188. Does Telepractice for Speech Sound Disorders Work?

The Preschool SLP

Is telepractice just as effective as in-person therapy for treating speech sound disorders? In this episode, we take a realistic, research-driven look at what the evidence really says about speech telepractice—and what factors determine whether it works.

You’ll discover:

• The exact client profiles that are NOT a good fit for telepractice.
• The active ingredients that make telepractice sessions as effective as in-person therapy.
• Why dose isn’t just about reps—and how complex targets create massive gains.
• Brand-new research on final clusters and how to apply it in therapy.
• The key role of caregivers as co-therapists in virtual sessions.

If you’re a school-based SLP, private practitioner, or just considering telepractice, this episode will help you deliver high-impact, evidence-based therapy online—while avoiding the pitfalls.

💛 Get ready-to-go therapy plans every week inside the SIS Membership:
https://www.kellyvess.com/sis
You’ll get theme-based movement activities, literacy-rich speech therapy materials, and a home-to-school 'Google Slides Deck' bridge that’s ready for immediate use.

Potapova, I., John, A., Pruitt-Lord, S., & Barlow, J. (2025). Extending complexity to word-final position via telepractice: Intervention effects for English-speaking children with speech sound disorder. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 56(1), 42–57. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_lshss-24-00020