Speech Language services

When I meet with someone with autism spectrum disorder, I often ask the person about speech language services.  The typical response is “but I talk just fine!”  True, but how are your communication skills? This initial conversation presents a fantastic opportunity to discuss the role of speech language services, how we use language to communicate, convey social and emotional engagement, and bond with others.  My end goal is to connect my clients with the highest possible services, and this generally involves speech language, no matter the age of the person.

A local psychologist recently asked, “But how is speech language different from what you do?”  Psychologists are great at teaching stress management, anxiety management, teaching about the diagnosis and symptoms, and at teaching social interaction.  A speech language pathologist is often excellent at teaching the nuts and bolts of social interaction, and less so on the anxiety piece.

Every time I talk to my favorite SLP, Mallory Griffith, I learn something new.  She recently drew a picture of a phone conversation, and I suddenly learned about phone conversations in a whole new way.  She taught our group about texting protocol, before our group made mistakes!  Mallory uses logic, social rules, and lots of handouts and visuals to teach the expected rules of social interaction.  She works with adults, and adults love her.  Yep, late diagnosis on the spectrum, or feeling like you could do better now that you’ve been promoted to an uncomfortable place?  Mallory can help you!

Mallory recently had the opportunity to write a blog for ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association) for Autism Awareness Month.  The blog is for Speech Language professionals, and Mallory was invited to write a post.  Curious to hear more about what SLPs do and Mallory’s contribution to their blog?  Check out Mallory’s contribution on their website.