Your Teen’s Path

Guiding Your Teen’s Path: Building Confidence for the Future

Written by Kristie Owens

August 2025

Parenting a teenager comes with unique challenges—and unique opportunities. As teens navigate high school, friendships, academics, and the growing pull toward independence, their communication skills play a critical role in how they learn, connect, and advocate for themselves. Yet many families wonder if it’s “too late” to start speech therapy at this stage. The truth? Adolescence is not a closing door, but a pivotal moment for growth. With the right support, your teen can strengthen their voice, build confidence, and set a strong foundation for success in school, social life, and beyond.

Why It’s Never Too Late: Supporting High Schoolers with Speech and Language Disorders

A common question we hear from concerned parents and caregivers is: “Is it too late to start speech therapy now that my child is in high school?”

The short answer? Absolutely not!

In fact, adolescence can be one of the most critical times to identify, support, and treat speech and language disorders. While early intervention is always ideal, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) emphasizes that communication skills are developed and refined throughout life. Treatment remains highly effective at any age, including during the high school years.

Communication Growth Doesn’t Stop at Childhood

It’s a common misconception that communication skills plateau during adolescence, but that simply isn’t true. The adolescent brain is still developing, particularly in areas related to language, executive function, and self-regulation. This means high schoolers are still actively forming essential skills that influence their ability to reason verbally, write clearly, engage socially, and advocate for themselves.

For many high school students, speech therapy can be a game-changer in navigating the increasingly complex demands of their academic and social worlds. According to ASHA, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) play a vital role in supporting adolescents as they build these critical skills. They assist with academic demands, social communication, emotional awareness, and post secondary readiness. SLPs help teens not only succeed in school but also prepare for life after graduation, whether that’s work, college, or independent living.

Therapy goals may include:

Supporting reading comprehension and writing skills
Enhancing verbal organization and thought clarity
Building social communication skills and perspective-taking
Promoting self-advocacy and independence

These are all essential skills that can impact every subject in high school and shape the teen’s future.

Academics: Language Is the Foundation

Speech and language therapy plays a vital role in supporting academic achievement, especially during the high school years when language demands grow more complex across all subjects. Teens who struggle with expressive or receptive language may have difficulty understanding classroom instructions, keeping up during lectures, organizing their thoughts in writing, or participating meaningfully in discussions. These challenges can affect not only English Language Arts, but also science, history, and even math, subjects where verbal reasoning, word problems, and communication with peers and teachers are essential.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) collaborate with families, teachers, and other professionals to help teens bridge these gaps and succeed in their academic environments. SLPs can:

Support reading comprehension by building vocabulary, background knowledge, and skills like inferencing, summarizing, and making predictions
Help with essay planning and written expression, including organizing ideas, writing cohesive paragraphs, and revising written work for clarity and grammar
Address memory and auditory processing difficulties that impact note-taking, following multi-step directions, and retaining information
Teach strategies for understanding figurative language and complex texts, which are common in high school literature, textbooks, and standardized tests
Enhance oral presentation skills, so teens can express their ideas clearly and confidently in class or during group work

By strengthening these foundational language and communication skills, teens not only gain confidence in the classroom but also develop tools that prepare them for future academic success, whether that’s in high school, college, vocational training, or lifelong learning.

Social Skills: Connection Through Communication

High school is one of the most socially dynamic and emotionally charged periods in a teen’s life. It’s a time when friendships deepen, social expectations increase, and identity is closely tied to peer relationships. For teens with challenges in pragmatic (social) language, these years can feel isolating or overwhelming. Difficulties with understanding and using language appropriately in social settings can impact everything from making friends to resolving conflicts and participating in group projects.

