What is a speech-language pathologist?

Speech-language pathologists (SPL) work with children and adults who have problems with speech and language, including related cognitive or social communication problems. They may be unable to speak at all, or they may speak with difficulty or have rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering

The speech-language pathologist’s most-familiar role involves helping someone produce speech – making sounds, speaking words, improving articulation (intelligibility) and so on. But speech-language pathologists do so much more. They also help with the language skill of putting words together to communicate ideas – either verbally or in reading and writing.

Most important for many people with autism, speech-language pathologists help with social communication skills.

In addition, a speech-language pathologist can help nonverbal children and adults find and use the most appropriate means of alternative communication. For one person, this may involve learning how to use gestures. Another person might do best with a communication system that includes using pictures or visual supports. Still other children and adults do particularly well using electronic communication devices. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) means all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. The speech-language pathologist understands how to match each of these approaches to the individual’s skills and challenges. 

In addition to helping people improve the use of language, speech-language pathologists can help improve the understanding of language. For instance, someone who has autism may need help understanding how we use language to have a conversation. He or she may have problems understanding such complexities as understanding that some words have multiple meanings. For example, “I’m going to store those books” versus “I am going to the store.” Another common challenge for many with autism – understanding that some expressions are meant humorously, sarcastically or figuratively. “It’s raining cats and dogs” is a classic example.

Improving social communication

A major focus of our work is to help improve social communication and social interaction – a challenging area for many people on the autism spectrum. This can include helping someone learn how to adapt his or her language and nonverbal cues to match different social settings, contexts and communication partners. Along these lines, many people with autism need help recognizing other people’s verbal and nonverbal cues (shrugs, facial expressions, etc.).

By improving communication and reducing related frustrations, speech-language services often ease challenging behaviors and improve academic and workplace success.

Speech-language pathologists provide services and supports in education, community and vocational settings. They collaborate with teachers and other education and healthcare professionals. Furthermore, many can help with the feeding and swallowing difficulties that sometimes accompany autism.