Online speech therapy is a flexible, convenient choice for many families. Research shows that it works just as well as in-person speech therapy. It also gives parents a valuable opportunity to take part in their child’s sessions. Still, some parents wonder, “There’s no way my child will sit still and look at a screen for that long.”
If that thought has crossed your mind, you’re not alone. It’s one of the concerns online speech therapists hear most often. Let’s look more closely at what online speech therapy is really like, what helps it succeed, and how it can work in real life. Here’s an important preview: It’s completely fine if your child can’t sit still or focus on the screen. In many cases, we don’t expect them to.
What happens in online speech therapy sessions for children?
Online speech therapy is tailored to each family and the child’s specific goals. But every speech therapy session uses play, no matter the child’s age. That might mean 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 gives children a way to practice therapy goals that might otherwise feel difficult or overwhelming. It makes speech therapy feel less like “work.”
Before each session, the therapist may ask caregivers to have a few toys or activities ready. These can be simple items such as bubbles, a ball, toy cars, crayons and paper, or a favorite book. The speech therapist can start play activities and mirror what is happening in the child’s home, but parent participation is essential. This is especially true when a child is younger than 7 years old or needs more guidance and support to follow directions.
Insider tip: Consider setting aside a box of toys just for speech therapy. If the toys come out only during speech sessions, the activities can continue to feel fresh and special while helping your child stay motivated. Be sure to tell the therapist what your child enjoys playing with.
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What if my child can’t sit still and focus on the screen?
You may have wondered, or heard a friend or family member ask, “How can anyone expect a young child to sit and look at a screen for 30 minutes of therapy?”
Online speech therapists hear this concern often. But here’s the key: Online speech therapy isn’t designed to work that way. Yes, it involves a screen, and the therapist may use fun, interactive activities on that screen to capture your child’s interest. But online speech therapy involves much more than sitting and watching.
That’s where parent involvement becomes important. It is both an effective way to help your child learn and a practical way to keep them engaged during therapy. For example, the therapist might suggest a particular way for you to play or interact with your child during the session, then offer guidance and support as you do it.
Speech therapists understand the importance of staying flexible and going with the flow. Above all, they follow the child’s lead.
An experienced speech therapist will also have other techniques to help an online session run smoothly. If a child still has difficulty sitting still, the therapist may add some structure and direction. That could mean creating a visual schedule for the session, asking the family to work in a smaller room so the child cannot run too far away, or using a reward system. Once the therapist understands your child’s preferences, learning style, and home environment, they can tailor treatment accordingly. This is known as a child-led approach, and speech therapists and families see great results from it.
If your child needs to get up, that’s OK. Many children need movement to stay regulated. Speech therapists can incorporate movement exercises and activities while continuing to address speech goals. For example, they might ask your child to:
- Sing songs with movements. Take a look at this video from a session with a 2-year-old, where singing is clearly a hit.
- Complete an obstacle course, scavenger hunt, or I Spy game while working on therapy tasks
- Finish a therapy task, then take a short break to move or play however they choose
In short, speech therapists know that flexibility matters. They may plan each session ahead of time, but they are always ready to set that plan aside when needed. Following the child’s lead comes first.
The key to successful online speech therapy
One of the most important ingredients in successful speech therapy is parent involvement. When caregivers participate in sessions and learn strategies to use with their child at home, this is called parent coaching. Speech therapists value the opportunity to coach caregivers and give them the tools, knowledge, and techniques they need to strengthen their child’s communication. The more families can practice at homebetween sessions, the faster the child will make progress.
This is one of the main reasons online speech therapy works so well. Compared with traditional in-person therapy in a clinic or school, online sessions make it easier for caregivers to participate. Children also benefit from learning at home, where they are in their most comfortable and natural environment.
The evidence supports this. Research shows the benefits of parent involvement in a child’s speech practice. The speech therapist brings clinical expertise, but you are the expert on your child. Numerous research studies have shown that children make much more progress toward their goals when caregivers play an active role in therapy instead of remaining passive observers.
More tips for a successful online speech therapy session
Parent involvement and engaging activities can help a child focus during speech therapy, but the surrounding environment matters too. Before an online session, choose a calm, quiet space for your child.
For a young child, a high chair or another comfortable chair can encourage participation. Turn off the TV and limit other distractions during the session. This can help keep frustration to a minimum.
If your child is absorbed in a highly motivating toy or activity before the session, they may struggle with transitioning away from it. To avoid this, save especially desirable games and toys for afterward. Don’t give your child a favorite item beforehand only to take it away when therapy begins. Special activities, such as watching a favorite TV show or playing outside, can also wait until the session is over.
Finally, do your best to use a reliable computer or tablet and a strong internet connection. A phone can technically be used for speech therapy, but a larger screen is much better. It allows children to see more clearly and may make it easier for them to pay attention.
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An example of an online speech therapy session
We’ve covered many of the strategies used in online speech therapy. Now let’s bring them together by considering what might happen during an actual online session with a toddler. Please note that this example is hypothetical. No personal client information is being shared.
Imagine that an online speech therapist is working with an extremely active 2-year-old. He has a short attention span, stays seated for only a few minutes during hands-on activities, and loves music. He is receiving speech therapy for a speech delay, also described as limited expressive language.
When the toddler and his mother join the online session, he is fussy and wants to run around. The speech therapist gives him a few minutes to get his wiggles out. Meanwhile, she talks with his mother, giving her time to ask questions and share updates. Mom explains that it has been a difficult day for her child and suggests a few activities he might enjoy. He has been asking to color, she says, and wants Spotify turned on so he can dance to his favorite songs.
The therapist then looks for ways to address the toddler’s treatment goals through activities he enjoys. She might begin by helping him practice signs or words such as “more” or “on” to request music. This is where parent involvement becomes essential. Mom can turn the music on and off, creating repeated opportunities for him to make those requests. Each time the boy says “more,” the music comes on and he gets a minute to dance.
This gives the mother a practical way to learn which words and signs to practice with her child. She can also learn from the speech therapist how to support his communication.
The speech therapist finds ways to work on the toddler’s speech goals through activities he enjoys.
After a while, the child becomes too frustrated to participate whenever the music stops. The therapist recognizes that it’s time to change course. She may give him two choices: He can “color” or “read books.” He gestures toward his crayons and sits for a few minutes to color. The therapist can introduce words such as “draw” or “picture.” She may then prompt his mother to offer him two colors and ask him to imitate the word for the color he wants. During this session, the toddler may be more likely to imitate his mother than the speech therapist.
After about 5 minutes, the toddler loses interest in coloring and begins running around the room. The therapist asks Mom to bring out some toys he has not seen in a while. He is excited by the toys but frustrated that he cannot have all of them. The therapist guides the parent through the situation. Mom positions the laptop or tablet so the therapist can still see them, then follows the therapist’s prompts during the interaction. The therapist explains which toys to bring out and which words to model for the child to imitate.
In this scenario, the child rarely needed to sit down or watch the speech therapist. The activities changed whenever necessary. Online speech therapy should follow the child’s lead.
The child’s parent also played an essential role in the session. She learned techniques she can use throughout the week to build her child’s language skills, which will help him make faster progress.
We’re here to answer your speech therapy questions
If you’d like to learn more about online speech therapy, reach out to us at Astrel. We can help you find the right therapist for your child and support you as you encourage your child’s communication growth.