Speech Telepractice: Installing a Speech Therapy Upgrade for the 21st Century

Michael P Towey

doi:10.5195/ijt.2012.6112

Abstract

Much of speech therapy involves the clinician guiding the therapeutic process (e.g., presenting stimuli and eliciting client responses). However, this Brief Communication describes a different approach to speech therapy delivery. Clinicians at Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) use high definition audio and video to engage clients in telepractice using interactive web-based virtual environments. This technology enables clients and their clinicians to co-create salient treatment activities using authentic materials captured via digital cameras, video and/or curricular materials. Both therapists and clients manipulate the materials and interact online in real-time. The web-based technology engenders highly personalized and engaging activities, such that clients’ interactions with these high interest tasks often continue well beyond the therapy sessions.

Highlights

Much of speech therapy involves the clinician guiding the therapeutic process. This Brief Communication describes a different approach to speech therapy delivery
Clinicians at Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) use high definition audio and video to engage clients in telepractice using interactive web-based virtual environments. This technology enables clients and their clinicians to co-create salient treatment activities using authentic materials captured via digital cameras, video and/or curricular materials
The efficacy of speech therapy delivered via telepractice has been well documented for more than twenty years (ASHA, 2011)

Summary

Abstr act

Much of speech therapy involves the clinician guiding the therapeutic process (e.g., presenting stimuli and eliciting client responses). Clinicians at Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) use high definition audio and video to engage clients in telepractice using interactive web-based virtual environments. This technology enables clients and their clinicians to co-create salient treatment activities using authentic materials captured via digital cameras, video and/or curricular materials. Web-based telepractice for the purpose of this article describes a virtual environment where the clinician and client are connected virtually and interact in real-time through audio and video with authentic images, video, and learning materials.

Making the Case for a New Ther apy Model

1Name changed to protect anonymity

Preliminary results