Teletherapy for schools, the remote delivery of services like speech therapy, counseling, occupational therapy, and psychoeducational assessments, has become central to how districts deliver special education-related services. As districts work to meet every student’s needs, teletherapy offers a flexible, scalable, and research-backed way to expand access, boost engagement, and streamline services.
To implement teletherapy for schools effectively and confidently, your staff needs a clear understanding of what it can and can’t do. Learn about the strengths and limitations of teletherapy, and how you can implement a strategic program to keep workloads manageable and help students thrive.
Teletherapy provides 3 powerful benefits for schools
Teletherapy can address persistent challenges that school districts face: staffing gaps, limited access or barriers to specialized services, student engagement difficulties, long commute times for staff, and more. By combining the expertise of remote clinicians with the support of onsite staff, your school can create a more efficient, flexible, and sustainable service delivery model.
1. Fills critical service gaps and increases access to specialists
One of teletherapy’s greatest advantages is its ability to fill staffing gaps and connect students with specialized providers who may not be available locally. Through our work with over 10,000 schools nationwide, we’ve seen school districts struggle to recruit and retain qualified speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, or mental health professionals. Teletherapy allows schools to connect with highly trained specialists remotely, enabling students to receive specialized instruction no matter their location.
Support from remote providers can also prevent staff burnout by managing portions of the caseload, giving onsite teams more time to focus on hands-on interventions, crisis response, or direct support for students with more intensive needs. This allows services to be delivered consistently and reliably, even during staffing shortages.
Teletherapy also addresses issues of service equity. Students in rural or underserved communities, or those with limited access to specialists, can receive the support they need. Districts can more efficiently extend services to students who are enrolled at private schools, homebound, or unable to receive support during the school day—without asking onsite staff to travel between sites or work late.
Research shows that teletherapy can lead to positive outcomes for students across different age levels and disability categories, making it a trusted option for continuity of care.
2. Engages students and supports diverse needs
Teletherapy can offer an engaging environment for your students as providers tailor therapy to each student’s goals, strengths, and preferences. Many students today are “tech natives” who enjoy the interactive tools, games, and digital platforms used during remote sessions. The right teletherapy technology can enhance engagement, and enable interactive feedback.
A common misconception is that teletherapy is only appropriate for students who require less intensive or targeted services. In reality, students with complex or higher support needs can make meaningful progress through teletherapy when supported by a teacher, paraprofessional, or onsite proctor.
Teletherapy also provides discreet, stigma-free access to services, helping normalize care and encourage consistent participation. It’s a technological advancement that makes it easier for providers to meet each student where they are.
3. Boosts staff well-being, work-life balance, and retention
Through our school partnerships, we’ve observed how teletherapy can make a positive impact on staff well-being. Remote providers can work in partnership with your onsite staff to support portions of the caseload, including direct therapy, evaluations, and special education meetings. This gives your staff space and time to focus on in-person interventions, urgent student needs, or individualized support.
The national ratio estimate of one school psychologist for every 1,127 students—more than double the 1:500 recommended by the National Association of School Psychologists—highlights the workload pressures many school-based providers face. A collaborative approach enabled by teletherapy can create a healthier work-life balance, helping to reduce burnout and turnover.
Understanding the limitations of teletherapy
While teletherapy is powerful, it’s not the right fit for every student. Recognizing its limitations helps schools plan more effectively and help enable successful implementation.
Needs dedicated technology and onsite logistics
In our experience, a few essentials can help your school set up their teletherapy program: a quiet, dedicated space, a computer with a camera, a reliable headset, and stable internet. Technical disruptions, such as connectivity issues, can affect the effectiveness of your sessions. (Check out our Teletherapy Space and Equipment Setup Guide for detailed recommendations and tips.)
You’ll also need an onsite facilitator during assessments. Having a dedicated space and a consistent schedule, along with a collaborative teletherapy partner, helps smooth out logistics and ensure sessions run seamlessly.
Depends on student needs and engagement
Because every student presents with different needs, teams considering teletherapy should thoroughly assess both internal and external factors (e.g., the student’s sensory needs, access to technology, and onsite support).
Students with higher support needs may also benefit from teletherapy with the right planning, accommodation, and coordination among staff. As always, it requires a team effort to find the best modality for providing the services your students need.
Requires rigorous assessment validity and test security
Major publishers—ATP, Pearson, Riverside Insights, PRO-ED, and WPS—now offer assessments licensed for digital use, and clear guidance for remote administration. Presence has facilitated studies demonstrating equivalence between remote administration and in-person testing.
Ensuring test security, such as preventing prior access to materials and monitoring testing sessions, is crucial. For psychoeducational assessments, your school can protect security and test fidelity by sending materials in sealed envelopes and supervising their opening on camera.
Best practices for successful teletherapy implementation in schools
Collaborate with and educate your onsite staff
Gain staff buy-in and promote effective collaboration from the start by keeping your staff informed. Those who work most closely with remote teletherapy providers should understand how to support students during sessions, and how to support remote staff. Training should also cover the technology platform, troubleshooting common issues, and strategies for optimizing engagement.
Create a flexible, hybrid model
We find that schools can benefit when they integrate teletherapy as part of a flexible and collaborative team, supporting rather than replacing onsite teams. A hybrid approach allows students to receive therapy in the format that best suits their needs, which may include a mix of virtual and in-person sessions.
Depending on student needs, parents may also appreciate hybrid models that combine the flexibility of teletherapy with the benefits of face-to-face interaction.
Start with a needs assessment
Before launching a teletherapy program, evaluate your district’s specific needs and resources. Are you addressing a staffing gap, reducing a backlog, or providing specialized support for a small group of students?
A thorough audit of your available technology, spaces, and staff capacity helps set your district up for success from day one—and helps you make the most of your investment.
Your next step to bring teletherapy to your district
Teletherapy gives schools flexible ways to address staffing gaps, improve student engagement, and expand access to services. By helping your team understand both the benefits and limitations of teletherapy, you can prepare your district to build and implement a sustainable system of student support.
Partnering with an experienced provider like Presence can help your school navigate the complexities of teletherapy, maximize student outcomes, and empower your team to reach more students. Learn more about services and how we can empower your staff and students.
