Can AI help my child’s speech delay? What it can do and what it can’t

ByLondon Speech and Feeding

If you’re worried about your child’s speech, you are absolutely not alone. Many parents I work with tell me the same thing:

‘I’ve been Googling…’
‘I asked ChatGPT what activities to try…’
‘TikTok said we should practise this sound every day…’

It makes complete sense. When waiting lists are long, evenings are quiet, and your child is struggling to communicate, it’s natural to look for help wherever you can find it.

AI tools can actually be helpful in some ways. But they also have clear limits especially for children with significant speech delays or speech sound disorders.

Here’s an honest, balanced guide to what AI can do, and what it simply can’t.

✔️ What AI can help with

1. Explaining things in simple language

AI can be very helpful for explaining speech and language terms in a way that’s easy for parents to understand for example, what a phonological delay is, or what Childhood Apraxia of Speech means. It can also suggest possible reasons for a child’s speech delay based on the information you provide.

The difficulty is that parents (or teachers) can only ask questions based on what they notice or perceive to be the problem. In practice, this doesn’t always tell the full story. For example, parents often report that their child ‘can say certain words’, but during an assessment we may find those words are actually produced with consistent error patterns. These patterns give important clues about the underlying nature of the difficulty, whether it’s a delay or a disorder and they guide the speech therapist in choosing the most effective targets to improve intelligibility.

2. Suggesting games and activities

AI is very good at suggesting ideas for games and practice, such as word lists, simple play activities, sound practice games, book suggestions, and ways to encourage talking within everyday routines. These can be especially helpful when you feel stuck or want some fresh inspiration for supporting your child at home. It can help to think of AI as a big ideas bank, somewhere to dip into when you need new, playful ways to keep practice engaging.

3. Helping you prepare questions for a therapist

Some parents use AI to list questions before an assessment, understand reports and organise concerns.

This can make therapy feel less overwhelming and more collaborative.

Used this way, AI can actually support the therapy process.

❌ Where and why AI cannot replace real life speech therapy

There is substantial research supporting the effectiveness of real-life speech therapy compared to generic online resources or AI-generated suggestions. Here are some key points highlighting why in-person therapy is often more beneficial:

  • Personalisation: Speech therapists assess each child’s unique needs, strengths, and challenges through direct observation and interaction. This personalised approach allows for tailored interventions that address specific issues, which generic resources cannot provide.
  • Nuanced understanding: Therapists are trained to recognise subtle cues in speech production, including the nuances of sound articulation, language comprehension, and social communication. This expertise enables us to identify underlying issues that may not be apparent through generic assessments.
  • Motivational support: A speech therapist can provide encouragement, motivation, and emotional support, which can significantly enhance a child’s willingness to participate and engage in therapy. This relational aspect is crucial for building confidence and reducing anxiety around communication.
  • Evidence-based practices: As a highly trained and specialised speech therapist I utilise evidence-based practices that are grounded in research, ensuring that the techniques used are effective and up to date. This contrasts with generic online information, which may not always be reliable or validated.
  • Progress monitoring: In-person therapy allows for ongoing assessment and adjustments to the treatment plan. We track progress over time and modify strategies as needed, ensuring that the therapy remains effective and relevant.

Research studies consistently show that individualised, face-to-face interventions lead to better outcomes in speech therapy than generalised approaches. For parents and caregivers, seeking professional help tends to provide a more effective path toward improving their child’s communication skills.

The healthiest way to think about AI

AI works best as a starting point, not a substitute. You might use it to understand your child’s report and learn how speech develops,

But if your child has significant delay or difficulty being understood, what makes the real difference is:

  • A tailored assessment
  • A clear therapy plan
  • Expert target selection
  • Ongoing adjustment
  • Support for both child and you the parent!

Dear parents,

If you’ve been turning to AI for help, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means you care!

But please know the best outcomes usually come from combining your daily support at home with guidance and support from your speech therapist who knows you and your child.

Many of my past and present clients tell me that they really value my ‘handholding’ and me guiding them in between the sessions. A quick check in is often all that is needed but it makes a huge difference!

If you’d like support or advice, please contact me and I can help guide the next steps.

Sonja McGeachie

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Owner of The London Speech and Feeding Practice.

Health Professions Council registered
Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists Member
Member of ASLTIP

Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.

