The effectiveness of teletherapy for developmental language disorder in India

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a condition that impairs language acquisition in children despite typical cognitive abilities and the absence of neurological, physical, or hearing impairments. Early intervention through speech therapy is critical, with in-person therapy traditionally considered the standard approach. However, teletherapy delivered via digital platforms has emerged as a potential alternative, particularly in contexts where access to conventional services is limited.

This study investigated the impact of teletherapy on children aged 2-5 years in India diagnosed with DLD, using a single-group pre-post treatment design. Ten children participated in a structured three-phase process consisting of a pre-therapy assessment, a series of teletherapy sessions, and a post-therapy assessment. The sessions were conducted via video calls and incorporated language stimulation strategies including imitation, modelling, and expansion.

Participants demonstrated improvements in both expressive and receptive language skills following the intervention. Parents reported high levels of satisfaction with the teletherapy approach, highlighting its convenience and accessibility as key advantages. Although some challenges were noted, including technological issues and increased demands on caregivers, these did not substantially impede the observed progress.

The findings provide early evidence that teletherapy may be a feasible and accessible approach for supporting language development in children with DLD, particularly in settings with limited access to in-person services. However, given the small sample size and lack of a control group, further research involving larger, controlled studies is necessary to establish the effectiveness of teletherapy and its comparability to traditional therapy models.