Speech-language therapy plays a powerful role in supporting teens as they navigate these complex social landscapes. Speech and language therapists help teens build the practical communication skills they need to connect, belong, and thrive. SLPs can:

Teach core conversation skills, such as turn-taking, initiating and ending a conversation, staying on topic, and reading the listener’s reactions
Foster understanding of abstract or nuanced language, including sarcasm, humor, idioms, slang, and metaphor, which are commonly used in peer conversations
Support emotional literacy and perspective-taking, helping teens recognize how their words and actions affect others and respond with empathy
Guide conflict resolution strategies, including how to disagree respectfully, compromise, and repair a miscommunication
Help teens interpret nonverbal cues, like facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language, and learn to adjust their own communication accordingly

For teens with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or language disorders, these areas can be especially challenging, but also incredibly impactful when supported. Improving pragmatic language skills not only helps teens form stronger peer relationships but also reduces frustration, anxiety, and miscommunication in everyday social interactions.

Strong social communication skills are essential for group work in school, navigating extracurricular activities, participating in classroom discussions, and feeling a sense of belonging. By focusing on these skills, therapy gives teens the tools they need to build friendships, express themselves more effectively, and engage confidently with the world around them.

ADLs: Communication for Daily Living and Independence

When we think of speech and language therapy, we often picture academic or articulation goals, but communication is just as essential in daily life. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are the everyday tasks that promote independence, such as getting ready in the morning, managing time, handling money, or navigating community spaces. Many teens with language or executive function difficulties struggle with the verbal, cognitive, and social components embedded in these routines.

Speech-language therapy supports teens in building the functional communication skills they need to complete daily tasks more independently. SLPs can help teens:

Understand and follow multi-step instructions, such as “get your backpack, put on your shoes, and meet me by the door”
Use sequencing and planning language, such as “first I brush my teeth, then I pack my lunch”
Express needs and preferences clearly, including asking for help, reporting a problem, or making choices
Navigate appointments or community interactions, like checking in at a doctor’s office or ordering food at a restaurant
Develop scripts or routines for common tasks to reduce anxiety and increase consistency

For teens who use AAC or have limited verbal communication, this might also involve programming personalized phrases like “I need help with my homework” or “Can I have a snack?” into their device. These tools help bridge the gap between intention and expression, giving teens more control over their lives.

Supporting communication for ADLs promotes confidence and sets the foundation for successful transitions into adulthood, whether they plan to live independently, with support, or at home with family.

Vocational Skills: Communication for the Workplace

As high schoolers begin exploring life beyond the classroom, developing vocational communication skills becomes increasingly important. Whether your teen is preparing for a part-time job, an internship, a vocational program, or long-term employment, success in the workplace depends on the ability to understand and express information clearly and appropriately.

Speech-language pathologists help teens build job-ready communication skills that align with real-world expectations. This may include:

Practicing job interview skills, including answering common questions, introducing oneself, and explaining strengths
Learning to follow directions, both verbal and written, in a variety of job settings
Understanding workplace vocabulary, routines, and roles, such as “clock in,” “break time,” or “supervisor”
Developing self-advocacy skills, like asking for clarification, requesting accommodations, or expressing concerns respectfully
Improving social communication, including how to greet customers, take feedback, or collaborate with coworkers

For teens using AAC or who have language-based learning disabilities, SLPs can help customize supports like visual task lists, role-playing scripts, and workplace- specific vocabulary pages within their devices.

Workplace communication is a lifelong skill, and it starts with intentional, age- appropriate instruction during the high school years. By supporting these areas early, we’re not just preparing teens to land a job, we’re empowering them to thrive in it.

It’s Also Not Too Late to Introduce AAC

Another common myth? That Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is only for young children. This couldn’t be further from the truth. AAC tools, ranging from speech-generating devices (SGDs) to picture-based systems, can be incredibly beneficial for teens, too. In fact, many teenagers and adults who are introduced to AAC for the first time experience meaningful progress in communication, independence, and social interaction, often within a short period of time.

ASHA makes it clear: AAC is appropriate at any age, for individuals with complex communication needs, regardless of cognitive level or language abilities. Whether your teen is non-speaking or has limited verbal skills, AAC can be a vital tool in fostering independence and self-expression.

At Playful Paths, we specialize in AAC evaluations that are personalized to the unique needs of each teen. We take into account their learning style, motor skills, literacy level, and communication goals to create an AAC system that fits them best.

