In this episode of Permission to Play, Cherie, Alicia and Jordan turn the spotlight on speech-language pathologists (SLPs)—what we are trained to do, what we actually work on, and why our role is often misunderstood in schools and clinics.
Many people assume SLPs “just work on speech,” but the scope of speech-language pathology extends far beyond articulation. In this conversation, we break down the full scope of SLP practice, including language, AAC, social communication, cognition, feeding and swallowing, and how these areas directly impact learning, behavior, and long-term outcomes—especially for autistic and complex communicators.
We also explore why collaboration with teachers, paras, OTs, PTs, psychologists, and families is essential for creating internally motivated communication and learning. This episode is both a celebration of SLPs and a call to rethink session-based, goal-driven models in favor of a connection-first, long-term lens that leads to meaningful progress.
Whether you’re an SLP, educator, administrator, or parent, this episode will help you better understand how communication works across the school day—and how responsive, joyful interaction is the foundation for true learning.
✨ Because communication doesn’t happen in isolation—and neither should the people supporting it.
00:00 Understanding the Role of SLPs
04:41 The Big Nine Areas of SLP Expertise
08:00 Collaboration between SLPs and School Staff
12:15 The Importance of Communication in Education
15:43 Strategies for SLP Practice
You can find us on IG @connectspeech to learn more!
If you are a parent of an early autistic communicator, check out our previous podcast Autism Communication Toolkit!
https://open.spotify.com/show/5GnH2v3qxwtQZqqxdlsXAI?si=812f5410411243e2