Using Speech Therapy Telepractice to Improve Treatment of Students with Communication Disorders

This project creates a service allowing speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to provide effective therapy services remotely via “telepractice,” using a web platform combining video conferencing technology with integrated therapy curriculum and practice management tools. Phase 1 evaluates whether schools may be able to improve their SLP services with telepractice by increasing therapy intensity, that is, concentration and amount of treatment. Researchers have suggested that language intervention in school SLP programs should be more intensive. However, increased intensity is challenging to implement in a traditional in-person therapy model. Telepractice removes many of the practical obstacles to implementation. This study compares progress between students who receive a 5-week concentrated schedule of treatment via telepractice to students who receive a 12-week schedule of in-person therapy.