What are the Emerging Technologies in Speech Therapy?

Over the past ten years, technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. With speech therapy traditionally focusing on human interaction, many in the speech therapy community may find themselves wondering, what does the future of speech therapy hold?

These rapid technological advancements mean that almost nothing is untouched, and the speech therapy field is no exception. Understanding the role that technology plays in speech and language pathology is important, especially for those currently working with a speech therapist or those in need of the support speech therapy provides. 

Great Speech offers virtual speech therapy services for individuals of all ages facing any kind of communication challenges. Our innovative online platform allows us to provide speech therapy that uses the most current and effective technologies while incorporating the foundational elements of traditional speech therapy. If you’d like to learn more about how online speech therapy works, or are ready to get started with us, schedule your free introductory call today!

What is Speech Therapy?

Before exploring the role of technology in speech therapy, it is important to first understand what this field entails. Speech therapy, also known as speech-language pathology, is a specialized method of treatment aimed at helping people of all ages overcome communication barriers and improve their speech and language skills.  

Speech therapy isn’t only for those with specific communication disorders, as the goal of speech therapy is to facilitate connection with others, enable effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and participate wholly in everyday life. From young children struggling with speech development, to an adult struggling with a lifelong speech disorder or a senior recovering from a stroke, speech therapy provides communication support to those who need it most. 

How Has Technology Changed Speech Therapy? 

One of the most profound technological changes in the speech therapy field is the emergence of online speech therapy. While speech therapy has traditionally been practiced in in-person settings, recent studies have shown that virtual speech therapy offers the same efficacy and results that traditional in-person speech therapy provides, with several added benefits.

Online speech therapy is convenient and accessible, as it can take place in any quiet space with a wifi connection. This means individuals can attend speech therapy from the comfort of their own homes, effectively eliminating barriers that make attending speech therapy appointments challenging. 

In addition, by connecting with your speech therapist through our online portal, you eliminate wasted time that was spent commuting to appointments, searching for a parking spot, or sitting in a waiting room. Virtual speech therapy also allows for evening and weekend appointments, making it easier than ever to fit regular speech therapy into busy family schedules. 

If you’d like to learn more about how virtual speech therapy works or are interested in getting started with our amazing online services, connect with us by scheduling your free introductory call today!

What Technology Is Used in Speech Therapy?

Outside of virtual speech therapy services, there are many other modes of technology that are currently being incorporated into speech therapy treatment plans, including:

Interactive Games & Tools: There are many speech and language-building games, apps, and online tools available to support the approaches traditionally used in speech therapy. These online resources are used both during speech therapy sessions and provided for use as “homework” to maintain and practice the targeted skills between sessions. Children and adults alike are drawn to these engaging tools, as they offer variety and stimulation, adding some much-needed fun to their speech therapy work.

Virtual Reality: Virtual reality (also known as VR) and augmented reality (AR) can provide a fun and unique twist to traditional speech therapy. Using these innovative technologies provides chances for individuals to be immersed in and experience real-life situations, offering direct learning opportunities. Virtual reality can simulate specific social interactions, professional scenarios, and other situations that are challenging for the individual.

Artificial Intelligence: One of the most significant advancements has been the rapid development of artificial intelligence over the past few years. While how it will be used in speech therapy and the benefits it brings are still largely up for debate, one thing for certain is it won’t be long before it is incorporated into speech therapy. AI is already being used in speech and language pathology to aid with documentation and evaluating individuals who are new to speech therapy. 

By using these modern and innovative technological tools, speech and language pathologists can be more efficient with their time, effectively improving the efficacy and efficiency of online speech therapy.   

The Bottom Line 

While it is common to feel unsure or skeptical of the role of technology in speech therapy and the benefits it provides, there is no stopping these advancements and their integration into traditional forms of therapy is inevitable. Understanding and identifying these changes as they occur can help us prepare for the future and make the most out of speech and language pathology. 

Technological advancements have already allowed Great Speech to provide state-of-the-art, high-quality speech and language therapy to individuals of all ages across the country. We are always working to improve and advance our current methods with a common goal of providing the best possible support to those who we work with. 

At Great Speech, we take the privacy of our clients very seriously, and all virtual speech therapy appointments take place through our secure online portal. All of our online services are HIPAA-compliant, secure, and easy to use. Attending appointments and reaping all of the benefits of speech therapy without the inconvenience, wasted time, or extra fees of traditional therapy, has never been easier. Don’t wait to get started; schedule your free introductory call today!