Communication Management in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: The Role of the Speech-Language Pathologist during Disease Progression

During the progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices will eventually become necessary to preserve communication between the affected individual with ALS and his or her family members and loved ones. Speech-language pathologists play a critical role in communication management and family education regarding communicative strengths and weaknesses and in determining the need for an alternative mode of communication during the later stages of disease progression. The aim of this paper is to explore the speech-language pathologist’s changing role throughout ALS progression in relationship to the impact that the disease has on speech production and overall communication functioning.