Why Speech-Language Pathologists Are Perfect for Treating Reading Difficulties in Children
When a child struggles with reading, parents often wonder: Who is the right professional to help? While tutors and reading specialists play important roles, one of the most highly trained—and often overlooked—experts in children’s reading development is the speech-language pathologist (SLP).
As someone who has spent nearly a decade working with children of all abilities—especially those with autism, language delays, speech sound disorders, and early literacy challenges—I’ve seen firsthand how much a language-based approach can transform a child’s confidence and skills.
Here’s why SLPs are uniquely suited to support children with reading difficulties:
1. Reading Is Built on Spoken Language — and SLPs Are Language Experts
Reading isn’t just recognizing print on a page. It’s the process of connecting letters to sounds, combining sounds into words, and understanding what those words mean.
SLPs specialize in spoken language—sound production, vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and expressive communication. These are the exact foundations children need to become successful readers.
In my practice, I often meet children who appear to have reading problems, but the real challenge is deeper: difficulty understanding language, recalling information, or organizing their thoughts. Once we strengthen the underlying language system, reading becomes so much more accessible.
2. SLPs Are Highly Trained in Phonological Awareness and Sound Structure
One of the strongest predictors of reading success is a child’s phonological awareness—the ability to hear and manipulate the sounds in words.
Because I also treat articulation and phonological disorders, I get to connect the dots between how a child produces sounds and how they later read and spell those same sounds. This dual lens helps me pinpoint why a child may struggle with blending, segmenting, or sounding out words—even when it isn’t obvious on the surface.
3. SLPs Treat Speech Sound Disorders That Can Interfere With Reading
Many of the children I work with have speech sound patterns that directly affect literacy. A child who says “tat” for “cat” or leaves off final sounds may also have trouble recognizing those sounds in print.
SLPs can correct the speech pattern and build corresponding reading skills at the same time. This is where therapy becomes incredibly efficient and personalized.
4. SLPs Address Comprehension, Not Just Decoding
Reading is more than sounding out words—it’s understanding them.
I spend a lot of time helping children:
Build vocabulary
Understand sentence structure
Retell stories
Make predictions and inferences
Connect what they read to what they already know
This is especially powerful for my neurodiverse learners, who often benefit from a structured yet play-based approach that makes comprehension feel meaningful and fun.
5. SLPs Are Skilled at Working With Neurodiverse Learners
As a Certified Autism Specialist and a provider who uses a play-based, individualized approach, I work daily with children who learn best when their strengths, sensory needs, and communication profiles are honored.
Many of these same children also struggle with attention, reading fluency, or comprehension. By integrating therapy strategies that support regulation, engagement, and joint attention, literacy instruction becomes more accessible—and less frustrating—for them.
6. SLPs Use Evidence-Based Interventions Backed by Research
From structured literacy approaches to systematic phonological awareness training, SLPs are required to use evidence-informed techniques. This means:
No “guessing” what might work
No one-size-fits-all programs
Every activity is chosen because it fits the child’s developmental profile
In my practice, this allows me to tailor treatment to each child—whether they need foundational sound awareness, support with grammar and sentence structure, or more advanced comprehension strategies.
7. SLPs Collaborate With Families and Teachers
One of my favorite parts of private practice is getting to collaborate closely with parents and teachers. When home, school, and therapy communicate well, children make faster and more meaningful progress.
I regularly:
Share strategies with parents
Coordinate with teachers
Help adapt school reading expectations
Provide tools families can use during nightly reading routines
When everyone works together, kids feel more supported—and more confident.
The Bottom Line
SLPs look beyond the surface of reading struggles. We identify why a child is having difficulty and build a plan that supports the whole child—their language, their communication style, their strengths, and their learning needs.
If your child is showing signs of reading difficulty—whether it’s trouble with sounds, slow phonics progress, or challenges understanding what they read—working with an SLP can be an incredibly effective step toward stronger, more confident reading skills.