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  • · ·

    Strategies to support children with eating difficulties

    ByLondon Speech and Feeding

    where the cause is NOT a swallowing problem, but we are having a “fussy eater” in the family, seeming for no obvious reason

    When parents have a child who find mealtimes or eating difficult, it can put pressure on the whole family dynamics. Once we have observed a child’s eating and drinking skills and found that they are not swallowing impaired, but are for want of a better word “fussy” or “picky”, we can then start to look at what might be underpinning the food aversions/picky eating/food avoidance. Two of the main questions parents have (of course) are:

    • ‘is my child getting the right nutrition?’
    • ‘how can I have less anxiety-provoking and stressful mealtimes?’

    We all tend to have an image in our minds about the ‘perfect mealtime’, and how mealtimes ‘should’ be. Speech and Language Therapists with a Feeding Specialism are the perfect professionals to help you unpick feeding issues. We are trained to look at swallowing and oral skills and we also know a lot about feeding behaviours and sensory difficulties which could be causing your child’s eating avoidance.

    Here are some strategies that can support children with their eating:

    1. Create and maintain a mealtime culture that suits your home and lifestyle. Then stick to that. We all need some routine in our lives to thrive. Mealtimes are no different. It might be that you eat in the same place for every meal, with the same knives and forks, concentrating on maintaining good posture. Children learn by repetition so the more familiar it is, the easier they will find it. In the physical sense, our bodies also need preparing for food, regardless of whether we are eating with our mouths or we are tube-fed. We want every child to connect all the dots of the process. It starts with their eyes, noses, expectations, memories of past experiences, feelings and then finally their mouths….
    2. Be an excellent role model. Children learn through watching others, so your child will be observing you without you knowing. Ensure that you are positive about the food you are all eating, and talk about how delicious, tasty, juicy, and yummy the foods are. Make the atmosphere around the dinner table light hearted. Even though you are secretly stressed about your child not eating, try and not show this. Instead pick a topic or put on some nice music, or talk about something your child might be interested in, and try and avoid coercing your child to eat. Leave small finger foods on their plates and have a range of foods available on the table so that your child can see that everyone is eating a range of foods and enjoying them.
    3. Use positive reinforcement. Try and think of mealtimes as fun and motivating. Children who are happy will likely be more inclined to try foods and take part in family mealtimes. Reward all interactions around food, so if your child merely touches a new food then praise this behaviour. Or if your child licks a food just once, again make a nice comment and praise your child for touching and licking the food. The takeaway here is to try and keep all messages positive around food.
    4. Keep offering all types of food. What often happens is that parents stop serving foods they know will not be eaten. This makes sense in a way; we don’t want wastage! However, try and keep the doors open and re-offer all types of foods, even the ones that your child has not wanted in the past. Try and give your child one food they will like and one food they have tasted before and liked before, even a little, and then one new food to try. So, your child always has something to fall back on and they can join in with eating. But they can also try (or at least look at and think about trying) other foods that you and perhaps the siblings are eating.

    Take a look at this website, I find it very helpful in showing parents what types of foods and how big a portion to offer

    Have a go and try and implement some of the ideas above, and should you get stuck please get in touch!

    Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.

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  • Tongue-Tie: A complex issue requiring careful assessment

    ByLondon Speech and Feeding

    Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition where the lingual frenulum, the thin piece of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too short or tight. Tongue-tie is quite common in babies and is often not detected after birth. Tongue-tie can lead to a difficult start with breast feeding as it makes it very difficult for the baby to latch effectively.

    In my clinical experience as a feeding therapist, I have seen many babies who were not able to latch well due to the frenulum being tight. In many cases an experienced feeding speech therapist/lactation consultant can really make a difference and help a new mum to latch the baby even though the tongue is tethered to the floor of the baby’s mouth. In some cases the frenulum can be divided and once this has been done, in some cases, feeding improves immediately or soon after the division. But this is not always the case. I have seen several babies who have had as many as four tongue-tie divisions and feeding was still difficult.

    It is important to say that while tongue-tie can sometimes impact speech and feeding, it’s important to note that it’s not always the root cause of these difficulties. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in tongue-tie division surgeries, with some cases being unnecessary. It’s crucial to understand the complexities of tongue-tie and the role of speech therapy in addressing related challenges.

    The impact of tongue-tie on speech and feeding

    When tongue-tie is severe, it can interfere with the tongue’s ability to move freely, affecting speech production and swallowing. Some common speech and feeding difficulties associated with tongue-tie include:

    • Feeding difficulties: Challenges with sucking, chewing, and swallowing.
    • Drooling: Excessive drooling due to difficulty controlling saliva.
    • Speech problems: Difficulty producing certain sounds, such as /l/, /r/, /t/, /s/ and /d/.

