Remote children with speech, language and reading disorders may be able to be treated by using a University of Queensland (UQ) designed telerehabilitation system.

The PC-based system allows speech pathologists to assess and treat children living in rural and remote areas via the internet.

The system, consisting of webcams, headsets, a robotic arm, touchscreen and computer, was designed by the Telerehabilitation Research Unit in UQ's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

UQ Speech pathology PhD student Monique Waite said preliminary results using the system were encouraging.

Ms Waite said a pilot study found ratings of speech and oral motor functions made over the Internet were the same as face-to-face ratings more than 90 per cent of the time. Ratings of language skills over the internet matched face-to-face ratings almost 100 per cent.

Telehealth software such as this system are increasingly being used to help children in rural and remote areas access speech pathology services.