There is a lot of chatter about an October 10, 2011 story in the ASHA Leader (http://goo.gl/zbj2n) concerning the appropriate use of apps in speech therapy. A growing number of parents and therapists are trying all sorts of apps to engage kids and help with speech issues.  Some therapists are concerned apps may distract from or replace existing therapy practices. Some folks have gone so far as to wonder whether apps could substitute for traditional speech therapy. The answer from our experience is a definite yes and no.

We’ve only just begun

First of all, apps are no different than any other disruptive technology we’ve seen before. We used to call them paradigm shifts, but that is so last century. Look around the App store and you’ll see loads of fun, engaging and interesting apps, which can substitute for things you used to use in therapy. Are all of them good, effective and proven to work? Not yet, but give them time. It’s hard to remember in our ADD world, but the iPad has only been out in the market for about 18 months.  The explosion of invention and creativity is still growing.

Somebody moved my cheese

Second, it is totally predictable for the ”Old” to push back against the “New.” The “Old” likes things just as they are. After all, the status quo works fine for them. Why change? The “New” wants to change the game. Apps have definitely been a game-changer, but just as the forward pass changed the game of football, it didn’t eliminate the players; it changed the way the game was played.

Back to the future

Speech therapy apps will not eliminate speech-language pathologists from therapy, but apps will definitely change the way therapy is done. Many of today’s apps for speech therapists resemble electronic versions of earlier physical tools (card decks, games and books). This seems natural. Early TV programs resembled their Radio predecessors, only with moving pictures. New apps are coming that will make today’s apps look prehistoric in a just few years. The day is near, when therapists will easily and effectively deliver services over the Internet.

A clear and present opportunity

Regardless of whether therapy is delivered in a traditional setting or conducted through the “cloud,” the quality and effectiveness of therapy will depend on the skill and resourcefulness of highly trained speech-language pathologists. Even in our current economic condition, it’s unlikely any professional school administrator or IT Director is going to pass out iPads with the “right” apps and call it a day. However, many school districts and clinics are trying this new technology in a bold way.

How have apps made a difference in the way you do therapy? What ideas do you have for integrating technology into your practice? How will you evaluate the effectiveness of your choices?