TELETHERAPY - FAQ
What is teletherapy/telehealth/telepractice?
Teletherapy/telehealth/telepractice are all synonymous terms for the application of using technology to receive professional speech-language therapy services at a distance. Technology paves the way to link client to clinician for assessment, therapy, and consultation. Teletherapy is done in a similar fashion as in-person speech therapy but the techniques used will probably look different.
What equipment or materials will I need for teletherapy?
-
High speed internet connection (wired or wireless)
-
Computer/tablet with a web camera and microphone access (internal/external)
-
Parent/caregiver in close proximity to help with technology issues that might arise as well as to be an active participant in the session and learn speech/language strategies their child is using
-
Quiet environment with limited background noise to ensure that both the client and the clinician are able to hear each other well and focus appropriately
Is teletherapy private?
Just like an in-person appointment, each teletherapy session is private and confidential. Be Brave Speech Therapy uses a HIPPA compliant video conferencing platform for teletherapy sessions.
What can I do to improve the quality of my connection?
-
Use wired Ethernet instead of wireless whenever possible - WiFi will work but their may be lag and interference which may make the video and audio choppy. Moving closer to the router may help!
-
Test your internet connection speed. Speedtest.net is a great free tool to use to make sure that that the device you're using for teletherapy is set up for a successful connection and audio/video quality..
-
Close all other programs that are running in the background and make sure you're not downloading any large files during the teletherapy session. This will almost always ensure a more enhanced video quality.
How can I prepare my space for a telethearpy session?
-
Pick a room in your home that is quiet, private, and free from distractions
-
To reduce background noise make sure to close windows, shut doors, turn the TV and radio off, and keep loud pets in another room, if possible.
Does teletherapy work and is it appropriate for my child?
Yes! Teletherapy has been shown in research to be as effective as in-person therapy sessions. The American-Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) is very supportive of teletherapy and is committed to bring effective services to everyone who may need it. The following are some research articles that support teletherapy:
​