As a passionate advocate for creating great outcomes for children, it's essential to explore data-driven approaches to speech-language pathology (SLP). One promising avenue is telehealth-delivered SLP services. A recent systematic review, "The Efficacy of Telehealth-Delivered Speech and Language Intervention for Primary School-Age Children," provides valuable insights into this innovative service delivery model.
According to the review, telehealth can be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy for primary school-age children with speech and/or language difficulties. The research examined seven studies, revealing significant and similar improvements in both telehealth and in-person participants across various outcome measures.
Key findings from the review include:
- Telehealth and in-person therapy both showed significant improvements in speech sound production as measured by the Goldman Fristoe Test of Articulation.
- Functional Communication Measures (FCMs) indicated mixed results, but generally supported the efficacy of telehealth for speech sound production and spoken language comprehension.
- High levels of satisfaction with telehealth services were reported by parents, students, and staff, despite some concerns about reduced attention and technical issues.
Implementing telehealth in your practice can bridge the gap for children in rural or underserved areas, ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive. Here are some practical steps to enhance your telehealth services:
- Utilize real-time videoconferencing to replicate in-person interactions and build rapport with clients.
- Incorporate standardized assessments, such as the GFTA-2, to measure progress effectively.
- Engage parents and caregivers in the therapy process to create a supportive home environment.
- Address technical challenges by ensuring reliable internet connectivity and clear audio-visual quality.
While the current evidence is promising, more rigorous studies are needed to further validate the efficacy of telehealth-delivered SLP services. As practitioners, staying informed about the latest research and continuously refining our methods will help us provide the best possible outcomes for children.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The Efficacy of Telehealth-Delivered Speech and Language Intervention for Primary School-Age Children: A Systematic Review.
