Online Pediatric Speech Therapy
in Washington & Tennessee

Online speech therapy is just as effective as in-person speech therapy. This is because your child will be working with one of our expert Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). We have found that many children enjoy the online format because they get to participate in therapy from the comfort of their own home. Plus, this makes it easier for parents who have busy schedules and families who live far away from our clinics who otherwise wouldn’t be able to get their child the support they need.

Our SLPs are experienced with a range of speech and language challenges, including articulation, self-expression, understanding others, social communication, and much more. We will tailor each video session to your child’s specific needs, strengths, and limitations. Our SLPs use simple activities, exercises, and visuals to keep children engaged with therapy and motivated to practice their new skills.

We work closely with parents to provide guidance on your child’s speech and language development so that you can support them between therapy sessions, too. Together, we can help your child build the skills they need for effective communication.

We work to make online therapy as simple and accessible as possible for families in our community. In order to participate in online speech therapy, you will need:

• A stable internet connection: A high-speed internet connection will ensure each session has smooth video and audio without interruptions. This is important so that your child can get the most out of their online therapy sessions, and so that your therapist can communicate with you and your child easily.

• A device with a camera and microphone: A laptop, desktop computer, or tablet with a built-in or external camera and microphone is necessary for online speech therapy. This allows our therapist to see your child’s facial expressions, gestures, and articulation so they can provide real-time feedback.

• A quiet space: Set up a dedicated space for therapy that is free of distractions. It’s important that the space is quiet and comfortable, so your child can concentrate and hear the therapist clearly.

• Headphones (optional): Some families find that using headphones with a built-in microphone helps children focus better and reduces background noise.

Our therapists will guide you through the technology setup process and offer troubleshooting tips if needed to ensure your child is fully prepared for their teletherapy sessions.

Preparing your child for an online speech therapy session takes just a few steps to ensure the experience is both productive and enjoyable.

Before the session time, make sure you have a quiet space where your child can focus. Then make sure all the technology is ready. Check that your internet connection is stable, and make sure the device you’re using—your laptop, tablet, or desktop computer—is charged or turned on. You should also test the camera and microphone a few minutes before the session begins to prevent any last-minute technical issues.

If it’s your child’s first online speech therapy session, you can help them feel more comfortable by explaining what is about to happen. You can tell them that they will be talking to their therapist through the screen, just like a video call with family members.

If your child is nervous, reassure them that the therapist will make the session fun and that it’s a time for them to learn new things and practice talking. You can also reassure them that you will be right there with them or nearby while they’re attending their session.

Our Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are skilled at keeping young children engaged during online speech therapy sessions. Working with preschoolers through a video call requires creativity, energy, and flexibility, and we have that in spades!

Some of the ways we can keep your preschooler engaged during their online therapy session include:

• Short, focused activities: Online speech therapy isn’t like a typical video call you may have to do for work, where you have to sit still and pay attention for long periods of time. Preschoolers have shorter attention spans, so we break up activities into small segments. This keeps the session dynamic and prevents boredom or frustration.

• Interactive movement: We understand that young children need to move! Your child’s SLP may encourage them to jump, clap, or act out parts of the therapy tasks to make the session more interactive and physically engaging. Our therapists also adjust the pace based on your child's engagement level.

• Using toys from home: To make the session feel more personal, we may ask parents to provide familiar toys or objects for your child to use during the session. This helps your child feel more comfortable and engaged in their treatment.

There are several signs to watch out for that can indicate whether your child may need speech therapy. However, please note that there is no specific distinction between needing online speech therapy or in-person speech therapy, as these are the same exact treatments delivered in different formats.

Here are some of the most common signs that your child can benefit from pediatric speech therapy with our expert Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs):

• Delayed speech milestones: If your child isn’t reaching typical speech and language milestones for their age, such as saying their first words by 18 months or forming simple sentences by age 2, we recommend you schedule an evaluation with our SLPs.

• Difficulty pronouncing words: Your child can benefit from speech therapy if they have trouble articulating certain sounds. Another sign of this is if people outside of your household, such as extended family or your child’s teachers, tell you that they have a hard time understanding what your child is saying.

• Frustration when communicating: If your child often becomes frustrated or avoids talking because they can’t easily share their ideas, speech therapy can help them gain confidence and improve their communication skills.

