Teletherapy, AAC & COVID-19: the experiences of speech language pathologists providing teletherapy during a global pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic required many speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to transition to teletherapy service delivery. This study was designed to explore the experiences and perceptions of SLPs who made this transition with children with disabilities who used aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually with 10 SLPs who provided regular teletherapy services to children who used AAC during but not before the pandemic. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically using immersion, reduction, and constant comparison to understand SLP experiences and perceptions individually and across the group. Results reveal that despite the challenges faced transitioning to teletherapy, there were benefits. Furthermore, many of the participating SLPs developed successful strategies and solutions for the challenges they faced. Participants in this study highlighted the unique and important role that caregivers and parents played in the success of the teletherapy they provided. This study suggests that SLPs, caregivers, and children demonstrated resilience in the face of a large-scale, unforeseen change. SLPs consistently reported the ability to maintain continuity of care during a stressful transition period, while meeting the unique needs of the children who used AAC they served.