The Effect Of Telehealth On The Language And Communication...

Introduction Telehealth, also referred to as telepractice, is defined as â€Å"the application of telecommunications technology to the delivery of speech language pathology and audiology professional services at a distance by linking clinician to client/patient or clinician to clinician for assessment, intervention, and/or consultation† (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], 1997). Healthcare personnel use telehealth practices to treat or assess disorders via technology, such as video or webcams, rather than treating patients face-to-face. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) may use this method to treat a variety of delays and disorders, including stuttering, apraxia, lisps, and others. This paper will explore the use of telehealth in treating the language and communication delays that accompany Autism Spectrum Disorder (autism), specifically in children. Autism Spectrum Disorder is â€Å"a complex developmental disability, typically appearing during childhood and affecting a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others† (Autism Society, 2016). Autism is typically diagnosed in childhood and affects the individual into adulthood. Description of Childhood Autism Diagnoses of autism have increased rapidly over the last ten years, and continue to do so, making affordable and effective treatment for the developmental disorder crucial. Statistics report that â€Å"about 1% of the world is on the Autism Spectrum; prevalence in the US is about 1/68 births, prevalence