    The importance of comprehensive assessment

    Before considering any surgical intervention for tongue-tie, it’s essential to undergo a thorough evaluation by a qualified speech-language therapist (SLT). An SLT can assess the severity of the tongue-tie, its impact on speech and feeding, and determine if surgery is necessary.

    • Functional assessment: The SLT will assess the tongue’s range of motion, its impact on speech sounds, and the child’s overall oral motor skills.
    • Feeding evaluation: The SLT will observe the child’s feeding patterns and identify any difficulties related to tongue-tie.
    • Differential diagnosis: The SLT will rule out other potential causes of speech and feeding difficulties, such as apraxia of speech, dysarthria, or sensory processing disorders.

    The role of speech therapy

    Even in cases where tongue-tie is present, speech therapy can often be highly effective in addressing speech and feeding difficulties. Here’s how speech therapy can help:

    • Articulation therapy: Targeting specific speech sounds that may be affected by tongue-tie.
    • Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS): if the diagnosis by the SLT has shown that in fact the child has motor planning difficulties then there are very specific and effective treatment programmes that help with this and can make a real difference over time.
    • Feeding therapy: Strategies to improve swallowing, chewing, and oral-motor skills.
    • Sensory integration: Addressing underlying sensory processing issues that may contribute to feeding difficulties.

    London Speech and Feeding Case Study: The importance of comprehensive assessment

    One of my clients was initially diagnosed with tongue-tie and recommended for surgery at the age of eight years old. His speech had been perceived by parents and teachers as ‘mumbled and unclear’.

    However, after a thorough evaluation, I was able to determine that the child’s primary issue was apraxia of speech, a neurological disorder that affects motor planning for speech. Parents decided to wait with surgery and trust my judgment and we proceeded with weekly intensive speech therapy to address motor planning difficulties around tricky sounds and words. I am delighted to say that the child’s speech has improved significantly, demonstrating the importance of comprehensive assessment and individualised treatment. He is no longer seen as a candidate for an operation, which would have been traumatic for him at his age and, as it turned out, entirely unnecessary.

    Below is a short video clip of my working on the /l/ sound with this child.

    Using the Gingo Puppet from GingoTalk

    Conclusion

    Tongue-tie is a complex issue that requires careful evaluation and individualised treatment. While surgery may certainly be necessary in some cases, it’s essential to consider the potential benefits and risks. Speech therapy can be a highly effective approach for addressing speech and feeding difficulties associated with tongue-tie, even in cases where surgery is still required. By working with a qualified speech-language therapist, parents can ensure that their child receives the best possible care and support.

    Please feel free to contact me.

    Sonja McGeachie

    Early Intervention Speech and Language Therapist

    Feeding and Dysphagia (Swallowing) Specialist The London Speech and Feeding Practice

    The London Speech and Feeding Practice

    Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.

    1

  • Learn the benefits of Cycles Phonology Approach in Speech Therapy

    ByLondon Speech and Feeding
    A grey, green and orange circle overlaid with Cycles Phonological Approach
    Cycles Phonogogical approach

    When your child attends Speech and Language Therapy, it can look like your child’s therapist is playing. Therapy needs to be fun, which means carrying out therapy through the medium of play. But remember every approach used has evidence behind it. We need to know that therapy will be successful, so an evidence-based approach is essential.

    One of the approaches used for Speech Therapy (i.e., working on speech sound production) is the Cycles Phonology Approach. This approach focuses on the patterns and processes rather than each individual sound. For example, it may be working on final consonant deletion, so the omission of the final sound in words. As Speech and Language Therapists we understand that children can get frustrated and fatigued working on the same sound every day. This approach attempts to solve that. Hodson suggests, the approach is also useful for children with more speech sound errors, as therapists see progress in areas not targeted.

    How does the Cycles Phonology Approach work?

    Your Speech and Language Therapist will assess your child’s speech development and will then analyse the results. They will also look for which sounds they can produce with support (this is called stimulability). They will analyse patterns in the results and will formulate a plan.

    The Cycles Phonology Approach intervention allows your child to work in blocks. This might mean they work for half a week for 30 minutes on (e.g., clusters). Then the next half they’ll work for 30 minutes on a different process (e.g., omission of sounds at the end of words).