It’s never too late to help a student find their voice, whether that voice comes through a speech-generating device, a picture system, or a combination of tools.

References:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2016). *Scope of practice in speech‑language pathology*. https://www.asha.org/policy/sp2016-00343/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.-a). *Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)*. https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/professional-issues/augmentative-and-alternative-communication/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.-b). *Literacy in children and adolescents*. https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Literacy/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.-c). *Social communication disorders in school‑age children*. https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Social-Communication-Disorders-in-School-Age-Children/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.-d). *Speech-Language Pathology Services in Schools: Guidelines for Best Practice*. https://www.asha.org/policy/gl2000-00062/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.-e). *Transitioning youth with disabilities*. https://www.asha.org/slp/schools/transitioning-youth/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.-f). *Clinical services for adolescents and young adults*. https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/clinical-services-for-adolescents-and-young-adults/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2024). *The Value of School‑Based Speech‑Language Pathology Services for Adolescents*. https://www.asha.org/research/ebp/demonstrating-your-value/value-of-school-based-slp-services-for-adolescents/

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2025). *The Value of Speech‑Language Pathology Services for Adults and Adolescents Who Stutter*. https://www.asha.org/siteassets/ebp/dov/adults-and-adolescents-who-stutter.pdf

High Schoolers Still Need, and Deserve, Support

Whether your teen is struggling with expressive language, reading comprehension, verbal processing, or pragmatic (social) language, it’s essential to know that these needs don’t go away on their own. Often, these challenges are not “outgrown” and, if left unaddressed, may even intensify as academic and social expectations increase in high school.

On top of the language challenges, many teens may also face emotional barriers like embarrassment, isolation, or frustration, especially if their needs have gone unsupported in the past. It’s common for high schoolers to feel discouraged or self- conscious about their struggles with communication, which may lead to withdrawal from social situations or a drop in academic performance.

This is where therapy can make a huge difference. We approach our work with respect, empathy, and collaboration, recognizing that each teen is unique. Our therapists use age-appropriate materials and actively include your teen in goal-setting, creating a space where communication can grow without judgment.

SLPs work to foster a judgment-free zone where your teen feels comfortable exploring communication skills, and the process is collaborative and empowering. We focus on their strengths, work on areas of growth, and develop strategies for self- advocacy, independence, and confidence.

In-Home and Telehealth Options Make Access Easier

High school schedules are packed. Between classes, extracurricular activities, and maybe even a part-time job, it can be tough to fit in therapy sessions. That’s why we offer flexible, in-home and virtual speech therapy options that are tailored to fit your teen’s busy routine. Whether it’s in the comfort of your home or through a secure online platform, we can support your teen where they’re most comfortable.

We understand that access and convenience are key, and we want to make sure your teen gets the help they need without disrupting their day-to-day life.

It’s Never Too Late to Start

No matter where your teen is in their journey, remember this:

It’s never too late to help. Not for speech, not for literacy, not for connection, and definitely not for communication.

Whether your teen needs help with essays, conversations, IEP self-advocacy, or finding their voice through AAC, Playful Paths is here to help. Our approach is personalized to each individual’s needs, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed, both in school and beyond.

Let’s Talk About It

At Playful Paths, we believe that communication is more than just speech; it’s about confidence, connection, and having the tools to navigate life. Our therapists are dedicated to helping kids and teens build their communication skills in a way that fits their unique strengths and needs.

Book your free consultation today at https://www.playfulpathstherapy.com/book.

Let’s work together to build your teen’s path to communication, one playful path at a time.

Encouraging Change: Small Wins Make a Big Difference

Remember, change doesn’t always happen overnight. However, even small improvements in communication skills can lead to big changes in a teen’s confidence and independence. Whether your teen is working on articulation, writing essays, or using AAC for the first time, we’re here to support them every step of the way.

By prioritizing communication, you are investing in your teen’s ability to connect with the world around them, a skill that will serve them for the rest of their life.