Leanne Sherred, M.S., CCC-SLP
At Expressable, we know that finding the right speech therapy for yourself or a loved one is an important decision. A common question we hear is, “How does online speech therapy work, and is it as effective as in-person sessions?”
Telehealth has grown rapidly across the United States, and speech therapy is no exception. Every day, more families and individuals are choosing online speech therapy for its convenience, accessibility, and effectiveness. But how exactly does online speech therapy work? What speech and language challenges can be treated online?
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, including how online speech therapy works, the benefits compared to traditional in-person speech therapy, and how to decide if teletherapy is right for you or your child.
Speech therapy overview
2What does speech therapy treat?
4What do speech therapists do?
5Who needs online speech therapy?
6How long does speech therapy last?
7Where is speech therapy offered (including online options)?
8Is my child too young to start speech therapy?
9Does speech therapy work for adults?
10How much does speech therapy typically cost?
11Does insurance cover speech therapy?
Online speech therapy with Expressable
1What is Expressable online speech therapy?
2What are the benefits of online speech therapy?
3What speech therapy services can be delivered online?
4Is online speech therapy as effective as traditional therapy?
5How online speech therapy works for toddlers and young children
6What does online speech therapy look like?
7What do I need to get started with online speech therapy?
9How much does Expressable cost?
What is speech therapy?
Speech therapy helps children and adults improve their communication skills. Speech therapy is also used to treat problems related to voice quality as well as oral, swallowing, and feeding issues.
Speech therapy intervention focuses on improving:
Speech patterns: Coordinating mouth movements to produce sounds, words, and sentences correctly
Language skills: Understanding and expressing both verbal and nonverbal language
Cognitive-communication skills: Strengthening memory, attention, and problem-solving for better communication.
Speech therapy can be delivered in-person or online, with online speech therapy offering flexible and effective treatment options from home.
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Speech therapy involves evaluating, diagnosing, and treating a range of communication and swallowing problems. These include:
Speech disorders:
Speech sound disorders (including both articulation and phonological issues)
Language disorders:
Fluency and voice disorders:
Voice disorders
Speech therapy supports autistic individuals in developing language, social communication, and self-advocacy skills.
Speech therapy is also recommended for non-clinical issues like public speaking and accent modification.
What is a speech therapist?
A speech-language pathologist (SLP), or speech therapist, is a communication expert trained to assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders.
To become a certified speech therapist, professionals must:
Earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology
Complete a supervised clinical fellowship
Pass a national certification exam
Obtain state licensure and certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Speech therapists work in schools, hospitals, private practices, and online settings, making speech therapy more accessible than ever.
What do speech therapists do?
Your speech therapist will evaluate your needs and create a personalized treatment plan based on your goals. Speech therapy can be:
One-on-one therapy: Individualized attention for targeted progress.
Group therapy: Learning communication strategies with peers.
Online speech therapy: Convenient, evidence-based treatment from home.
Speech therapists use a variety of strategies and techniques during therapy sessions. Some of these include:
For children: Speech therapists use play-based techniques, books, and interactive activities to build vocabulary, grammar, and early literacy skills.
For adults: Therapy focuses on verbal and nonverbal communication skills to improve personal and professional interactions.
Targets correct sound production, such as teaching a child to correctly pronounce the /r/ sound–for example, saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit.”
Helps adults correct speech errors that persist from childhood or develop after illness/injury.
Oral-motor, feeding, and swallowing therapy:
Strengthens oral muscles for safe swallowing.
Introduces texture modifications and feeding strategies to support nutrition.
Who needs online speech therapy?
Speech therapy is appropriate for all ages, from babies to children, teens, and adults.
For children, speech therapy is most commonly recommended for those struggling to reach communication milestones appropriate for their age. Early intervention is key. In fact, research shows that starting speech therapy early can lead to better long-term outcomes in communication, literacy, and social skills. Speech therapy can help children improve their overall communication skills, including their ability to clearly articulate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas (expressive language) and their ability to process and comprehend language (receptive language).
For adults, speech therapy can improve lingering communication issues that developed in childhood and were never properly treated, such as stuttering or articulation errors. Speech problems can also develop in adulthood due to illness or injury, such as a stroke or a neurological condition like Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or ALS. Many adults also seek treatment for nonclinical communication challenges, such as professional speaking, confidence building, or accent modification.
Many families choose online speech therapy because it offers flexibility and convenience while delivering evidence-based treatment.