    Research has found that the following error patterns respond well to this approach:

    • Syllables (identifying the different parts in a word e.g., “ae-ro-plane”)
    • Final Consonant deletion (omission of the final sound e.g., “ca” instead of “cat”)
    • Initial consonant deletion (omission of the first sound e.g., “at” instead of “cat”)
    • Fronting (instead of making a sound at the back of the mouth, it’s made at the front e.g., “tat” instead of “cat”)
    • Backing (instead of making a sound at the front of the mouth, it’s made at the back e.g., “gun” instead of “bun”)
    • S blends (e.g., “sl, sm, sn, sk, sw”)
    • Gliding of liquids (e.g., “lellow instead of yellow”, “wabbit instead of rabbit”)

    What does a Speech and Language Therapy session look like when using the Phonology Cycles Approach?

    The format of the session remains the same for whichever speech sound pattern your child is working on. Your child’s Speech and Language Therapist will review the previous session. Then they will use an activity to work on your child hearing the sound several times (this is called ‘auditory bombardment’). Then your child will practise saying the sound. Next, the Speech and Language Therapist will check if your child can say any of the sounds which they haven’t been able to produce before, with support. This is called a stimulability check. After this, your child will take part in an activity which builds their awareness of sounds in words (such as a rhyming or syllable activity). The session will finish with another auditory bombardment task (i.e., hearing their tricky sound repeatedly).

    I will give you advice for practising at home, as it’s vital that your child learns in the correct way. We aim for 100 turns in therapy sessions, so it’s vital your child is motivated.

    Contact me to improve your child’s speech sounds and improve their confidence when talking.

    Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.

    1
  • · · · ·

    Managing mealtime sensory overload at holiday gatherings: Supporting children with allergies and feeding differences

    ByLondon Speech and Feeding
    Managing mealtime sensory overload at holiday gatherings: Supporting children with allergies and feeding differences

    Holiday meals are meant to be joyful and something we all look forward to. But for many children and their families, these occasions can be overwhelming and be the cause of dread and worry. The combination of new smells, unfamiliar foods, loud environments, social expectations, and allergy anxieties can quickly turn what should be a festive time into a stressful one.

    For parents of children with sensory processing differences, selective eating challenges, or food allergies, holiday gatherings often require careful planning and a big dose of tolerance and compassion. The good news is that with awareness and a few gentle strategies, you can support your child to feel safe, regulated, and included during festive meals without pressure, tears, or discomfort.

    Let’s explore how to make holiday mealtimes calmer, safer, and more connected this season.

    🎄 Why holiday meals feel so overwhelming

    Holiday gatherings usually combine several sensory triggers all at once:

    • Noisy, chaotic rooms
    • Strong smells from a mix of foods we don’t normally cook
    • Multiple conversations happening at once
    • Bright lights, Christmas décor, flickering candles
    • Unfamiliar foods with unexpected textures
    • Expectations to ‘try everything’ or ‘enjoy it’s sooo good!’
    • New environments, seating arrangements, or routines

    For children with sensory sensitivities, this can feel like a tidal wave of input. Research shows that children who are sensory-sensitive often have heightened responses to smell, taste, and texture, which may lead to avoidance or distress at mealtimes (Cermak, Curtin, & Bandini, 2010).

    Add food allergies into the picture and anxiety increases even further for both children and parents. A 2020 study by DunnGalvin et al. found that children with food allergies experience significantly higher stress in shared eating environments, especially when food preparation or contamination risk is hard to control.

    So, if your child becomes tearful, shuts down, or refuses to sit at the festive table, it isn’t ‘bad behaviour.’ It’s sensory overload, heightened vigilance, or discomfort communicating through their body.

    🌟 Preparing your child for a calmer festive meal

    Preparation is especially important for sensory-sensitive or allergy-aware children. Here’s how to set them up for success:

    1. Offer predictability through previewing

    Before the event, show your child pictures of:

    • where you’re going
    • who will be there
    • the types of foods that might be served
    • where they might sit

    A visual schedule or social story can help reduce anxiety and give your child a sense of control.

    2. Pack safe foods without apology

    If your child has allergies or selective eating, bring:

    • ‘Safe foods’ you know they will eat
    • Backup snacks
    • A separate (their own) plate, if needed
    • Emergency medication

    Announce clear, firm boundaries such as:

    ‘Ok people, these are Jamie’s safe foods — we’ll stick with these today.’ This will help relatives understand without pressure or judgement.

    3. Choose seating that supports sensory regulation

    If possible, seat your child:

    • at the end of the table
    • near a familiar adult
    • away from the kitchen (strong smells)
    • away from noise clusters
    • give them their favourite toy or fidget whilst waiting

    Let them take breaks when needed. This isn’t ‘rude,’ it’s self-regulation.

