The question comes up in every conversation with a parent considering a teleconsultation assessment: “But is it really as good as in an office? Can the speech therapist really assess my child through a screen?” The resistance is understandable — we have learned to associate medical quality with physical presence.
The short answer: yes, the online assessment is clinically reliable, administratively equivalent, and even has specific advantages in certain situations. The long answer is this article.
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What is identical in both formats
Let’s start with what does not change — and that is the essential part.
The tests used
The standardised tests used in teleconsultation are exactly the same as those used in an office — or versions validated for remote administration. They are normed on French-speaking populations and produce scores comparable to established norms. American and Canadian clinical studies have confirmed that the reliability of tests carried out by video conference is clinically equivalent to in-person testing for the vast majority of paediatric and adult indications.
The speech therapist’s qualification
A speech therapist who practises by video conference holds the same qualification as one who sees patients in an office: the Certificat de Capacité d’Orthophoniste (CCO), awarded by a French university. Their training, skills and code of ethics are identical. ORA-VISIO’s speech therapists are all state-certified.
The administrative value of the report
The report produced after an online assessment has exactly the same legal and administrative value as an office assessment. It is recognised without distinction by:
✓ The French national education system for PAP (personalised support plan) applications
✓ The MDPH for disability recognition applications
✓ The rectorat for exam adjustments (extra time, brevet, bac)
✓ Higher education institutions and universities
✓ Health professionals (GP, paediatric neurologist, neuropsychologist)
The overall process
Initial interview, tests, feedback, written report: the four stages of the assessment are identical in both formats. The duration is comparable — 1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on the child’s age and difficulties, sometimes spread over two sessions.
Book a speech therapy assessment
Equivalent clinical reliability · Appointment within a few days · Report recognised for PAP, MDPH, exams · State-certified speech therapists
The real differences between the two formats
Access times: the gap is huge
This is the most significant difference. In private practice, waiting lists reach 12 to 18 months in many regions. In teleconsultation via ORA-VISIO, an appointment is generally available within a few days. For families who cannot wait — an urgent MDPH assessment, an extra-time application to submit, a child dropping out of school — this is often the deciding factor.
Cost and reimbursement
An assessment in an office contracted with French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie) is covered at 60% with a prescription. The rest can be covered by a supplementary health insurer (mutuelle). An online assessment at ORA-VISIO is paid for directly: depending on your country and your health cover, your insurance may reimburse part of it.
In practice: the total cost of an office assessment (partially reimbursed) and of a private online assessment are often comparable once mutuelle reimbursements are taken into account. But the real question is not always the cost — it is the cost of waiting 18 months without a diagnosis.
The technical requirements
An online assessment requires a computer (not a smartphone), a working webcam and microphone, and a stable internet connection. This is an absolute requirement. For families who live very far away or have reduced mobility, it is an advantage; for those who do not have reliable equipment, it can be an obstacle.
The testing environment
In an office, the speech therapist controls the environment: a dedicated space, physical materials, no distractions. At home, the environment depends on the family — you need to make sure there is a quiet space, with no interruptions, for the entire duration of the assessment. On the other hand, the child is in familiar surroundings, which often reduces their anxiety and helps them feel confident — a clear advantage for anxious profiles, children with ADHD and very young children.
The specific limits of video
The online format is not suitable for every situation. A few cases where in-person remains preferable:
- Some swallowing assessments (dysphagia) require a physical examination
- Children who categorically refuse to sit in front of a screen or who have severe pervasive disorders that make remote cooperation impossible
For all other profiles — school-age children, teenagers, adults — the online assessment is a fully valid alternative.
Summary comparison table
Here is a summary of the key differences between the two formats:
Access times | Office: 6 to 18 months | Online: a few days
Tests used | Office: standardised | Online: identical standardised tests or video-validated versions
Speech therapist’s qualification | Office: CCO | Online: identical CCO
Value of the report | Office: PAP / MDPH / extra time | Online: identical
Social security reimbursement | Office: 60% with a prescription | Online: no (partial mutuelle cover possible)
Travel | Office: required | Online: none
Environment | Office: controlled by the speech therapist | Online: familiar to the child
Suitable for under-3s | Office: yes | Online: yes (with a parent present)
Suitable for expats | Office: no | Online: yes, from any country
What scientific studies say
Speech teletherapy is not a new practice. Telehealth speech therapy programmes were developed as early as the 2000s in the United States and Australia, in particular to serve isolated rural areas. The available data show clinical effectiveness comparable to in-person care for the assessment and treatment of oral and written language disorders, stabilised post-stroke aphasia, stuttering and cognitive-communication disorders.
In France, the practice has grown significantly since 2020. ORA-VISIO has carried out several thousand assessments by video conference, which represents significant clinical experience and concrete feedback from the field on the reliability of the format.
FAQ — Online speech therapy assessment: your questions
Can a school doctor refuse an assessment carried out online?
No, as long as the assessment is signed by a state-certified speech therapist with their ADELI number. The way it was carried out is not a legal criterion of validity. If a school doctor expressed reservations, simply remind them that speech teletherapy is regulated by the French Public Health Code.
My child is very restless: can they still have an online assessment?
Often better than in an office. The familiar environment, interactive digital materials and the possibility of building in breaks more naturally often make testing smoother for children with ADHD or anxiety. The speech therapist adapts the pace and tools to the child’s attention span.
Does the online assessment take less time than in an office?
No. The duration is comparable — 1 to 2 hours depending on the child’s profile and the areas assessed. The assessment can be spread over two sessions if necessary, online as well as in an office.
Can you do online therapy after an online assessment?
Yes. ORA-VISIO offers complete continuity: assessment then speech therapy sessions by teleconsultation. Sessions are scheduled according to the frequency recommended by the speech therapist after the assessment, and adapt to the family’s availability and time zone.
Conclusion: choose according to your situation, not prejudice
The in-office speech therapy assessment remains the benchmark — but it is no longer the only valid option. For families who cannot wait a year, who live far from any office, who have an anxious child, or who are expats, the online assessment is a complete, reliable and recognised alternative.
The real question is not “which format is best?” but “which format is accessible for my family, in my situation, right now?”
Book a speech therapy assessment
Equivalent clinical reliability · Appointment within a few days · Report recognised for PAP, MDPH, exams · State-certified speech therapists
