When people hear "speech therapy", they usually think of someone helping a child pronounce words correctly. And while articulation therapy is one part of speech pathology, there is a whole other side that many people do not know about: social communication.
What is social communication?
Social communication is how we use language to interact with other people. It goes far beyond the words we say — it includes:
- Knowing how to start and end a conversation
- Taking turns in a discussion
- Understanding what someone means (not just what they say)
- Reading facial expressions, tone of voice and body language
- Adjusting how you communicate depending on who you are talking to
- Repairing a conversation when it goes wrong
For many neurodivergent people — including autistic individuals and those with ADHD — social communication can feel confusing, exhausting or unpredictable. This is not a reflection of intelligence or effort. It is simply that the social "rules" that neurotypical people pick up intuitively often need to be taught explicitly.
How is it different from traditional speech therapy?
Traditional speech therapy often focuses on the mechanics of speech — things like articulation (how sounds are produced), fluency (stuttering), voice quality and oral motor skills.
Social communication therapy focuses on the use of language — how we communicate in real social situations. It is less about how clearly you speak and more about how effectively you connect.
Traditional speech therapy
- • Pronunciation and articulation
- • Fluency and stuttering
- • Voice quality and projection
- • Oral motor skills
Social communication therapy
- • Conversation skills
- • Reading social cues
- • Understanding humour and sarcasm
- • Friendship and relationship skills
- • Self-advocacy and confidence
Who benefits from social communication therapy?
Social communication therapy can help a wide range of people, including:
- Children who struggle with making friends, joining in at school or understanding social expectations
- Teenagers navigating the complex social world of high school — group dynamics, online communication, conflict and self-identity
- Adults who find workplace interactions, dating or everyday social situations confusing or draining
It is particularly relevant for autistic people, people with ADHD, social anxiety, or anyone who has always felt like social interactions take more effort than they seem to for other people.
What does it look like in practice?
Social communication therapy is practical and real-world focused. Sessions might involve:
- Practising conversation starters and how to keep a chat going
- Role-playing tricky social scenarios (e.g. disagreements, group entry)
- Watching and discussing video examples of social interactions
- Setting goals for real-life practice between sessions
- Reflecting on what went well and what was challenging
The goal is not to make someone "act neurotypical". It is to give people the tools and understanding they need to participate confidently in the social situations that matter to them.
Wondering if social communication therapy could help?
If you or someone you know finds social situations confusing, exhausting or isolating, it is worth having a conversation about whether social communication therapy could make a difference. A free 15-minute consultation is a good place to start.
Want to learn more?
Book a free consultation to talk through your situation and see whether social communication therapy is the right fit.