    🍽️ Supporting children during the meal

    1. Focus on connection, not consumption

    The holidays are not the time to expand your child’s food range. Keeping mealtimes low-pressure actually supports long-term progress.

    In fact, the research is clear: pressuring children to eat decreases acceptance and increases refusal (Galloway et al., 2006).

    So instead of ‘Just try it!’ try:

    • ‘You don’t have to eat it, you can look at it.’
    • ‘You’re in charge of what goes in your mouth.’
    • ‘You can keep your safe foods on your plate.’

    2. Protect your child’s allergy safety

    Holiday meals often include:

    • cross-contamination risks
    • shared utensils
    • buffets
    • homemade dishes without ingredient lists

    Use gentle but firm scripts:

    • ‘Because of Ellie’s allergies, we’ll keep her plate separate.’
    • ‘We’ll serve her food ourselves to make sure she stays safe.’

    Confidence in your boundary helps others respect it.

    3. Manage sensory load in real time

    Offer:

    • headphones
    • a small chew or fidget toy
    • a designated ‘calm corner’
    • time outside for fresh air
    • a predictable signal for breaks (e.g., a hand squeeze or card)

    Remember, sensory regulation is healthcare, not ‘giving in.’

    4. Model calm eating

    Children learn most from watching.

    Slow, happy bites and relaxed facial expressions tell the nervous system: ‘This environment is safe’.

    💛 What to say to well-meaning relatives

    Families often have big feelings about food. You can prepare nice phrases like:

    • ‘We’re focusing on helping him feel safe around food today.’
    • ‘She has allergies, so we’re sticking to our plan.’
    • ‘We’re avoiding pressure because it helps him eat better long term.’
    • ‘We’re celebrating together, eating is not the goal today.’

    Setting expectations ahead of time can reduce awkward moments later.

    🎁 The bigger picture: It’s about safety, not ‘picky eating’

    Children with allergies, sensory differences, or feeding challenges aren’t trying to be difficult. They are trying to stay safe, regulated, and comfortable.

    Your calm presence, gentle boundaries, and preparation create the conditions for a holiday that feels peaceful, not pressured.

    Sonja McGeachie

    Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

    Owner of The London Speech and Feeding Practice.

    Health Professions Council registered
    Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists Member
    Member of ASLTIP

    Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.

    📚Research References

    Cermak, S. A., Curtin, C., & Bandini, L. G. (2010). Food selectivity and sensory sensitivity in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(2), 238–246.

    DunnGalvin, A. et al. (2020). APPEAL-2: A pan-European qualitative study to explore the burden of peanut-allergic children, teenagers and their caregivers. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 50(11), 1238–1248.

    Galloway, A. T., Fiorito, L. M., Francis, L. A., & Birch, L. L. (2006). ‘Finish your soup!’ Counterproductive effects of pressuring children to eat on intake and affect. Appetite, 46(3), 318–323.

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  • · ·

    Explore how to improve communication skills for a Gestalt Language Processor

    ByLondon Speech and Feeding

    Let’s break it down into steps to make these complicated words easier to understand. Once you have a deeper understanding, you will then be able to support your child or young person develop their communication skills in the best way as a Gestalt Language Processor. Remember not every child will be a Gestalt Language Processor; if your child uses echolalia and/or has a diagnosis of autism then your child’s way of processing language is most likely different to the classic way children typically learn language.

    Let’s start with understanding what each of these words “Gestalt Language Processors” mean.

    Gestalt: “the way a thing has been placed or put together”

    Language: “a system of human communication”

    Processors: “responds to and processes basic instruction”

    So, let’s put those meanings together. “Gestalt Language Processors are children who process early language in strings of sounds or chunks.” They tend not to process single words.

    It is important to understand this way of processing communication because between 75-90% of children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions process language in this way (Blanc, 2012). We know that it’s important for young people to have their voice heard and to be able to express themselves. So, it’s vital that they move from echolalia to self-generated communication to be able to do this. This means that our children’s communication partners play a vital role in supporting their child’s language. We can support our children by modelling phrases until the child has learnt the process themselves.

    Speech Therpaist in London

    Let’s explore an example together

    X (who is a gestalt language processor) and his family love to feed the ducks in their spare time; this is an activity that takes place regularly. Let’s look at how you, as the adults, could support X in his communication. Look at the phrases that are used. They are meaningful to the activity with repetition used throughout.

