How Effective Is Virtual Speech Therapy?
The need for speech therapy across the United States is growing. It is expected to continue rising, driven by factors such as an aging population and increased awareness of communication disorders. In the last 12 months, nearly 1 in 12 (7.7%) children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have had a disorder related to voice, speech, or language. An estimated 17.9 million adults ages 18 or older in the United States report having had a problem with their voice in the past 12 months.
Technology has transformed many aspects of healthcare in recent years, and speech therapy is no exception. Virtual speech therapy has been gaining popularity as an alternative to in-person sessions.
Is Virtual Speech Therapy As Effective As In-Person Speech Therapy
Virtual speech therapy has proven to be equally effective as traditional in-person speech therapy for people of all ages. It can be even more convenient and flexible in many cases, making it an excellent option for most people!
Telemedicine, including virtual speech therapy, has been a growing area of interest since the Covid-19 pandemic. The National Library of Medicine completed a study regarding this topic, and its findings reported that 73% of its 226 respondents preferred virtual speech therapy over in-person therapy.
Bringing speech therapy to an online environment makes receiving support and guidance from an experienced speech and language pathologist easier and more convenient than ever.
Benefits of Online vs In-Person Speech Therapy
Convenience and Accessibility - Online speech therapy removes the need for travel. This makes it easier for someone who has mobility issues, health issues, no access to transportation or for those who live in remote areas to still receive quality care.
Improved Access to Top Tier Services - In-person speech therapy is limited to options that are local to you. Virtual speech therapy has no boundaries. You can work with the most qualified speech therapist for your needs, not just the one who is conveniently located.
Flexibility in Schedule - Online speech therapy offers more flexibility for scheduling appointments, making it easier to fit into daily routines. This flexibility can be invaluable for people with busy schedules who may otherwise have to miss sessions due to time limitations.
Reduced Travel Time and Costs - Working through speech therapy online versus in person eliminates the need to travel. This, in turn, saves both time and money.
Comfortable, Private, and Familiar Environment - Many people feel more comfortable being in their own environment. Receiving therapy from the comfort of home can reduce anxiety and make the individual feel more relaxed. Practicing speech therapy in a familiar, private space like their home can also lead to greater participation and a stronger bond with the therapist.
Family Involvement - Family and caregivers are key to helping individuals achieve their speech and language goals. Being involved helps them understand the treatment plan and learn ways to support their loved one. Online speech therapy makes this involvement even easier.
Digital Tools and Support Groups - In this time of technological greatness, there is access to many great virtual tools to help reach speech and language objectives. People of all ages will achieve their goals by using various tools and games to keep them engaged and looking forward to their sessions. Support groups bring people together who are going through similar struggles, including struggles with speech and language. While you may have difficulty finding like-minded people in your community, there will be many options online. These support groups will offer the same support and comfort as in-person groups while also being more convenient.
How Does Virtual Speech Therapy With Great Speech Work?
Getting started with virtual speech therapy at Great Speech is simple! First, you will schedule a free introductory call. During this call, your concerns and specific needs will be discussed and evaluated. You will be matched with a speech and language pathologist (SLP) who is perfectly suited to your particular challenges, needs, and speech therapy goals. They will work with you to develop a customized plan to reach your full potential. Although every speech therapy plan is unique and individualized, many speech and language pathologists will recommend a course of 12-week modules that include two 30-minute sessions per week.
Everyone deserves to communicate with confidence. If you believe that you or a loved one could benefit from virtual speech therapy, schedule a free introductory call to get started.