Do you offer in-person services?
Yes! In addition to online speech therapy, I am now offering in-person home visits in select areas of Austin, TX.
What if I don’t live in Austin?
If you live anywhere in the state of Texas, I can support you and your child through online speech therapy or online parent coaching!
What is online speech therapy?
Online speech therapy is also called teletherapy or telepractice. Teletherapy is similar to traditional face-to-face speech therapy, but delivered completely online via a secure videoconferencing platform. Teletherapy is endorsed by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), the national governing body for speech-language pathologists, as an effective way to deliver speech therapy services to children and families.
Is online speech therapy really as effective as in-person speech therapy for children who have difficulty communicating?
Yes! Several research studies have found teletherapy to be as effective as in-person speech therapy for many children, including autistic children and children who have difficulty with speech and language skills. I have been providing online speech therapy services for years and I’ve helped children with communication needs including developing early communication skills, pronouncing speech sounds, moving through the stages of Natural Language Acquisition, and using AAC to communicate. Every child and family has different needs. For many people, virtual speech therapy is a great fit and works well!
How does it work?
For very young children or for individuals that need the support of a caregiver, I use a parent/caregiver coaching model where I give you in-the-moment support during activities and routines. I believe you know your child best, and as you and your child teach me what works for your family, I will coach you on strategies to improve your child’s communication skills.
Some preschool and younger elementary school children enjoy sitting with a parent or caregiver at the computer to engage directly with me through games and activities that I present on screen. This way, you can support your child and learn speech and language strategies together.
Some older school-age children can participate independently in online sessions while parents and caregivers are close by for support if needed.
No matter what type of support you and your child need, we can decide together whether a parent/caregiver coaching model or sessions where I interact with your child directly will work for you, your child and your family.
What are the benefits of in-home and online speech therapy sessions?
No travel to and from clinics or hospitals
No waiting in waiting rooms
Improved attendance and consistency of support
Parents and caregivers are involved in the session
Sessions are provided in the home or school environment, promoting carryover of skills outside of therapy
Can I do a trial online session to see how it all works?
Yes! As part of your free consultation, we can do a trial virtual session with you and your child. If we are thinking your child may participate with me directly, I will plan some fun activities based on your child’s interests and we can see how they respond to online speech therapy. If your child would benefit from parent coaching sessions, the free trial session will be a chance for me to show you how virtual coaching sessions work. From there, we can make a decision to move forward if you feel it’s right for your child and your family!
What equipment do I need for teletherapy?
To participate in online speech therapy, you will need high speed internet and a laptop computer or tablet with a microphone and a webcam. For parent coaching sessions, logging in from a phone also works. Parade uses a HIPAA compliant conferencing platform to keep your sessions secure.
Related Blog Posts:
Why I Love Teletherapy
Green Screen Magic: Using a Green Screen in Online Speech Therapy
My Go-To Materials for Teletherapy
Online Speech Therapy for the R Sound