Online vs. In-Person Speech Therapy: What is the Difference?
If you or a loved one is considering speech therapy, you may wonder if in-person or online therapy is the best option. Both therapy types have pros and cons, so it can be tough to decide. This article will explore the differences between online and in-person speech therapy to help you make the best decision for your needs.
What is Speech Therapy, and What Are its Benefits?
What Are the Different Types of Speech Therapy?
Online vs. In-Person Speech Therapy: Pros and Cons
Which Type of Speech Therapy is Ideal For Me?
What Are Some Common Myths About Online Speech-Language Pathology?
What is Speech Therapy, and What Are its Benefits?
Speech therapy aims to help people develop or regain the ability to communicate effectively. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with individuals of all ages, from infants to older adults.
Speech therapy services can help children and adults with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, stuttering, expressive and receptive language delays, reading difficulties, voice disorders, and articulation and phonological disorders.
Speech therapy can also help adults and geriatrics who have experienced a stroke, head injury, and neurological diseases.
During an evaluation, the therapist will assess the client's individual needs and tailor a treatment plan accordingly. Treatment may involve exercises to improve the strength of the muscles used in speech, improve fluency, modify the quality of the voice, and enhance language and cognitive skills.
There are many benefits to speech therapy. Some benefits of speech therapy are that it can help improve communication skills, increase self-confidence, and allow people to understand and use language better. Speech therapy can also help individuals with communication problems return to work or school and improve their quality of life overall. For some people, speech therapy may even be life-changing.
How Does Speech Therapy Work?
Speech therapy typically involves one-on-one sessions with a licensed speech therapist. The therapist will assess the patient's individual needs and create a treatment plan.
Speech-Language Therapy For Children
Speech pathologists can keep children engaged and having fun while learning essential communication skills. A speech therapist will work closely with parents, teachers, and caregivers, giving them the tools to reinforce communication development between sessions.
Speech-Language Therapy For Adults
For adult clients, speech therapy aims to improve communication skills so the individual feels more confident in social situations and work. Treatment may include exercises to improve speech sound production and activities to improve cognitive skills such as thinking and memory.
What Are the Different Types of Speech Therapy?
There are two main types of speech therapy: online speech therapy and in-person speech therapy.
Online speech therapy is a type of therapy provided remotely from the comfort of home. A person can meet with a speech therapist through video conferencing tools like Zoom.
In-person speech therapy is provided in person, typically in an outpatient setting such as a clinic, hospital, or rehabilitation center.
Online vs. In-Person Speech Therapy: Pros and Cons
Now that we have explored the two types of speech therapy let's compare the pros and cons of online vs. in-person speech therapy.
Pros of Online Speech Therapy
More flexible scheduling
One of the main benefits of online speech therapy is that it offers more flexible scheduling. Flexible scheduling is especially beneficial for people who have busy lives and cannot commit to regular in-person appointments.
With online speech therapy, you can work with your therapist to create appointments that fit your schedule. You can also access therapy sessions from anywhere you have internet access, so you can continue your therapy even when traveling within your state of residence.
Can be done from the comfort of your home
An online speech therapy session from home can be an excellent option for people who have mobility issues, live in a rural area, or do not have easy access to transportation. Online speech therapy also benefits immunocompromised patients who want to avoid exposure to germs and bacteria by receiving treatment from their homes.
Convenient for busy people
Online speech therapy can be convenient if you have a busy schedule because it offers more flexibility. Virtual speech therapy lets you conveniently fit therapy appointments into your busy schedule.
Cost-effective
Online speech therapy can be more cost-effective than traditional therapy because you can receive treatment from the comfort of your home, eliminating the need to pay for transportation or childcare.
Cons of Online Speech Therapy
May not be suitable for complex conditions
Online speech therapy may not be appropriate for all types of communication disorders. If you have a more complex condition, you may need in-person therapy to receive the most effective treatment.
Technology needed
Another potential downside of online speech therapy is that you will need access to a computer or other internet-connected device to participate. Online speech therapy may not be a good option for you if you do not have reliable access to the internet.