Get matched with a speech therapist who's right for you
Get started nowHow long does speech therapy last?
The duration of speech therapy depends on a variety of factors, including:
The type of speech disorder or communication challenge
The frequency of speech therapy sessions each week/month
Age
Underlying medical condition
While some speech and language issues may improve within a few months, others can persist into adulthood and require long-term therapy and maintenance. For instance, children with articulation disorders may see progress within a few months, whereas children with severe apraxia of speech may require structured therapy over several years.
Speech therapists use data-driven methods to track progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Where is speech therapy offered (including online options)?
Speech therapy can be delivered in a variety of settings, including:
Private speech therapy clinics
Schools
Hospitals
Skilled nursing facilities
In-home therapy
Online speech therapy using secure video conferencing
Choosing the right option depends on your clinical needs, personal preferences, and schedule.
How does online speech therapy work?
With virtual speech therapy, clients meet with their speech therapist through secure video conferencing, using interactive exercises and digital resources. Studies show that online speech therapy is as effective as in-person treatment for many speech and language disorders.
Is my child too young to start speech therapy?
Speech and language skills begin developing in infancy. Building strong language skills in young children, particularly babies, can set the foundation for strong communication and literacy skills once they enter school.
Speech therapy is important for children who are not reaching age-appropriate communication milestones, or who have communication difficulties such as stuttering or mispronunciations due to a lisp. Because speech and language patterns become more ingrained and habitual over time, the earlier that speech errors can be corrected, the better outcomes children are likely to have.
Parents often wonder how online speech therapy works for toddlers. Virtual speech therapy, combined with parent coaching, can be highly engaging and effective for young children.
Does speech therapy work for adults?
Absolutely! In fact, it’s never too late to start speech therapy. Adults commonly receive speech therapy to:
Overcome communication obstacles that began in childhood and were never properly treated (such as a stutter or articulation issue)
Treat speech and language issues that developed due to illness or injury, such as after a stroke or as a result of Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or ALS
Improve communication skills due to a clinical diagnosis, including aphasia, acquired apraxia of speech, dysarthria, and other cognitive conditions
Modify the pitch, intonation, and quality of your voice
Improve confidence and increase communication skills vital to your professional development, such as communicating with coworkers and interviewing
Reduce accents that are regional or based on your country of origin
Reduce the fear of public speaking and help you excel at presenting in a group setting
Neuroplasticity allows adults to make significant speech and language improvements with targeted therapy.
Online speech therapy is an excellent option for adults who want to improve communication skills from the comfort of home.
How much does speech therapy typically cost?
This is one of the most common questions for people considering speech therapy. Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer. Like all types of health-related services, speech therapy can be expensive, with costs changing depending on factors such as:
Where you live
The professional experience of your speech therapist
How speech therapy is delivered (in-person versus online)
Whether you have insurance coverage
The type of insurance coverage you have
Speech therapy generally costs anywhere from $100 to $250 a session. Some speech therapy providers also charge additional costs, like a one-time fee for an evaluation (typically a few hundred dollars), or penalties for canceled and rescheduled appointments.
To find exact costs, it’s important to speak with each speech therapy provider that you’re considering and, if you have insurance, find out whether speech therapy is covered.
Does insurance cover speech therapy?
If you have health insurance, check with your provider about coverage for speech therapy.
Unfortunately, speech therapy coverage is often denied for various reasons. Insurance companies are required to provide a written explanation for rejections, which may include:
Treatment is not considered a "medical necessity."
Speech therapy is not a covered service under the policy.
Alternative services are available, such as school-based therapy.
Therapy is deemed educational or developmental rather than medical (common for adults seeking communication improvement).
Many families face ongoing appeals when coverage is denied. Additionally, some insurers may only cover a limited number of sessions (e.g., 6 to 8), which may not be enough for long-term progress.
What is Expressable online speech therapy?
Expressable provides high-quality online speech therapy, similar to traditional in-person therapy but delivered via secure video conferencing. If you’ve used Zoom, FaceTime, or Google Meet, online speech therapy works the same way.
On the other end of your screen is a certified speech-language pathologist who will work with you or your child to improve communication skills.
What are the benefits of online speech therapy?
Technology has reshaped our lives in many ways–including how we search for information, communicate with friends and family, and shop. Increasingly, it’s also changing how we receive health-related services and care.
