Live, Online Speech Therapy

By Allison Elium, M.A., CCC-SLP

​What is teletherapy?
Teletherapy or telepractice is live, online speech therapy that is provided via a two-way video conference platform. Imagine a Skype session that is HIPAA compliant and allows you to share documents, white boards, and interactive games.  

Why consider teletherapy? 
In my opinion, the most important advantage is having more selection over who your therapist is. If you are unable to find a local therapist who specializes in your treatment, you may be able to connect with one via teletherapy. For example, I am licensed in both California and Texas, so I am able to provide services to anyone who lives in either state. 

Another advantage of teletherapy is the convenience. Scheduling becomes a bit easier when drive-time is no longer a factor. I have also found teletherapy to be a good option for intensive treatment where shorter, more frequent sessions are recommended. Likewise, teletherapy can serve as a wonderful maintenance tool to help transition out of therapy. 

Lastly, technology is motivating! Many children find teletherapy to be a treat. They enjoy playing games on the computer with their speech therapist, and hardly realize they are working.
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Is teletherapy effective?
​Yes! Teletherapy is supported by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Mayo Clinic, and the American Telemedicine Association. 

Is teletherapy right for me or my child? 
To determine if teletherapy is right for you, I recommend discussing your needs with a speech-language pathologist as well as giving the technology a test run! There are a variety of teletherapy platforms out there. At Wildflower Speech Therapy, I am happy to offer trial teletherapy sessions to see how you enjoy the technology.

contact allison elium

​​Allison Elium, MA, CCC-SLP is the owner of Wildflower Speech Therapy, PLLC, a private speech therapy practice in Austin, Tx. Allison specializes primarily in stuttering and speech disorders in children and adults. Read more about her approach here.