Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

School-based Telehealth

  • What services (evaluations and therapy) do you offer?
    • Speech language Evaluations for a variety of speech language impairments
    • CELF-5
    • PPVT
  • How do you meet each child’s needs?
    • We have a team of experienced, compassionate clinicians who provide creative best practice therapy interventions. Sessions can be videotaped so parents can view the session at a later time. This allows for greater understanding and carryover of skills by the parents. We offer video consultation sessions with parents to answer any questions, which can be performed while the parents are at home or work. We encourage inter-professional collaboration with the child’s PT, OT, classroom teachers, and social workers.
  • Can severe/profound delayed kids be seen with telehealth?
    • Each child is unique, and presents with their own constellation of strengths and weaknesses. Theoretically, every child can be seen via telehealth because the clinician can adjust the session to the child’s needs. However, we provide a pre-therapy assessment to determine if telepractice will be beneficial for students with complex needs.
  • Can you supervise SLPAs?
    • Per ASHA (2012), SLPA supervision may be provided via telehealth. In essence, telehealth is a face-to-face communication encounter. Telehealth supervision feedback can be provided verbally as well as written, which is considered best practice by ASHA.
  • What does a school department need to know before starting Telehealth?
    • School Departments must have WiFi internet availability or hard-wired direct internet access and a laptop with an integrated video camera or external video camera
    • If laptop availability is an issue, we can provide a laptop at a nominal price
  • How much does it cost compared to a traditional speech language pathologist?
    • Telehealth is a contracted speech-language pathology service, so any associated costs of a Full-time employee (health insurance, pension, etc) are a cost savings. As a contracted SLP, time is spent providing direct service, planning interprofessional collaboration and report writing.
  • Do I need extra staff?
    • No child can be left unsupervised, so providing a para-professional as an “e-helper”  is essential. The SLPA, as allowed by state law,  can be utilized as a teleheath “e-helper. The telehealth SLP will coordinate with each student’s case manager and classroom teachers.
  • What does a family need to know before starting telehealth?
    • Your child will receive the same amount of direct therapy time whether provided in-person or via telehealth. The IEP service page is a legal document that must  be followed regardless of the service delivery model.
  • What equipment/technology is necessary for telehealth to work?
    • A laptop with an internal or external video camera and headphones with microphone.
  • Is Storey Telehealth HIPAA compliant?
    • Yes, we use the videoconferencing software Zoom. The service and security architecture provides end-to-end encryption and meeting access controls so data in transit cannot be intercepted. See here for more details.
  • Who is a candidate for telehealth?
    • Everyone! With the proper equipment and support staff, any speech language assessment or therapy can be administered via telepractice.