Online speech therapy takes full advantage of modern technology to make speech therapy services more accessible and effective for patients. However, with any new changes to medical care, we understand that parents may have a bit of uncertainty and plenty of questions.
At All Care Therapies, we want parents – and especially your child – to be fully comfortable when working with our online speech therapists. Below we discuss some of the most common questions parents have about speech therapy and online speech therapy.
Let us put your doubts to ease and show you why All Care Therapies can be the speech therapy provider that will change your child’s life.
Common Questions Parents Ask
1. How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?
There are several signs to look out for if you believe your child may be in need of speech therapy services. Some of the most notable behaviors include:
- Your child does not react to what is happening in their surroundings in a way deemed normal.
- Your child avoids using a variety of words or sounds.
- Your child has trouble understanding or answering questions.
- Your child does not interact with other kids their age or toys the same way others would.
- Your child is unable to tell adults what they need with words. They use gestures, other sounds, or even tantrums.
- Your child does not follow instructions well.
If your child is exhibiting any of these signs, it is important to contact a speech language therapist (SLP) who can evaluate your child’s need and determine whether they are experiencing a speech delay or other communication disorder.
2. How will my child be evaluated?
Your child will undergo an official assessment of their language abilities based on two kinds of measures: formal and informal.
Formal measures compare the child’s skills to those of other children their age. These activities include simple tasks like labeling pictures and answering questions.
Informal measures consist of getting to know the child better, this includes interviews with teachers, caregivers, and other people who may know the child well. This will give the speech-language therapist valuable insight into the child’s speech development.
Based on these measurements and observations of the child’s play and interactions, the SLP will be able to effectively diagnose the child’s needs and develop a therapy plan.
3. What is online speech therapy?
Online speech therapy is a modern form of speech therapy delivered through live digital media rather than in-person. At All Care Therapies, we are able to provide services through the use of the Internet and a computer or tablet – it’s that simple.
This way, the child can be comfortable in the convenience of their own home or school setting.
4. Is online therapy as effective as its on-site counterpart?
Yes! Online speech therapy is as effective as on-site therapy. Research has shown this to be true and, in fact, some studies have even indicated it is more effective than other methods when serving children who may be dealing with anxiety, sensory sensitivity, or other conditions that can make in-person sessions difficult.
5. How does it work and what will I need?
All Care Therapies makes it completely simple, all you need to do is request an appointment with us. The day of the session, all you will need is:
- A solid Internet connection
- A computer, laptop, or tablet with video camera capabilities
- Headphones
- A quiet, well-lit room or environment
6. What are the benefits of online speech therapy?
In general, online speech therapy makes speech therapy much more accessible to the families and children that truly need the services. This is especially true for individuals living in rural areas who do not have immediate access to speech-language therapy services and who may need to travel substantial distances to receive the care they need.
It is also beneficial – as previously mentioned – for children dealing with other conditions that can make it challenging for them to receive treatment in an office setting.
Online speech therapy also allows children to receive the support they need in the comfort of their own home. It also makes it much easier for parents to get involved in their child’s therapy program.
7. How long will the program take?
How long the therapy process will take depends on a number of factors including the goals that are being pursued, the rate of your child’s progress, their consistency in session attendance, and the family’s willingness to practice after a session is over.
8. Will my insurance cover online speech therapy?
At All Care Therapies, we are able to bill some insurance plans for online sessions.
However, it is best that you to check beforehand to see what coverage you can receive. We will gladly supply you with the necessary paperwork to submit to your insurance company or pre-tax savings plan.
Fortunately, for many families, the growth and success of online speech therapy means many insurance companies are willing to cover this service.
9. What are some ways to encourage my child’s language development at home?
Dialogic reading is one of the best options to improve vocabulary and comprehension.
Children love having stories read to them and this form of reading provides them with the opportunity to answer questions and ask them as well. Ask your child comprehension questions about the story as you are reading along and encourage them to interact.
You can even add commentary to the story by sharing some relevant anecdotes with your child. As your child grows, questions can become more abstract and open-ended, causing them to develop their conversational and speech skills.
10. How important is speech/language development to academic success?
Simply put – it is very important. Research shows that children who reach their language and speech milestones earlier in life do better academically.
Yet, this does not mean that a child with a communication disorder cannot be successful or catch-up with their peers. It is very important, however, that any delays are identified early so that speech therapy can be successful.
11. Is it ok if my child is learning two languages at once?
Understandably, many parents may think it would be troublesome to teach their child two languages if the child is already experiencing a speech delay or a disorder – but this should not be a cause for concern.
If you decide you want your child to learn two languages at once, that is a great idea and it works even better if they start at a young age.
It is recommended to have the child spend time with a language model who is a native speaker of the second language, like a babysitter or a teacher. Kids as young as fours months old are capable of differentiating between different languages.
12. Why should I choose All Care Therapies?
All Care Therapies can help you with all your online speech therapy needs. We are well prepared to help improve your child’s life and communication skills. When you choose All Care Therapies, you are choosing:
- Better outcomes. Online therapy helps children better absorb the lessons and skills being taught to them.
- Improved compliance and participation. Better scheduling options means families can take advantage of these services.
- Kids love it. Children love tech and the online world. Online therapy is a more enjoyable experience where they can participate in fun, game-based activities.
- Parents are happier. Parents love to see the progress being made and all the fun their children are having.
- Better communication and reporting. The online system allows for quicker and easier communication between patients and therapists.
If you are concerned your child may be suffering from a speech or communication disorder, do not hesitate to contact All Care Therapies today at: 877-757-8353
