8 Benefits of Teletherapy for School Districts

School districts across the country are recognizing the growing value of teletherapy. More schools are embracing this innovative approach to service delivery, helping students thrive with support that is flexible, accessible, and effective.  

At VocoVision, we connect schools with certified professionals who deliver specialized support through our secure virtual platform. Whether you’re new to remote services or looking to scale your district’s offerings, teletherapy gives you the flexibility to meet student needs effectively and efficiently. 

What is School-Based Teletherapy? 

Teletherapy, also known as telehealth or teleservices, allows students to receive educational and therapeutic support from certified specialists via a secure online platform. Using live video, screen sharing, and interactive tools, students engage in real-time sessions that mirror the quality and outcomes of in-person services, without the limitations of location or staffing shortages. 

In school-based teletherapy, students access these services right from your school site. Sessions are delivered remotely, helping your district support students with learning challenges in a flexible, space-saving, and highly effective way. 

As you transition from on-site services to virtual care, it’s essential to partner with a provider that goes beyond the basics. Choose a team that offers a comprehensive suite of teletherapy services, backed by highly qualified experts and proven results. 

Below, learn more about the top 8 benefits of teletherapy for school districts: 

1. A Full Range of Services, Delivered Virtually 

At VocoVision, we match your district with highly qualified teletherapists who deliver a full suite of services, virtually. Whether your students need speech support, mental health services, or specialized instruction, our licensed professionals offer the same level of care and results you expect from on-site providers.  

Our Services Include:  

• Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) – Our SLPs provide virtual assessment and treatment for articulation, language impairments, apraxia, stuttering, and AAC support. They also work with students on the autism spectrum who experience speech and language challenges. All services are customized to meet each student’s unique communication needs. 

• Occupational Therapists (OT) – From fine motor skills to handwriting and rehabilitation, our OTs offer consultation, evaluation, and intervention—all delivered remotely through engaging, interactive sessions. 

• Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI) – Our TVIs support students with visual impairments using adaptive tools and remote strategies. They also collaborate with your staff and families to create accessible learning environments. 

• Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) – These specialists provide direct instruction and support for students with hearing loss, ensuring they stay connected in the classroom. 

• Sign Language Interpreters (SLI) – Using Video Remote Interpretation (VRI), our SLIs facilitate seamless communication between students, teachers, and peers, allowing for real-time classroom participation without the limitations of traditional shadowing. 

• School Social Workers – Our social workers offer individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and support for mental health and home-related challenges, all in a secure virtual environment. 

• School Psychologists – From cognitive and behavioral assessments to mental health interventions, our school psychologists work with students, families, and staff to support whole-child success, using video conferencing, phone, or secure messaging. 

No matter the service, VocoVision’s teletherapy providers deliver measurable outcomes with the flexibility your district needs. You can count on consistent, student-centered support—without the challenges of staffing, scheduling, or space constraints. 

2. Cost-Effective

A critical benefit of teletherapy, especially in this age of fluctuating budgets, is that it can be quite cost-effective. Although individual situations may vary, many school districts will save money by choosing teletherapy over onsite therapy. Hiring a full-time specialist involves many further costs for the district, in the form of insurance, benefits, and other expenses. By choosing a telehealth provider such as VocoVision to meet your students’ needs, you can fine-tune the individual services that you require, without the added costs of a full-time employee. 

Additionally, by moving services to an online platform, your schools can save significantly on costs related to physical service delivery. For example, gas, travel expenses, and materials all need to be reimbursed by the district. A teletherapy approach can remove these expenditures. 

3. Access to Services in Rural Areas

For districts with schools in remote, rural areas, it can be a daunting challenge to provide services to their students. Geographic isolation and the physical distance from qualified specialists can result in unfortunate underserving of students in rural locations. VocoVision is committed to helping students in every school that needs services provided. Through remote teletherapy, our specialists can provide superior services to any student, no matter their learning challenge or school’s location. Teletherapy supplies the solution that your rural schools need. 

4. Teletherapy is Space Efficient

Many schools are already overloaded as far as available space. Often, schools are forced to “make room” for visiting specialists and their therapy sessions. By integrating a teletherapy platform, this will no longer be an issue. The only requirement of the school in telehealth is a computer, as opposed to an entire room to devote to physical sessions. Remote service delivery can free up valuable space in your schools, without a need to create work stations or offices for onsite service providers.

5. Students Are More Engaged with Technology-Based Sessions

When providing services to students, engagement is critical. If children do not buy into services, it can be challenging to reach the desired outcome. Many students of all ages enjoy technology. Teletherapy utilizes tablets with programs that feel “game-like” and fun. By directly interacting with our specialists digitally, students are motivated and engaged throughout the session. VocoVision has a dynamic, attractive platform that draws students in and creates an enjoyable experience for learners.

6. Backed by Research and Proven Outcomes 

As school districts adopt telehealth more frequently, the primary motivation for many is simple: teletherapy works. The more teletherapy research conducted, the more the evidence mounts. In all areas of teletherapy that VocoVision works, teletherapy is as effective as onsite therapy. In teletherapy, students receive individualized services tailored to their learning needs. VocoVision ensures that only the most highly-qualified specialists are providing services and that they are using research-backed and data-driven practices in their delivery.

Each field has research to prove its efficacy. For example, in the realm of speech-language pathology, common conclusions have been found across multiple service areas. Teletherapy and onsite service delivery are equally effective with articulation and phonological disorders. Similarly, Hill et al. (2009) discovered that there was no significant difference between onsite and teletherapy treatment of apraxia. Within language and fluency research, many studies reached the same conclusion. Remote speech and language intervention are also proving to be beneficial to students, with many showing significant improvement (Scheideman-Miller et al., 2002).

Occupational therapy studies are delivering equivalent results. In Criss et al. (2013), students participated in online OT service delivery, specifically around handwriting. The outcome was that not only were students satisfied with the process, but most showed marked improvement in their handwriting skills.

Students are benefiting in the field of remote school psychology, as well. A study conducted by Wright (2016) demonstrated no significant difference between formal assessment conditions in onsite versus teletherapy delivery. Supportive data continues to back up the efficiency of telehealth school psychology services.

7. Staffing Efficiency and Flexibility

With the national shortage of specialized providers, finding the right fit for your district can take months. Teletherapy accelerates hiring timelines by giving districts access to a nationwide pool of licensed professionals. Providers can be matched based on licensure, experience, and student needs, without relocation delays or long onboarding. 

8. Continuity of Services During Disruptions

Whether due to staffing gaps, weather closures, or public health concerns, school disruptions happen. Teletherapy helps districts maintain service continuity through flexible scheduling and remote access. With VocoVision, your students get consistent support, even when in-person sessions aren’t possible. 

Experience the Benefits of Teletherapy for your School District  

Teletherapy offers your district a smarter, more flexible way to meet students’ needs. From rural access and staffing efficiency to cost savings and proven results, the benefits of teletherapy are clear. VocoVision helps districts deliver top-tier support with licensed providers, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to student success. 

Ready to explore teletherapy for your school district? 

Contact VocoVision today to learn how we can customize services for your team.