Adolescents

Speech Pathology can help adolescents who have difficulties with social skills such as initiating a conversation, taking turns in conversation and understanding how to stay on topic.

Speech Pathology can also work with adolescents who have difficulty with verbal and written language skills, such as understanding what the teacher is saying to them or being able to understand the hidden meaning in a text. This also includes expressive language, such as formatting a letter or essay and getting their message across to everyone in their life by using correct grammar and sentence length.

Speech Pathologists can provide and modify assistive devices for a person who cannot communicate verbally or is learning to use language. This can include technology such as a tablet with a text-to-speech app or a simple environmental communication board, for example, a visual board in the classroom.

Teenagers and adolescents may seek voice-specific speech therapy if they feel their voice doesn’t match their age or gender. Voice therapy may also help people who frequently lose their voice or have a harsh or strained voice that causes discomfort. Adolescents with ASD may benefit from Speech Therapy if they need to control their volume in social settings. Those with Selective Mutism (an anxiety disorder) may also see a Speech Pathologist.