Your First Week of Home-Based Speech Therapy for Adults: What to Expect
Speech therapy at home for adults can feel like a new frontier—especially if you’re just starting out after a recent diagnosis, injury, or longstanding communication challenge. Maybe you've experienced a stroke, are working through aphasia, or just want to build clearer speech and confidence in professional or social situations. No matter the reason, stepping into therapy from the comfort of home is more accessible and effective than ever before.
The first week sets the tone. It's when expectations are clarified, routines are built, and—most importantly—you start realizing that progress is possible. Here’s what that first week of at-home speech therapy for adults usually looks like and how to make the most of it.
Day 1: Orientation and Assessment
Your first session is all about understanding you. Before jumping into any exercises or strategies, your speech-language pathologist (SLP) will want to get a clear picture of where things stand. Expect this session to be conversational and exploratory.
What Happens:
A thorough intake interview: Your SLP will ask about your medical history, communication goals, challenges, and lifestyle. If you're recovering from a stroke or brain injury, they'll ask about cognitive impacts too.
Initial assessments: These could involve simple tasks like reading, repeating phrases, naming objects, or answering questions. This helps your therapist evaluate speech clarity, fluency, voice, language understanding, and expression.
What to Know:
There’s no need to “prepare” like it’s a test. Just be honest and relaxed. The goal is to gather data, not to judge your performance.
Day 2: Goal Setting and Custom Planning
Now that your therapist has some insight, the second session usually focuses on goal-setting. You’ll collaborate to decide what you want to achieve and what realistic progress might look like in weeks and months to come.
What Happens:
The therapist shares initial observations.
You talk about daily life and priorities: Do you want to speak clearly in meetings? Talk more confidently with your kids? Order at restaurants without feeling self-conscious?
A plan starts to take shape: You’ll be introduced to your customized therapy roadmap, often broken into short-term and long-term goals.
What to Know:
This is your therapy—it should fit your life. At Anywhere Speech & Language, therapists work with your schedule and interests to shape sessions that are practical, not cookie-cutter.
Day 3: First Real Practice Session
By now, you’re in motion. Your third session is usually your first “working” session where you'll start engaging in targeted exercises. This might feel like a mix of structured activities and guided conversations.
What Happens:
Depending on your needs, the session might include:
Repeating syllables or phrases for articulation practice
Naming exercises and word retrieval games (for aphasia or cognitive rehab)
Breath control and pacing for fluency and stuttering support
Intonation and rhythm practice for accent modification
Expect lots of encouragement. And yes, some challenges too. This is where therapy starts to become tangible.
Day 4: Daily Habits and Home Practice
Effective speech therapy at home for adults doesn’t stop when the video call ends. Consistent daily practice—even for 10 minutes—can accelerate your progress.
What Happens:
Your therapist will likely assign light, personalized homework
You might be asked to practice sounds, record a short story, or read aloud daily
Journaling about conversations or communication difficulties may also be encouraged
What to Know:
You don’t need special tools. A phone, pen, notebook, or just a quiet space is usually enough. Your therapist will help you integrate exercises into your actual routines—like talking during a video meeting, reading news articles aloud, or practicing greetings at the store.
Day 5: Feedback and Small Wins
The fifth session is a good point for your therapist to give initial feedback, and for you to start noticing improvements, even small ones.
What Happens:
Review of your progress and response to early exercises
Adjustments to techniques, based on what’s working (and what’s not)
Reinforcement of strengths and small wins
Maybe you remembered more words during a conversation. Maybe your spouse noticed you sounded more confident. These moments matter—they’re signs of real momentum.
What Makes Online Therapy Work So Well for Adults
By the end of the first week, many people realize that online speech therapy isn’t just a backup plan—it’s often the better plan.
Here’s why it works:
No commuting stress: Therapy happens in a place you're comfortable.
More consistency: Fewer missed sessions due to travel, weather, or fatigue.
Customization: Sessions can happen during your lunch break, before work, or even in the evening.
Real-life practice: Since you're at home, your therapist can help you with scenarios that actually matter—like speaking on Zoom, leaving a voicemail, or explaining your needs at a doctor’s office.
At Anywhere Speech & Language, therapists are trained to work with adult learners of all backgrounds—whether you’re a professional, a parent, a retiree, or someone rebuilding after a major life event.
Common Concerns in the First Week (And How to Handle Them)
“Will this actually help me?”
Yes—but not overnight. Speech therapy is like building muscle. The first gains may be subtle, but they build quickly with consistent work.
“I feel self-conscious practicing.”
Completely normal. Your therapist will meet you with patience and zero judgment. Over time, most clients become more confident just by showing up.
“Technology makes me nervous.”
Most platforms used are simple—just a few clicks and you’re connected. And your therapist will walk you through it until you’re comfortable.
How to Make the Most of It
Be honest: About what’s hard, what’s easy, and what’s frustrating. It helps your therapist tailor your plan.
Stay consistent: One missed week can set progress back more than you’d think.
Practice between sessions: Even 5 minutes a day adds up.
Track your wins: Jot down when someone understands you better, or when you spoke without hesitation.
A New Kind of Therapy—On Your Terms
Starting speech therapy at home for adults isn’t just about fixing a problem—it’s about gaining tools for life. Whether you’re healing, improving, or just wanting to speak more freely, this first week is your launchpad.
Online therapy with providers like Anywhere Speech & Language makes it possible to get expert help without rearranging your life. You don’t have to commute, wait in line, or worry about being “perfect.” You just have to show up, stay open, and commit to small steps.
One week in, you’ll realize: therapy doesn’t have to be somewhere you go. It can be something that comes to you and helps you move forward.