• Challenges following directions or understanding language: If your child struggles to understand instructions, questions, stories, or even follow conversations, speech therapy can help.

Your child’s progress during their online speech therapy sessions will be monitored through observation and ongoing communication with you as the parent. At the start of therapy, we set specific goals for your child based on their unique needs. These goals guide our sessions and give us clear benchmarks to track.

During each session, our speech-language pathologist (SLP) will observe how your child responds to the activities and tasks we’re working on—whether that’s improving speech sounds, understanding language, or strengthening social communication skills. They may also take notes to track your child’s progress over time. The great thing about online therapy is that even though we're working remotely, our team can still use a variety of tools and techniques to keep things engaging and track improvements just like we would in person.

Your feedback also plays an important role in monitoring progress. You might notice changes in how your child communicates at home, during play, or in other environments, and those insights are incredibly valuable. Your child’s SLP will check in regularly to see how things are going outside of sessions and adjust the therapy plan if needed. Plus, we’ll provide regular updates so you can see how far your child has come and what we’re working toward next.

Both online and in-person pediatric speech therapy have similar goals, techniques, and overall effectiveness. The main difference is simply how the therapy is delivered. In-person sessions take place in our clinic where our Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and your child are in the same room. Online therapy, on the other hand, happens through a video call, where our SLP works with your child remotely.

Despite this difference in format, online therapy can still be very interactive and engaging. Many speech and language activities are adapted for the digital setting, and a lot of the skills we work on can be easily done over a video call. Sometimes during speech therapy, our SLPs would need to adjust your child’s positioning or give them tactile (touch) cues to help them work on a specific skill. We handle this in online speech therapy by getting parents involved to help with these types of activities.

Both formats are very effective at helping children build their speech and language skills. The choice between online and in-person therapy will depends on your child's specific needs and what works best for your family’s routine.

Absolutely! Parents can, and often should, be involved in online speech therapy sessions. In fact, your involvement can make a big difference in how effective the therapy is for your child. During your child’s sessions, their Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) may even ask for your help with certain activities, especially if your child is younger.

Being involved also allows you to ask questions in real time and gain a deeper understanding of your child’s goals. Our SLP might give you tips you can use at home to reinforce what your child is working on in therapy, such as particular speech sounds or language skills. It also helps your child to see that this is a group activity, which can keep them more engaged and motivate them to continue practicing their new skills.

And your involvement is valuable because you know your child best. You can give our SLP your insights to help us make sure your child’s therapy plan is not only tailored to their needs, but also fun and personalized to their interests. Ultimately, when you participate in your child’s online speech therapy sessions, you can help your child make more progress and learn how to help them at home.

A typical online pediatric speech therapy session with our team lasts around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your child’s needs and attention span. We find that this amount of time allows for focused and productive therapy without overwhelming your child. Each session is designed to be interactive and engaging, with a mix of activities to keep your child motivated while working on their speech and language goals.

During each session, your child’s speech-language pathologist (SLP) will work on targeted exercises and other activities to address your child’s specific needs, such as articulation, language development, or social communication. We also may take regular breaks if needed to ensure your child stays focused and positive throughout the session.

For younger children or those with shorter attention spans, we may break the session into smaller, more manageable chunks to make sure they stay engaged. At the end of the session, we’ll often provide feedback to you and discuss any home practice activities that can reinforce what your child worked on. Our goal is to make the most of every minute while ensuring a positive and supportive learning environment!

Online speech therapy is often covered by insurance. This is because many major insurance providers now recognize the value of teletherapy and cover online sessions just as they would in-person therapy. However, this does depend on your specific insurance provider and the plan you have.

At Fluens, we accept most major insurance plans and are happy to bill any PPO insurance plan as an out-of-network provider. If your plan does not cover teletherapy, or if you do not have insurance, we can also work with you to create a private pay package that suits your family's needs.

Before starting therapy, we always recommend checking with your insurance provider to understand your coverage. Our team can help guide you through this process and provide any necessary documentation, such as codes or referral letters, that your insurance might require.

If you have any concerns about your coverage, or if your plan has specific limitations, we’re here to work with you to find the best solution for your family. We want to ensure that your child gets the support they need without unnecessary stress over financial logistics.