    Top tip: You could think of an activity you and your child or young person take part in on a regular basis and brainstorm some key phrases that you could use.

    Need a boost in confidence to support your child’s gestalt language processing?

    Contact me.

    Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.

    6

  • Tele-Speechtherapy: Online, connected, and highly effective

    ByLondon Speech and Feeding
    A different kind of therapy. Online, connected, and highly effective

    When parents first enquire about speech and language therapy, many assume it will happen face-to-face, in a clinic room, with a therapist sitting across from their child.

    So when therapy is offered online, it’s natural for questions to arise:

    Can this really work? Will my child engage? Will progress be slower?

    This short video offers a glimpse into what online therapy can look like: calm, interactive, relationship-based, and surprisingly effective.

    Online therapy is not ‘less than’ in the right circumstances

    Teletherapy is not suitable for every child in every situation. However, for many school-aged children, particularly those who enjoy conversation, technology, and shared activities, online therapy can be an excellent fit.

    The child you see in this video is around eight years old and was supported for a persistent lisp. Sessions were primarily online, with the occasional in-person appointment when helpful.

    What made the difference was not the screen. It was the combination of engagement, support, and consistency.

    Parent involvement changes everything

    One of the greatest strengths of online therapy is the way it naturally invites parents in.

    In this case, parents regularly joined the video sessions:

    • Listening in
    • Taking part when appropriate
    • Learning how to support practice gently between sessions

    This meant that therapy didn’t stay ‘on the screen’. Strategies carried over into everyday conversation, making progress faster and more meaningful.

    Speech sound therapy, including support for lisps, relies heavily on awareness, feedback, and confidence, all of which can be supported very effectively at home with the right guidance.

    Therapy through a screen can still be deeply relational

    A common concern is whether connection can truly be built online.

    In reality, many children feel more relaxed in their own home environment. They are often more willing to talk, experiment with sounds, and reflect on their speech when they feel comfortable and supported.

    Online sessions allow:

    • Shared focus and conversation
    • Clear visual feedback
    • Real-life practice in a familiar setting
    • Immediate parent support

    For some children, this actually enhances engagement rather than limits it.

    Real progress, real outcomes

    Over the course of approximately 12 online sessions, alongside a small number of in-person appointments, this child achieved resolution of their lisp.

    Progress was steady, positive, and confidence-building. Importantly, the child remained motivated and proud of their achievements throughout the process.

    While every child’s journey is different, this example highlights what is possible when:

    • The child is ready
    • Parents are involved
    • Therapy is tailored and collaborative

    If you’re considering online therapy

    If you’re unsure whether teletherapy could work for your child, it’s worth remembering that effective speech and language therapy is less about the room you’re in, and more about:

    • Relationship
    • Understanding
    • Consistency
    • Carryover into daily life

    For many families, online therapy offers flexibility, accessibility, and excellent outcomes especially when parents are active partners in the process.

    If you’re at the start of your child’s speech journey and wondering whether online therapy could be the right fit, I’m always happy to talk it through. Sometimes clarity begins with simply understanding what therapy can look like

    Teletherapy: Frequently Asked Questions

    Is online speech and language therapy really effective?

    Yes. For many children, particularly school-aged children, online therapy can be highly effective. Progress depends far more on engagement, consistency, and support than on physical location.

    What age does online therapy work best for?

    Teletherapy often works well for children from around six years and up, especially those who can attend to a screen, enjoy conversation, and follow simple instructions. That said, suitability is always considered individually and often a supportive adult is needed to help guide the child through the activities.

    Can speech sound work (such as a lisp) really be done online?

    Absolutely. Speech sound therapy relies on clear visual feedback, listening skills, and practice all of which can be supported very effectively online. Many children respond particularly well when practising in their own home environment.

    Do parents need to be involved in sessions?

    Parental involvement is strongly encouraged. Parents may sit in, join parts of the session, or support practice between appointments. This involvement often leads to quicker progress and better carryover into everyday speech.

    Will my child still build a relationship with the therapist?

    Yes. Strong therapeutic relationships can and do develop online. Many children feel more relaxed and confident communicating from home, which can actually enhance connection and learning.

    Is online therapy suitable for every child?

    Not in my experience. Some children benefit more from in-person support, or a combination of online and face-to-face sessions. A discussion and initial assessment help determine the best approach for each child.

    Sonja McGeachie

    Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

    Owner of The London Speech and Feeding Practice.

    Health Professions Council registered
    Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists Member
    Member of ASLTIP

    Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.

    3