positions telepractice as a viable and innovative path for CAS therapy, ready for broader clinical integration.

 Why Telehealth Works for APD Intervention in Speech Pathology -More Access to Specialists and Individualized Care

Telehealth opens doors for families who don't have local APD experts. Real-time, remote therapy provides the same high-quality audiological and speech assessments—no need for lengthy travel (Auditory Processing Center, 2025) Auditory Processing Center.  Convenient, Home-Based Auditory Interventions

Telepractice enables discrete, in-home delivery of APD-focused therapy tools like auditory training, at-home apps, and strategy coaching. These methods align with traditional goals but are delivered with added convenience (Auditory Center, 2025) Auditory Processing Center.

 Feasible Remote Assessment Option Teleaudiology studies are showing that central auditory processing tests can be reliably administered online, making diagnostic services more accessible—even remotely (Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, 2025) ICHGCP+1. Broad Support for Telepractice in Related Fields

While not APD-specific, the broader evidence shows that telepractice effectively delivers speech, language, and audiology services. Practitioners are increasingly using online models with proven outcomes (ASHA Telepractice Portal) ASHA+1. Systematic reviews also affirm that speech-language pathology via telehealth yields similar gains compared to traditional delivery in other areas (Wales et al., 2017; systematic review) PubMedPMC. Impactful Environmental and Strategic Support

Speech pathologists working with APD remotely can still guide environmental modifications—like noise reduction, visual supports, and listening strategies—to improve listening clarity and comprehension at home or school (Magic Words Therapy; Carespeechpathology)

At The Speech Boutique, we believe that communication is an essential part of a happy and fulfilling life.   

Hearing screening plays a crucial role in identifying children who might be experiencing difficulties with speech sound discrimination, a key component in effective communication. Speech pathologists rely on accurate hearing assessments to provide effective therapy. Hearing tests help them understand if a child's speech difficulties are related to hearing loss or other factors. For instance, a child who can't hear certain speech sounds might struggle to produce them correctly. By knowing the exact nature of a hearing issue, speech pathologists can tailor their approach to each child's needs.

Regular hearing screenings also allow speech pathologists to track progress over time. This is especially useful when working with children who have fluctuating hearing loss or are at risk of progressive hearing problems.

 We use evidence-based practices and personalized treatment plans to address each individual's unique needs. Our approach includes a combination of therapy techniques to ensure the most effective outcomes.   

Research shows that telehealth can be an effective platform for delivering social skills training, especially for children with communication difficulties such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and pragmatic language impairments.

• Systematic      Reviews and Meta-Analyses (Ellison et al., 2022; Sutherland et al.,      2018) have found that telepractice interventions targeting social      communication are generally as effective as in-person therapy, with      similar improvements in social interaction, conversational      skills, and emotional regulation.
• Parent-Mediated      Telehealth Models: Many studies emphasize the importance of coaching      parents through telehealth. When parents receive live coaching from speech      pathologists during sessions, children tend to show better      generalization of social skills into everyday life (Vismara et al.,      2018; Ingersoll et al., 2020).

2. Practical Outcomes for Children

• Children      receiving social skills interventions via telehealth have demonstrated      improvements in:
  • Initiating       and maintaining conversations
  • Understanding       and using nonverbal cues
  • Sharing       attention and turn-taking
  • Building       friendships and peer interactions
• Telehealth      allows therapists to observe and guide children in their natural home or      school environments, which can enhance real-world social skill use     (Simacek et al., 2021).

3. Advantages of Telehealth for Social Skills

• Increased      access: Families in rural or underserved areas can access specialized      social skills therapy without long travel times.
• Natural      environment learning: Telehealth sessions occur in familiar settings,      which helps children apply social skills in daily contexts.
• Flexibility:     Scheduling telehealth appointments can be easier, encouraging consistency.
• Parent      involvement: Parents actively participate in sessions, learning      strategies to reinforce skills throughout the week.

The existing peer-reviewed literature supports the effectiveness of telehealth in delivering literacy training through speech pathology services. Telepractice has been shown to be as effective as in-person therapy, leading to positive outcomes in literacy skills for children    

A systematic review and meta-analysis by Scott et al. (2024) examined randomized controlled trials comparing telehealth to face-to-face delivery of speech-language pathology services. The findings indicated that telehealth interventions were as effective as in-person therapy for children and adolescents with speech and language disorders, including literacy-related issues.

 Telepractice has been shown to be a valuable tool in the assessment and intervention of pediatric speech-language disorders, including literacy. A study by Anna Smith (2024) highlighted that telepractice offers increased access to services, improved client outcomes, and enhanced collaboration among speech-language pathologists (SLPs), caregivers, and other professionals. These benefits contribute to positive literacy outcomes for children receiving telehealth services.   

We have helped countless individuals improve their communication skills and achieve their goals, regardless of communication style. 

A study by  (Bekteshi et al.) found participants increased their independent use of AAC devices, and both clients and providers reported high satisfaction and acceptability of telehealth-delivered AAC services. 

 Dimian et al. (2018) demonstrated that caregivers coached through live telehealth sessions could successfully teach children (ages ~5 and 7) to use speech-generating devices (SGDs) to make requests. Children acquired these communicative skills across different settings.  Simacek et al. (2017) and related replication studies with children with Rett syndrome reinforced these findings: caregiver tele-coaching enabled reliable AAC implementation, often with fidelity ranging from 92% to 96%. 

 Telehealth is also effective for voice therapy! A comprehensive review noted that six studies (both randomized and non-randomized), involving 233 patients, demonstrated that voice therapy through telepractice is feasible and yields results similar to in-person sessions (Gong et. al, 2024).

 An integrative review examined play-based (or “playful”) strategies in both in-person and distance (telehealth) voice therapy for children and adolescents. It found that while most studies focused on face-to-face settings, some did include online play-based strategies, like gamification and virtual exercises. The review concluded there's a proven benefit to using playful techniques, even in telepractice, and encouraged more development in this area (Play-Based Strategies for Speech Therapy…, 2021) .

 The mounting body of evidence—spanning systematic reviews, RCTs, cohort studies, and clinical observations—strongly supports telehealth as a credible, effective, and user-friendly platform for delivering voice therapy. Especially during periods of limited access (like the COVID‑19 pandemic) or for clients in remote areas, telepractice offers a reliable alternative without compromising therapeutic outcomes. 

We take a collaborative approach to speech therapy, working closely with our clients and their families to develop personalized treatment plans. We believe that communication is a team effort, and we strive to empower our clients to take an active role in their own care. 

The research supports using telehealth in this context too! Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder showed significant improvement in language skills, including vocabulary and grammar, during telehealth sessions.

💬 Plus, parents were able to learn and use the therapy techniques themselves—right at home! (PMC, 2023)