Here are some of the reasons families love Expressable online speech therapy:
Affordable and cost-effective: Expressable doesn’t have to pay many of the costs that come with running an in-person practice (think rent, overhead, administration costs, certain types of liability insurance, and more). These savings can be passed down to our clients, which, in many cases, makes speech therapy with Expressable dramatically cheaper. Convenience: By connecting with your speech therapist online, you can receive high-quality care from the comfort of your home. This means no more long driving commutes or hours spent sitting in a waiting room. In addition, people often learn best in an environment that’s familiar and comfortable–their homes.
People often learn best in an environment that’s familiar and comfortable–their homes.
Accessibility: People who live in remote or rural areas often struggle with finding quality speech therapy near their homes. This is not only inconvenient, but makes it harder to find a speech therapist specialized in your unique needs. Expressable removes these geographic barriers completely. We have a large team of speech therapists across the country, matching you with a professional who’s experienced and specialized in your area of need.
Scheduling flexibility: Many speech therapy clinics are open during traditional 9-5 business hours. Unfortunately, with school and work schedules, this can be inconvenient, if not impossible to arrange. Expressable online speech therapy offers more flexible hours, including mornings, nights, and weekends, so you can fit speech therapy around your life–not the other way around.
Expressable online speech therapy offers more flexible hours, including mornings, nights, and weekends.
Therapist specialty: Speech therapy covers a broad range of disciplines and diagnoses. A speech therapist who’s specialized in early childhood articulation may not feel comfortable treating a post-stroke survivor with limited cognitive functioning, or a child with autism. With Expressable, you’re not limited to the speech therapists at any one clinic or school setting. You have access to a wide range of speech therapists so you can be matched with the one best suited for your needs.
Parent and caregiver engagement: Children make more progress toward their speech therapy goals when their parent or caregiver is actively involved. This is because the strategies and techniques taught by your speech therapist must be constantly practiced and reinforced at home.
Building a strong relationship with your speech therapist can be especially hard in a school-based setting. One speech therapist may be assigned to multiple students, and parents rarely get a chance to connect with their child’s therapist. With Expressable, you can sit alongside your child or loved one during their therapy sessions so you can more easily and actively participate in their care.
What speech therapy services can be delivered online?
Most speech and language disorders can be effectively treated through teletherapy. Online speech therapy covers a wide range of services, including:
Articulation disorders (difficulty pronouncing sounds)
Language delays (late talkers, difficulty understanding or using language)
Stuttering therapy
Post-stroke speech and language rehabilitation
Voice therapy for conditions like vocal nodules and presbyphonia
Cognitive-communication therapy for brain injuries
Some feeding and swallowing difficulties
One landmark study that compared progress and satisfaction of children receiving in-person versus online speech therapy was conducted by Kent State University. Researchers used standardized tests to measure outcomes, and found that students in both study groups made considerable advancement toward their goals. However, based on surveys, researchers noted that both students and parents overwhelmingly preferred the online delivery method because of its convenience.
Both students and parents overwhelmingly preferred the online delivery method because of its convenience.
With that said, there is a small group of conditions that may be better suited to a more interactive, hands-on approach. Examples include certain swallowing and feeding issues, as well as tracheotomy management. These individuals often need high levels of tactile cues or sensory input. For some clients, a family and caregiver coaching approach can be highly beneficial within an online model. In other cases, in-person sessions may be more appropriate.
At the end of the day, nothing is a perfect fit for everybody. We each have our own unique learning styles, preferences, and comfort levels. However, online speech therapy is an appropriate and effective delivery model for most communication disorders, and most people who try online speech therapy love it.
How online speech therapy works for toddlers and young children
Many young children thrive in online speech therapy! Interactive activities, digital games, and engaging exercises keep children motivated and focused during sessions. In addition, Expressable emphasizes caregiver involvement, ensuring parents learn techniques that can be applied at home for continuous language development. Research has shown that the more a parent is involved in speech therapy, the more quickly their child makes progress.
Expressable clients have experienced this for themselves. As one parent noted: “[Our SLP] is patient and perceptive. She notices the gains in my son’s language acquisition skills and teaches me to incorporate skill-building in our everyday routines to foster his growth and development at exactly the level he is learning. Her expertise is a blessing to us!”
What does online speech therapy look like?
Online speech therapy sessions are tailored to the individual’s age and communication needs.
Ages 0-3: For infants and toddlers, our therapists work directly with caregivers to help them reinforce learning and best practices at home. This is because speech and language-building skills happen throughout a child’s daily life, from playtime to dinner prep to bedtime rituals. Your speech therapist will arm you with education, tools, cues, and at-home strategies so you can practice communication skills throughout your child’s everyday life. While children are encouraged to sit alongside their caregivers during online therapy sessions, it’s not necessary for this age group.
