Condition guide

Social Communication Difficulties

Social communication is about how we use language with other people, not just the words themselves. Some children and adults find conversation, turn taking, and reading social cues harder than expected, including many autistic people. Speech and language therapy can help build practical skills and confidence in a way that respects how each person naturally communicates.

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What social communication means

Social communication is the way we use language with other people: taking turns in conversation, reading tone and body language, understanding what someone means rather than only what they say, and adjusting how we talk depending on who we are with. A person can have clear speech and a strong vocabulary and still find this side of communication hard.

  • In children: difficulty joining in play, taking turns, or keeping a back and forth conversation going.
  • In teens and adults: finding group conversation, interviews, or new social settings draining or confusing.
  • Across both: taking language literally, or missing the unspoken parts of what others mean.

Social communication and autism

Social communication differences are common for autistic people, and support works best when it respects how a person naturally communicates rather than trying to mask it. Therapy is not about changing who someone is. It is about building practical skills and confidence for the situations that matter to them, on their terms. Not everyone with social communication difficulties is autistic, and an assessment helps make sense of the full picture.

How online therapy helps

For many children, the familiar home setting makes it easier to engage, and sessions often coach parents so the practice carries into daily life. For adults, online sessions fit around work and remove the travel. For most speech and language needs, research suggests outcomes comparable to in-person, though the therapist will advise on the right approach for each person. If clarity of speech is the bigger worry, read about unclear speech, or browse our speech and language resources.

Getting Started

How Lingo Works

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Pick a date and time that works for you. No waiting lists, no referrals needed.

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Connect with your therapist via secure video call. No travel, no waiting rooms.

Claim Back the Cost

What it costs, and claiming it back

Sessions start from €65, and you see the exact price on each therapist’s profile before you book. Every session comes with an itemised receipt.

Many private health insurance plans reimburse part of the cost of speech and language therapy, and you may be able to claim tax relief on qualifying medical expenses through Revenue. Cover and eligibility vary, so check your policy and with Revenue.

Trust and Quality

CORU-registered therapists

Every therapist on Lingo is registered with CORU, Ireland’s regulator for health and social care professionals, so you can book with confidence.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is this only for autistic people?

No. Social communication difficulties happen for lots of reasons, and not everyone who has them is autistic. An assessment helps make sense of the picture and what would help.

Is the goal to make my child act less autistic?

No. Good therapy respects how a person naturally communicates. The focus is practical skills and confidence for the situations that matter to them, never masking who they are.

Can social communication therapy work online?

For many people it works well, and the familiar home setting can make it easier to engage. The therapist will talk through whether online suits the individual.

Support with social communication

Book a session with a CORU-registered therapist. No referral, no waiting list.

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