Virtual speech therapy, often called teletherapy or telepractice, means a licensed speech-language pathologist delivers therapy live by video. For many Michigan schools it has gone from a pandemic workaround to a regular part of how speech services are staffed.
Done well, it gives students consistent therapy from a qualified SLP even when a district cannot hire one locally. Done poorly, it becomes a laptop in a hallway and a lot of missed minutes. Here is what separates the two.
Who teletherapy is a good fit for
Districts with an open SLP position. A virtual SLP can pick up the caseload now instead of after a long search.
Online and virtual schools. Students already learn from home, so therapy can happen there too.
Rural or spread-out buildings, where travel eats into therapy time.
Older students who can manage a video session with little support, and many younger students with a parent, learning coach or aide nearby.
Teletherapy is not right for every student. Some need hands-on support, some have attention or sensory needs that make video sessions hard, and some families simply cannot support it at home. ASHA's guidance is clear that schools must offer in-person services when telepractice is not appropriate for a student (ASHA telepractice).
What the rules expect
ASHA's telepractice guidance sets out a few points every IEP team should know:
Same quality. Telepractice "should be of equal quality to in-person services."
Licensure where the student is. The clinician must be licensed in the state where the student is located at the time of service, and in the state they practice from if that is different. For Michigan students, that means a Michigan license, which is issued through LARA.
The school provides the technology. ASHA notes that schools, not caregivers, are responsible for providing equipment and connectivity.
Document it in the IEP. The delivery method should be noted in the IEP.
What a good virtual session looks like
A quality teletherapy program looks a lot like a quality in-person one:
Live sessions, one-on-one or in small groups, built around the student's IEP goals.
Progress monitoring and data your team can actually use.
Reports and paperwork that meet the same standard as on-site services.
Scheduling that fits your bell times, or for online schools, the student's class schedule.
A trained adult nearby for younger students, coached on how to help without taking over.
For the student, the setup is simple: a laptop or tablet with a camera, a reliable internet connection, headphones with a microphone, and a quiet spot.
Virtual, on-site or both?
Many districts land on a mix. Virtual services cover an open position right away, and in-person services go where hands-on support matters most. A hybrid model lets one clinician cover more buildings without adding drive time. We break down the trade-offs in On-site, virtual or hybrid: choosing a school therapy model.
How Anwar House of Therapy delivers teletherapy
Our licensed speech-language pathologists deliver live therapy by video for Michigan public districts, charter schools and online schools, with the same goals, data and IEP paperwork as in person. Because we are a clinic with locations in Ann Arbor and Dearborn, we can also provide on-site and hybrid services from the same team, and evaluations, including Arabic bilingual evaluations.
Frequently asked questions
What does a student need for virtual speech therapy?
A laptop or tablet with a camera, a reliable internet connection, headphones with a microphone, and a quiet spot. For younger students, a parent, learning coach or aide nearby helps.
Is virtual or in-person speech therapy better?
It depends on the student and the goal. Many districts use virtual services to cover an open position right away and in-person services where hands-on support matters.
Does teletherapy count toward IEP minutes?
Services delivered by telepractice should be of equal quality to in-person services, and the delivery method should be noted in the IEP. Your IEP team decides what is appropriate for each student.
Thinking about teletherapy for your district? Learn about our virtual speech therapy for schools or call (734) 224-9121.
