If you’re concerned that your child might be suffering from speech or language difficulties, you need the help of a speech therapist.
They will be able to offer you a professional assessment to uncover any problems your child may be facing before giving you a treatment plan.
Naturally, you want to make this process seamless and stress-free for both you and your child, which can be tough if you have to attend regular therapy sessions. This is particularly true if there are few speech and language therapists in your area.
In today’s digital world, online therapy and virtual learning could be the ideal solution, but can you get online speech therapy for your kids?
The short answer is, yes, you can get online speech therapy for your child. We’re now going to look at how it works and why this could be the best solution for your family.
How Online Therapy Works
Online speech therapy works by connecting you and your child to a speech and language therapist (SALT) through video conferencing and other online platforms.
This setup allows you to take part in therapy sessions in real-time over the internet without having to go to the therapist’s office in person.
This process will work in a similar way to traditional therapy in that your child will receive an initial assessment and interactive sessions based on their tailored plan. Some of the key features of an online therapy session will include:
• Real-time communication through live video sessions
• Engaging online activities such as interactive games, as well as visuals and exercises that the therapist will share with the child via video link
• A mixture of other online tools and resources
• Parental involvement in these online sessions. This can be really helpful, especially with younger kids
• Regular assessments and progress tracking to measure improvement
• Convenient remote access, allowing your child to participate in therapy from home or a remote location
Just like traditional therapy, these sessions will be ongoing until your child’s speech improves, at which time the therapist may gradually reduce the frequency of these sessions.
Benefits Of Online Speech Therapy For Kids
There are loads of great reasons to choose online speech and language therapy, and some of the key benefits include:
Convenience
As you can access therapy sessions and interactive activities from the comfort of your home, you eliminate the need to travel to a clinic. This also means you can continue the sessions while you’re away at secondary locations if required.
Flexibility
Online therapy also offers more flexible scheduling options. This makes it easier to fit sessions around your child’s school and extracurricular activities, as well as your own schedule.
Access to Specialists
If you live in an area with limited access to specialized speech therapists, online therapy gives you access to professionals who are experts in their fields. This can be very important if your child has a specific speech or language disorder that needs addressing.
Engaging Interactive Games and Tools
Lots of online therapists will use interactive tools, games, and activities to engage your child throughout the session and help them learn. This can help to keep them motivated and can make learning and development more fun.
Parental Involvement
Parents can easily be part of these sessions as they are flexible and can easily fit around their schedule. This can help to reinforce the skills learned during therapy at home.
How To Find The Perfect Online Speech Therapist
Online speech therapy makes receiving treatment easier than ever, but you still want to make sure that you find the perfect therapist for your child.
The good news is that there are dedicated services like Saltroad that are designed to help connect you with the right person. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find one that suits your needs.
Identify Your Child’s Needs
Firstly, you need to determine the specific speech or language issues that you need to address, for example, stuttering, articulation, and aphasia. If you don’t know already, you might need to get an initial speech and language assessment to get to the underlying cause of these issues.
This might highlight whether you need a therapist that specialises in certain areas. This will make it easier to find the right person to support your child.
Speak with Other Professionals
You might be able to find out about online therapy services through other professionals who are working with your child. For example, their teacher or doctor might be able to recommend an online provider or professional directory that can help connect them with speech therapists.
Look into Professional Directories
As online therapy becomes more popular, online SALT directories like Saltroad are expanding. You can use these platforms to search for specific criteria and find the therapist that is right for your child and their specific needs.
What To Look Out For When Choosing A Therapist
Here are some of the key aspects to look out for when choosing the right speech therapist for your child.
Credentials and Licensing
You should make sure that the therapist has all the right certifications and licenses. If you choose a professional directory, it’s likely that the therapists will have already been vetted to make sure they are qualified.
However, some therapists will be more experienced and qualified than others, so take a look through all their qualifications and certificates to ensure you get the right, most qualified professional for your child.
Look for Free Consultations
Some online speech therapists will offer a free consultation to help you evaluate if their approach fits your child’s needs and establish a comfortable relationship. Be sure to look out for those who offer a free initial consultation.
Consider Pricing
Price will, of course, factor into your speech therapy. If you’re paying privately, you need to look at their fees to make sure you choose a provider that fits your budget.
If you’re going through the healthcare system or being referred by another professional, you may be more limited by which online SALT provider you can choose based on price or free services.
Feedbacks and Testimonials
Lastly, it’s a good idea to look at reviews on the professional directory or platform you’ve chosen. You can also use Google and other review sites to get a sense of other patients’ experiences with that particular therapist.
If you’re looking for an online speech therapist for your child right now, check out the Saltroad directory to be instantly connected with a host of expert therapists.