If you’re thinking about speech therapy for your child, you might be wondering: does it really work online? The good news is — yes!
What the Research Says
A comprehensive review found that children receiving telehealth speech pathology services made similar gains to those receiving in‑person therapy — with no significant differences in measured outcomes between the two groups. This included improvements in speech sound production for school‑age children.
The review also summarised multiple studies showing that online therapy is a flexible and useful way to deliver speech therapy services for a range of communication needs across the age spectrum.
Additionally, a recent open‑access article exploring telehealth in the assessment and treatment of paediatric speech and language disorders found that clinicians view online delivery as effective and beneficial, including increased access and improved outcomes when implemented thoughtfully.
Finally, broader reviews of telehealth in speech pathology highlight that there’s a growing body of evidence supporting telehealth as a clinically effective option, with comparable outcomes to traditional in‑person services.
Here’s why telehealth works so well and why it might be a great option for your family.
Kids Often Engage Really Well with Screens
Many children focus surprisingly well on a screen, especially when sessions are interactive. Therapy isn’t just sitting and talking — we use games, short activities, and playful tasks to keep your child engaged. Sometimes these are games on a tablet or computer, and other times we use toys or activities you already have at home.
Convenience Makes Consistency Easier
Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in helping children make progress. Telehealth removes the stress of travel, long commutes, or rearranging schedules, making it much easier for families to attend sessions consistently.
Learning in a Familiar Environment
When therapy happens at home, children are already in a place where they feel comfortable and confident. This can help them try new speech sounds without feeling self-conscious, and supports generalising skills into everyday situations — like talking to family members, teachers, or friends.
Flexibility Keeps Children Focused
No two children are the same, so sessions are tailored to your child’s attention span and interests. I often incorporate:
- Movement breaks or physical activities to support focus
- Hands-on games alongside speech practice
- Interactive, playful approaches that make learning fun
Why Telehealth Can Be Just as Effective
Research shows there’s no significant difference in outcomes between telehealth and in-person therapy for children with speech sound disorders. What matters most is the quality of the therapy, consistency, and active participation — not the mode of delivery.
In short, telehealth is a flexible, evidence-based option that allows your child to receive high-quality speech therapy without the stress of travel. It’s convenient for families, engaging for children, and can be just as effective as face-to-face sessions.
If you’d like to have a chat about your child and whether online therapy might work for them, please head over to the Contact page and we can make a time to talk over the phone, or
