What is Telepractice?

Given the prevalence of COVID-19 in the news and our daily lives as of late, it is possible that you’ve already heard the terms telehealth, telemedicine, or telepractice. Telepractice is the utilization of telecommunication to provide speech-language pathology services like screenings, evaluations, consultations, and direct therapy. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) chose the term telepractice over terms such as telehealth to reflect that speech-language therapy services are provided in more than just the healthcare setting--you can find speech-language pathologists (SLPs) reaching clients in their homes, schools, and workplaces via telepractice.

Telepractice can be provided via a number of commercial platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, doxy.me, TheraPlatform, etc. You'll need a device that has a microphone and a camera such as a cellphone, tablet, or laptop, and a good internet connection. You may be surprised just how much can be accomplished via telepractice!

Set your child’s environment up for a successful session. It’s a good idea to have a consistent area in which your child participates in therapy each time. Allow some room for them to take a movement break if needed. Remove any distractions from the environment if you can, but have some toys and activities ready to go. Help your child choose some toys or items to share with their therapist. Be prepared to remain with your child for the duration of their session to offer encouragement, troubleshoot any tech glitches, and learn strategies to support your child’s speech and language development.

Have any additional questions about telepractice? Still not sure if telepractice is right for your family? We’d love to collaborate with you. You can reach us at info@soundspeechtherapyandwellness.com