A Pilot Exploration of Speech Sound Disorder Intervention Delivered by Telehealth to School–Age Children

This article describes a school-based telehealth service delivery model and reports outcomes made by school-age students with speech sound disorders in a rural Ohio school district. Speech therapy using computer-based speech sound intervention materials was provided either by live interactive videoconferencing (telehealth), or conventional side-by-side intervention. Progress was measured using pre- and post-intervention scores on the Goldman Fristoe Test of Articulation-2 (Goldman & Fristoe, 2002). Students in both service delivery models made significant improvements in speech sound production, with students in the telehealth condition demonstrating greater mastery of their Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals. Live interactive videoconferencing thus appears to be a viable method for delivering intervention for speech sound disorders to children in a rural, public school setting.

[1]  A. Packman,et al.  A phase II trial of telehealth delivery of the Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention. , 2008, American journal of speech-language pathology.

[2]  J. Gierut,et al.  Treatment efficacy: functional phonological disorders in children. , 1998, Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR.

[3]  L. Justice,et al.  Evidence-Based Practice in Schools: Integrating Craft and Theory with Science and Data , 2004 .

[4]  Trevor G Russell,et al.  A pilot study of online assessment of childhood speech disorders , 2006 .

[5]  Robin L. Alvares,et al.  A pilot study comparing the effectiveness of speech language therapy provided by telemedicine with conventional on-site therapy , 2010, Journal of telemedicine and telecare.

[6]  Blaine R. Worthen,et al.  Can Integrated Instructional Technology Transform the Classroom , 1995 .

[7]  Richard A. McGuire.  Computer-Based Instrumentation: Issues in Clinical Applications. , 1995 .

[8]  L. Shriberg,et al.  Tabletop versus microcomputer-assisted speech management: response evocation phase. , 1990, The Journal of speech and hearing disorders.

[9]  Wayne A. Secord,et al.  Assessment and remediation of articulatory and phonological disorders , 1990 .

[10]  Carol Polovoy.  Telepractice in Schools Helps Address Personnel Shortages , 2008 .

[11]  Edwin P. Christmann,et al.  A Meta-Analytic Comparison of the Effects of Computer-Assisted Instruction on Elementary Students' , 2003 .

[12]  D. Ruscello,et al.  Cooperative Service Delivery Between a University Clinic and a School System , 1995 .

[13]  D. Sherman,et al.  Review of Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation. , 1970 .

[14]  P. Forducey.  Speech Telepractice Program Expands Options for Rural Oklahoma Schools , 2006 .

[15]  L D Shriberg,et al.  Tabletop versus microcomputer-assisted speech management: stabilization phase. , 1989, The Journal of speech and hearing disorders.

[16]  D. Theodoros,et al.  Internet-based telehealth assessment of language using the CELF-4. , 2010, Language, speech, and hearing services in schools.