There could be several reasons why you need the help of a speech and language therapist. Perhaps your child isn’t speaking yet, they’re experiencing developmental delays, or they have other speech impediments like a stutter.
In any case, if you are seeking the help of a speech and language professional, you may be wondering whether online or in-person therapy is the right solution.
The effectiveness of these two different styles of therapy depends on several key factors. So, in this guide, we’re going to weigh the pros and cons of both online and in-person therapy to determine if there is a more effective solution and which may be best for you or your family.
The benefits and effectiveness of in-person therapy
Let’s start by looking at the benefits and challenges of more traditional in-person therapy before weighing up how this compares to the online alternative.
Direct interaction
One of the biggest and most obvious benefits of in-person therapy is that it allows for direct physical interaction between the participant and the therapist. For example, this could include hands-on techniques and the use of tangible tools, which are sometimes crucial for treating certain conditions and, for some people, can be more interactive and, therefore, effective.
Not only this, but therapists working face-to-face can better observe subtle physical cues from their patients and provide immediate tactile support when needed. This can be harder when these sessions are done virtually.
Personal connections
Face-to-face interaction can make it easier to build rapport between the therapist and the patient. This can be particularly important for young children or for those clients who rely more on social cues. This is something they may not get when meeting virtually.
Fewer technical barriers
Then, of course, there’s no reliance on technology, so there are fewer risks of technical disruptions or the challenges that come with a virtual format.
The challenges of in-person therapy
As with everything in life, in-person therapy is not without its challenges. Most notably, these services can have limited availability in some areas, particularly more rural areas. This can restrict access to qualified therapists for those who need it.
In addition to this, in-person therapy requires you to factor in travel time, and this can make scheduling harder for some individuals and families. For example, parents who have to manage multiple children’s schedules might find it harder to travel to and from and attend these sessions.
The benefits and effectiveness of online therapy
There are lots of benefits to online speech therapy and it can be very effective for a number of reasons.
The ability to treat many speech and language problems
Research indicates that online speech therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for treating many speech and language disorders, especially those that don’t require hands-on physical manipulation. For example, articulation, language development and fluency disorders.
These studies have shown that children and adults receiving tele-therapy versus in-person therapy can still see the same progress.
Accessibility
Choosing online therapy increases access to qualified therapists, particularly in those rural or underserved areas we mentioned earlier. This method also eliminates the need for travel, which can save a lot of time and reduce missed appointments.
Customisation and interactivity
Video platforms allow therapists to work with clients in real-time and provide instant feedback despite not being in the same room.
Plus, technology makes it possible for therapists to incorporate the use of engaging tools like apps, games and videos tailored to the individual’s needs. This can be even more beneficial for children or those who prefer visual learning techniques.
Parental involvement
For children, parents often take a more active role in online sessions as they don’t require extra time or scheduling pressures, typically being conducted from their own homes. This can reinforce therapy outcomes between sessions and support the child’s development even further.
The challenges of online therapy
As expected, online therapy also comes with its own unique set of challenges, one of the biggest being technical issues, such as poor internet connectivity or outdated technology. This can disrupt and even end sessions.
Not only this, but some clients with disabilities or conditions may require tactile cues, such as apraxia or oral motor exercises. As a result, they may benefit more from in-person sessions as they can’t achieve this as easily through a device.
Making the right choice
So, how does online speech therapy compare to traditional methods, and how can you decide what’s right for you?
Now we’ve looked at the benefits and challenges of both methods, let’s discuss how you can choose which therapy is best for you, your child or the person in your care suffering from speech difficulties.
There are several key factors you need to consider:
- The age of the participant
- Their condition and how severe it is
- How comfortable they (or their caregiver) are with using technology
- Scheduling and flexibility
In most cases, both online and in-person therapy will lead to the same progress and development. Therefore, either is useful.
However, online speech therapy offers additional flexibility and convenience, especially when travel or access to in-person services is challenging. This is also important for those with a limited or tight schedule.
Nowadays, most people have access to a strong enough internet connection at home, and as therapy can be conducted across devices, from laptops and tablets to phones, this is a very accessible form of treatment.
So, for those who are tech-savvy (or have a caregiver who is), this can help to bring their therapy sessions directly into their home without the need to travel.
All that said, for those with conditions requiring tactile feedback, direct physical interaction or severe impairments, in-person therapy might be preferable. Those with more severe disorders may require more hands-on techniques and support.
In many cases, it comes down to preference, but there’s no denying that online therapy can be a more flexible and accessible option for lots of individuals struggling with their speech.
