The Waitlist Problem: Why People Are Waiting Months To Start Speech Therapy & Why That Matters

If you’ve ever tried to get speech therapy for yourself or your child, you may have run into a frustrating reality: the waitlist. Families are often added to a waitlist that stretches out for weeks, months, or sometimes even years. This is more than just an inconvenience. It's a major problem that has negative consequences for communication, development, and long-term outcomes. 

With Great Speech, you can get high-quality care without the long wait. Book an Appointment to get started today. 

Long Waitlists Are Often The Norm, Not The Exception

Unfortunately, research shows that speech therapy waitlists are incredibly common. One study in particular was completed by 267 Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) from 10 countries working in health, disability, education, and private sectors. 73.6% of them reported having a waitlist, with wait times ranging from 0 to 42 months, with an average of 8 months. 

This is very concerning, considering approximately 1 in 6 people in the United States has had some type of communication disorder.

Why Are Waitlists So Long? 

There is no single reason why waitlists are so long; however, there are some key factors that are driving the problem:

A Growing Need for Service

• Awareness of speech and language delays has increased in recent years and more children are being screened for delays earlier. This is a good thing, but it also means that there is greater demand. 

A Shortage of Providers

• There are simply not enough SLPs to meet the demand in many regions. This is particularly true in rural areas and communities that rely on public funding. 

Insurance and Administrative Barriers

• Sometimes, therapy is delayed as patients and their families sort out evaluations, insurance approvals, and appointments that fit nicely with their busy schedules. 

High Caseloads

• Many Speech Therapists are balancing large caseloads, which makes it difficult to onboard new clients in a timely manner. 

Longer Lifespans

• Average lifespans have increased, leading to more support required for ailments that affect the aging population, such as alzheimer’s, dementia, parkisons among others.

Why Delaying Speech Therapy is a Problem

Waiting for speech therapy is never good, especially for children, and there are many reasons why:

Early Intervention is Important

Speech and language skills develop rapidly in early childhood. Delays in getting help can affect everything from social interaction to academic readiness and success. The earlier therapy begins, the more effective it tends to be. You can read more on this topic in our blog: The Importance of Early Intervention for Speech and Language Disorders. 

Communication Impacts Behavior and Learning

More than speech is impacted when someone struggles to communicate effectively. Problems with communication can lead to:

• Frustration and behavioral challenges
• Difficulty forming and keeping relationships
• Delays in reading and writing
• Reduced confidence in school and social settings

Delays Can Lead to Increased Long-Term Costs

When speech issues are not addressed early, they can become more complex, which can lead to needing more intensive (and expensive) intervention later.

Emotional Toll on Clients and Their Families

Waiting is stressful for the client as well as their families, as they know that help is needed and there is nothing that they can do but wait.  

Virtual Speech Therapy is a Faster, More Accessible Option

The good news is that traditional in-person speech therapy is not the only option anymore. Virtual speech therapy has quickly become a practical and effective alternative for many families, and there are many reasons why. 

Instead of commuting to a clinic and waiting months for availability, sessions happen online, from home, on your flexible schedule. This alone removes many of the biggest barriers to care. 

With Great Speech, you can be matched with an expert licensed speech therapist and begin therapy in as little as 3-5 business days. That kind of access can make a great difference, especially when early intervention is so important. 

Cost is another factor that many families worry about. They often assume that faster access means higher prices, but that is not necessarily the case. In fact, our clients at Great Speech who have insurance pay an average of just $18 per session, making it a realistic option for many households. 

You can read more about the benefits of virtual speech therapy in our blog: How Effective Is Virtual Speech Therapy?

Final Thoughts

The demand for speech therapy is not slowing down. If anything, it's increasing due to greater awareness and a deeper understanding of how important communication skills are to development. 

Speech therapy is one of the best interventions for communication and development, and too many people are stuck waiting for help with the traditional methods. You do not need to feel stuck. At Great Speech, we can get you or your loved one help in as little as 3-5 business days. Schedule your free introductory call to see how we can help.