Speech-Language Pathology Launches Into Cyberspace:

Speech Therapy Through Telepractice

Frankie Strickland Ed.S, CCC-SLP

LansonHollaway, LLC. www.lansonhollaway.com

Allison Herrin M.Ed., CCC-

SLP

Speech Therapy Through Telepractice Objective

•   To recognize telepractice as a service delivery model applicable to diagnose and treat speech-language disorders for the state of Georgia.

American Speech and Language Hearing Association Position Statement on

Telepractice

•   Telepractice is an appropriate model of service delivery. •   Offers the potential to extend clinical services to remote,

rural, and underserved populations, and to culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

•   Telepractice does not remove any existing responsibilities in delivering services including adherence to the Code of Ethics, Scope of Practice, state and federal laws.

•   Quality of services delivered via telepractice must be consistent with the quality of services delivered face-to-face.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 145,000 members and affiliates who are speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally.

State Licensure Telepractice Provisions

•   Georgia •   Iowa •   Kentucky •   Louisiana

•   North Carolina •   Ohio •   Oklahoma •   Wyoming

Supporting Research

Hill, A., Theodoros, D., Russell, T., Cahill, L., Ward, E., Clark, K. (2006). An Internet-Based Telerehabilitation System for the Assessment of Motor Speech Disorders: A Pilot Study. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Vol. 15, 45-56.

Mashima, P., Birkmire-Peters, D.,Syms, M., Holtel, M., Burgess, L., & Peters, L. (2003). Telehealth: Voice therapy using telecommunications technology. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 12, 432-439.

Perlman, A. L., & Witthawaskul, W. (2002). Real-time remote telefluoroscopic assessment of patients with dysphagia. Dysphagia, 17(2), 162-167.

Waite, M.,Theodoros, D., Russell, T., Cahill, L. (2010). Internet-Based Telehealth Assessment of Language Using the CELF-4. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Vol.41, 445-458.

Settings Appropriate for Telepractice

•   Educational settings

•   Private Practice •   Home Health •   Medical Facilities

•   Clinics •   Health

Departments •   Nursing Homes •   Universities

Clinical and School Based Areas Appropriate for Telepractice

•   Childhood Speech-Language •   Neurogenic •   Voice •   Hearing Impaired

•   Dysphagia •   Fluency

Clinical and School Based Applications

•   Screenings •   Assessments •   MBSS

•   Therapies •   Response to

Intervention •   Consultations

Additional Applications Available

•   Caregiver Education/Support •   Participate in Team Meetings •   Professional Consults •   Facilitator Support

Candidacy Criteria for Telepractice

•   Attention •   Auditory comprehension •   Literacy •   Hearing ability •   Visual ability •   Speech intelligibility •   Behavior •   Physical endurance (e.g.,

sitting tolerance) •   Comfort Level with

technology

•   Manual dexterity (e.g., operate a keyboard)

•   Willingness of patient and family/caregiver to utilize telepractice

•   Cultural/linguistic considerations (e.g., interpreter)

•   Access and availability of resources (e.g.,facilitator, telecommunication network)

Benefits of Telepractice

•   Increased access to Speech-Language Pathologists for students/patients in rural areas

•   Increased motivation/responsiveness of student/patient

•   Increased SLP productivity •   Reduced Temporary SLP Openings (i.e.

maternity leave, short term disability) •   Reduced SLP shortages •   Reduced travel time for patients and SLPs •   Reduced financial strain on patients and

educational systems

Considerations of Telepractice

•   Reduced direct physical contact •   Reduced eye contact between student/patient

and SLP •   Reimbursement of services •   Physical location •   Static location for student/patient •   Sharing of needed materials

Additional Considerations

•   Modifications •   E-helper’s role •   Noise levels •   Privacy •   Familiarity with technology •   Support of implementation

Speech Therapy through Telepractice

Questions

Speech-Language Pathology Launches Into Cyberspace:

Speech Therapy Through Telepractice

Allison Herrin M.Ed., CCC-SLP

allison@lansonhollaway.com

Frankie Strickland Ed.S., CCC-SLP

frankie@lansonhollaway.com