Pros of In-Person Speech Therapy
Hands-on support
In-person speech therapy can benefit those who require more hands-on support because the therapist can provide physical cues and assistance.
Personal comfort
Many individuals with communication disorders may feel more comfortable discussing personal matters in person than remotely.
Cons of In-Person Speech Therapy
More expensive
One of the main drawbacks of in-person speech therapy is that it's typically more expensive than online speech therapy. With in-person speech therapy, you pay for the overhead costs of a brick-and-mortar office and your therapist's time.
Requires more time commitment
Another drawback of in-person speech therapy is that it requires more time than online speech therapy. You'll need to travel to and from your appointments to attend therapy in person and arrange a time to meet with your therapist.
Not as flexible with scheduling
If you have a busy schedule, in-person speech therapy may not be your best option. When you attend in-person speech therapy, you must factor in the time spent traveling to and from appointments.
Which Type of Speech Therapy is Ideal For Me?
The best type of speech therapy depends on the individual's needs and preferences. Some people may prefer online speech therapy because it is more convenient and costs less.
Others may prefer in-person speech therapy because it provides more hands-on support.
Ultimately, the choice is up to the individual or their family.
If you're considering speech therapy, we encourage you to speak with a licensed speech therapist to learn more about your options and find the best fit.
What Are Some Common Myths About Online Speech-Language Pathology?
Some common myths about online speech pathology are that:
it's not as effective as in-person speech therapy
you won't get the same level of personal attention
it's only for people with minor communication difficulties
Online speech therapy can be as effective as in-person speech therapy, and you can still get the individualized attention you need. Online speech therapy can be used for people with all types of speech disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if in-person speech therapy is right for me?
The best way to determine if in-person speech therapy is right for you is to speak with a licensed speech therapist. An SLP will be able to assess your needs and preferences and recommend the best solution.
2. Does virtual speech therapy work for toddlers?
Yes, virtual speech therapy activities designed are highly effective in the virtual format. Many online speech therapy programs offer activities and games specifically designed for toddlers. These activities help to improve articulation, fluency, voice, and language skills.
In online speech therapy for toddlers, your speech pathologist will work closely with parents and caregivers to teach you how to promote language skills.
3. How Can I Find a Speech Therapist?
If you are interested in finding a speech therapist, there are a few ways you can go about it. One way is to ask your physician or another healthcare professional for a recommendation.
Another way is to search online or on social media. You can also look for directories for speech therapists, such as the one offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Once you have found a few potential choices, read their reviews or ask for referrals from people you trust before deciding.
4. What Should I Look For in a Speech Therapist?
You should keep a few things in mind when looking for an online speech therapist. First, ensure the therapist is licensed and certified in your state. You can typically find this information on their website or by asking them directly.
Second, look for a therapist who has experience treating patients with conditions similar to yours. This will ensure they know the best treatment methods for your situation.
Third, ensure that the therapist offers the type of therapy you prefer. For example, some therapists only provide group therapy, while others may offer individual and caregiver training.
Lastly, be sure to read reviews of the therapist before making your decision. This will give you a good idea of what other people have thought of their experience with the therapist.
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help
At Connected Speech Pathology, we offer various online speech therapy services designed to meet our patients' needs. We offer individualized one-on-one therapy for adults and children of all ages.
Please contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule a free consultation. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have.
About the Author
Allison Geller is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and the owner of Connected Speech Pathology. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Florida in Speech-Language Pathology. Allison has practiced speech therapy in a number of settings including telepractice, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and private practice. She has worked extensively with individuals across the lifespan including toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adults. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders, brain injury, and swallowing disorders.
Allison served as the clinical coordinator of research in aphasia in the Neurological Institute at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. She is on the Board of Directors for the Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN), a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certified clinician, and a proud Family Empowerment Scholarship/Step-Up For Students provider. Allison is passionate about delivering high quality-effective treatment remotely because it’s convenient and easy to access. What sets us apart from other online speech therapy options is—Allison takes great care to hire the very best SLPs from all over the country.