Ages 3-6: At this age, children are more independent and can benefit from instruction delivered in the speech therapy sessions. In many cases, children attend the video sessions alongside their caregivers so they can both learn valuable skills directly from the speech therapist. For children who have trouble focusing with online learning, speech therapists will continue to work with caregivers so lessons can more easily be incorporated at home.
Ages 7 and up: While many older children attend sessions independently, caregivers are more than welcome to join. In addition, parents are kept in the loop with updates and tips. They also have direct access to their speech therapist via secure texting so questions can be answered anytime.
Adults: One of the biggest advantages of online speech therapy for adults is the ability to schedule therapy sessions around your busy work and family life. Adults are more than welcome to attend sessions independently, or bring along a spouse, family member, or caregiver.
Is online speech therapy as effective as traditional therapy?
Many studies have compared the effectiveness and outcomes of speech therapy delivered online versus conventional, in-person settings. Many of these prominent studies, including those conducted at Kent State University and by the Ohio Department of Public Education, found that children made similar progress toward their communication goals regardless of how speech therapy was delivered. Each study used GFTA-2 scores (Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation) to measure progress, which is one of the most popular and credible tests used to assess speech articulation in children and adults. Take a look at this article to learn more about these studies, as well as research focused on adults in speech therapy.
Based on a strong body of evidence, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the credentialing association for speech-language pathologists, recognized online speech therapy in 2005 as a valid means of therapy delivery.
What do I need to get started with online speech therapy?
All you need to get started with Expressable online speech therapy is an internet connection and a computer or tablet, such as an iPad. While you can use your smartphone if necessary, it’s generally better to use a larger screen.
At Expressable, we take your privacy and confidentiality seriously. All the technology we use, including our secure video and text messaging platforms, is HIPAA compliant. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that helps protect and safeguard your sensitive information, with regulations on the use of safe and compliant technology.
How does Expressable work?
Getting started with Expressable online speech therapy involves a few simple steps:
1 Have a consultation
It begins with a free, 15-minute phone consultation from one of our certified speech therapists. Simply fill out a few questions and choose a time you’d like to be contacted. During this consultation, an Expressable speech therapist will work to better understand your needs and communication goals, and determine if Expressable is a good fit. No credit cards or commitments are required, and we promise never to spam you with calls and emails.
2 Get matched with a speech therapist
If you choose to move forward with Expressable, we’ll pair you with a speech therapist that’s experienced in your area of need. As mentioned, speech therapy covers a broad scope of services and specialties, so it’s important to be matched with a professional best suited to help. We’ll also ask for more detailed intake information to prepare your speech therapist with the knowledge they need to deliver effective care.
3 Participate in an evaluation
Your first step will be a comprehensive evaluation to assess your communication strengths, deficits, and goals. Learn what to expect in the evaluation process for children and adults.
4 Choose session times and frequency
Based on your communication needs and goals, your speech therapist will recommend a session frequency, which is often two sessions per week. While some individuals need a more intensive therapy schedule, others may only need speech therapy a few times a month to correct minor issues or maintain progress. However, the frequency of speech therapy sessions is ultimately up to you, and should take into account your personal goals, budget, and availability.
5 Begin therapy
We’ll send you a secure link to attend your speech therapy sessions at the time you’ve selected. Simply click the link and you’ll be instantly connected to your speech therapist. You and your speech therapist can also communicate directly via our secure texting platform, so you can ask questions anytime or easily reschedule an appointment.
How much does Expressable cost?
At Expressable, our mission is to make speech therapy affordable, convenient, and accessible for everyone. As an online speech therapy provider, Expressable saves many of the costs typically associated with running a physical practice. This allows us to pass these cost savings down to you.
We offer two convenient pricing options: Pay individually for each of your completed speech therapy sessions, or use your insurance benefits. There are no surprises or hidden fees, and you’re free to cancel anytime.
You'll find our pricing explained here.
Regardless of your payment model, each session includes home practice ideas and activities, as well as unlimited texting with your speech therapist.
Ready to get started?
Online speech therapy is transforming the way individuals access high-quality care. Whether for a child, teen, or adult, Expressable’s convenient, effective, and research-backed approach ensures lasting speech and language improvements.
Take the first step today! Schedule a free consultation with one of our specialists and see how online speech therapy can help you or your loved one.
