6 School Teletherapy Myths: Debunked
When it comes to providing high-quality, essential intervention and evaluation services in schools, each day matters. Students with IEPs depend on consistent speech, occupational, and physical therapy to achieve their educational goals. Yet many districts face a harsh reality: provider shortages that leave students waiting for services, and compliance deadlines looming.
Teletherapy offers a proven solution to bridge these gaps. With over a decade of success in U.S. schools, it delivers the same high-quality track record, but misconceptions about teletherapy persist, causing some districts to hesitate when time is of the essence.
These myths don't just create doubt; they can delay critical services for students already waiting. Let's examine the facts behind common teletherapy misconceptions and discover why thousands of districts have embraced this flexible, effective approach to student care.
Teletherapy: Separating Myths from Facts
Myth 1: “Teletherapy isn’t as effective as in-person therapy.”
Myth: It’s a watered-down version with weaker results.
Fact: Teletherapy is a delivery model—not a different therapy. Licensed school-based clinicians apply the same clinical rigor virtually. When implemented with fidelity, it meets state and federal requirements and delivers services at the frequency and intensity outlined in IEPs.
Myth 2: “We tried teletherapy during COVID—it didn’t work.”
Myth: It was chaotic and ineffective during the pandemic, so it won’t work now.
Fact: Most schools experienced emergency remote learning—not true teletherapy. Today, AMN delivers clinically driven services via our secure, HIPAA- and FERPA-compliant platform, Televate®. Our model aligns to IEP goals, engages students, and integrates with district teams for sustainable and scalable success.
Myth 3: “Teletherapy isn’t widely used or proven.”
Myth: It’s new, untested, and uncommon in schools.
Fact: Teletherapy has been used in U.S. schools since 2009. Since 2021, AMN has supported 208 districts, completed 1,215 unique assignments, and reached 85,000+ students—especially impactful in rural and hard-to-staff areas.
Myth 4: “Parents don’t support teletherapy.”
Myth: Parent resistance makes it a nonstarter for our district.
Fact: Hesitation usually stems from unfamiliarity. When families learn that teletherapy is clinically sound, IEP-compliant, and often more accessible and less stigmatizing, support grows—especially as students show measurable progress.
Myth 5: “Students don’t make real progress with teletherapy.”
Myth: Virtual therapy doesn’t deliver outcomes.
Fact: With strong implementation, teletherapy supports meaningful student progress at the same level as onsite services. A recent ASHA study found that students achieved comparable progress in both in-person and teletherapy settings, including gains toward short-term language goals.[1]
Myth 6: “Teletherapy services are more expensive for school districts than onsite essential services.”
Myth: The cost of teletherapy services outweighs the potential benefits.
Fact: While some situations may require onsite paraprofessional support, teletherapy eliminates costs like travel, physical space usage, and additional administrative support. With comparable service outcomes and more flexible staffing options, teletherapy frequently delivers better value for school districts.
Moving Beyond Myths to Student Success
These persistent misconceptions can prevent districts from accessing solutions that could serve their students effectively. While concerns about new approaches are natural, decisions about student services should be based on evidence rather than assumptions.
The data is clear: teletherapy works. It delivers compliant, effective services that help students make meaningful progress toward their IEP goals. Districts across the country have moved beyond myths to embrace this flexible approach to student care.
Partner With Proven Teletherapy Excellence
Your students deserve consistent, high-quality therapy services—not delays from staffing gaps. AMN Healthcare's teletherapy solutions help districts stay fully IEP compliant while delivering care on time.
Through our secure, HIPAA- and FERPA-compliant Televate platform, you’ll gain access to a national network of licensed clinicians with school-based expertise. Our solutions integrate seamlessly with your teams and workflows, ensuring reliable, high-quality service delivery.
With flexible staffing to close gaps quickly, you can maintain the highest standards of care and ensure students get the support they need and deserve.
Discover how AMN Healthcare's teletherapy solutions can support your students' success today. Contact us to customize a solution that fits your district's unique needs and helps every student reach their full potential.
