If your child does not speak and you are considering online speech therapy, you may wonder how it could work. Speech therapists often hear the same question: “How can you provide speech therapy to a nonverbal child over a computer?”
Children who do not talk can still participate in online speech therapy and benefit from it. Here is a closer look at online speech therapy, how it works for nonspeaking children, and the benefits it can offer.
How does online speech therapy work?
You may be wondering what online speech therapy looks like. The first online session will assess your child’s communication abilities. This evaluation will give the speech therapist a clear picture of your child’s current strengths and weaknesses, helping them decide where therapy should begin.
The speech therapist will also ask why you are seeking speech therapy for your child. This is a good time to explain what you hope therapy will address and ask any questions you have.
After the evaluation, your speech therapist will create measurable goals to work on over the next few months. These goals will reflect your child’s current needs. Making the goals measurable is important because it allows the therapist to track and monitor your child’s progress.
As part of this process, the speech therapist will determine the right starting point for your child. Your child may be close to using words and need only a small amount of support. Or they may benefit from using gestures or an AAC device. These other forms of communication can help a child communicate until they begin speaking, while some children may use them long-term. Your online speech therapist will guide you through each step.
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Play is an important part of online speech therapy
Speech therapy should be individualized for every client, so each session is tailored to the family and the child’s specific goals. During sessions, the therapist will choose fun, engaging activities that help the child work toward those goals.
Play is used in speech therapy sessions regardless of a child’s age. In online therapy, that might involve stacking blocks with a toddler, making pretend Play-Doh food with a preschooler, or playing an online game with a school-age child. Play can also involve getting up and moving, perhaps by dancing or playing a physical game.
We often think of play as a break from work, but for children, the opposite is true. Play is how children learn about and explore the world. Developing strong play skills can therefore support their communication growth and development.
Play also helps children stay motivated as they practice therapy goals that may feel challenging or overwhelming. It can make speech therapy feel less like “work.”
A parent or caregiver should stay nearby during the session to support and help the child. The speech therapist will likely use your child’s own belongings and toys that you already have at home. They will also show you how to use those items during the week to encourage your child to communicate.
These materials can be as simple as bubbles, a ball, toy cars, crayons and paper, or a favorite book. The speech therapist can introduce play activities and mirror what is happening in the child’s home, but parent participation is essential. This is especially important when a child is younger than 7 years old or needs more support or guidance to follow directions.
How does online speech therapy differ from in-person therapy?
In online therapy, the client communicates and learns through a computer or tablet instead of sitting in the same room as the speech therapist. In that respect, online and in-person therapy are different.
The speech therapist will work on the same goals with your child in either setting. Online speech therapy also offers several benefits, particularly for children who do not talk. One important difference is that online sessions make it easier for parents and caregivers to participate in the child’s care. Families can learn communication techniques to use at home, helping the child make faster progress.
How does online speech therapy work for nonverbal children?
A nonspeaking child does not use words to communicate. They may make different sounds in response to people or situations, but they do not use true words to express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions.
You may be thinking, “How can speech therapy work if my child cannot talk?” Consider it this way: Your child is not talking, which is precisely why they need to see a speech therapist. It should not be a reason not to seek care. Speech therapists know how to work with children across a wide range of communication abilities, both online and in person.
During online sessions, you will be there to support your child, speak with the therapist, and learn strategies you can use at home. Unlike speech therapy provided at school or in a clinic, online therapy makes parent involvement easy. You can learn what your child is learning and practice with them throughout the week. This benefits verbal and nonverbal children alike.
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Benefits of online speech therapy for nonverbal children
One of the main benefits of online speech therapy for children who do not talk is that sessions take place at home, where the child may feel most comfortable and relaxed. Watching the child interact and communicate in this familiar setting can help the speech therapist identify what is working and what needs attention. If the child becomes frustrated or begins grunting and crying during a session, the therapist can work with the family to understand the cause and find ways to help the child communicate.
Imagine that, during an online session, the speech therapist asks a parent to show the child a book. The child becomes frustrated when the book appears. After noticing the child gesturing toward the bookshelf, the therapist thinks the child may want a different book. The therapist can ask the parent to offer several other books and let the child choose. Once the child receives the book they want, they settle down. From this interaction, the therapist identifies that offering choices when possible may help the child communicate more effectively and feel less frustrated.
Any type of speech therapy will identify your child’s communication differences as well as their strengths. Parents of nonspeaking children may think, “They are not talking, so they cannot communicate.” Although the child likely has communication challenges, a speech therapist can assess how they are communicating now, including signs the family may have difficulty recognizing.
For instance, your child may communicate through gestures or simple vocalizations. They may point to something they need or make early attempts at words that are difficult to recognize. Families can easily overlook these efforts because they are listening for clear, spoken words. But communication includes much more than speech.
Additional benefits of online speech therapy
The convenience of online speech therapy often helps families begin treatment sooner. The option to schedule sessions on weeknights or weekends, without having to drive anywhere, can provide valuable flexibility. Starting sooner allows your child to receive the help they need and begin communicating more quickly.
Every speech therapy organization works differently. At Astrel, however, you can text your speech therapist during the week to ask questions and share updates on your child’s progress. We also provide educational resources, demonstration videos, and home activities to help your child practice what they are learning in therapy.
Find the right speech therapist for your child’s unique needs at Astrel. We are here to support you as you help your child build communication skills.