First off what is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). A SLP, also referred to as a speech therapist, is a person who assesses, diagnose, and treat patients with communication or swallowing disorders. Some of the duties of a SLP are to teach the patient how to produce sounds, teach alternative forms of communication, for example sign language, if patient is unable to produce sounds, and to give guidance to the patient and family on how to cope with the communication disorder. A SLP is not limited to a specific age group. It ranges from children in the School District who may have speech delays to   working in hospitals with the elderly who may have lost their ability to speak due to a stroke.

Now that we know what a SLP does we can change direction and go into more depth about the various patients they work with, more specifically with patients who are diagnosed with Autism. The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin defines Autism as a neurological and developmental disorder. It is the most severe form of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is a range of neurodevelopment disorders.

Common signs of patients with Autism include difficulty with social interactions, limited or no verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive patterns. Difficulty with social interactions includes being unresponsive to others, having the inability to respond to their own name, and avoiding eye contact. Children with Autism often have poor social skills, which inhibits their ability to interpret and understand visual cues, such as facial expressions or tone in voice. Communication is also limited. Children with this disorder refer to themselves by their name rather than using "I" or "me" and some use a singing voice to communicate a small range of topics related to their interests. Common repetitive movements include rocking and twirling. Some children with Autism engage in self-abusive behavior, such as biting or head-banging. Patients may also have an obsession with lining up of objects or toys.

The causes of ASD are not concrete. Studies have suggested that abnormalities of the brain may have influenced a disruption in the brain growth in the early stages of fetal development. Genetics and environment can also be contributing factors.

Some Facts about Autism from Autism Society:

• 1 percent of the population of children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder
• Prevalence is estimated at 1 in 88 births
• 1 to 1.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder
• Fastest-growing developmental disability; 1,148% growth rate
• Only 56% of students with autism finish high school

References:

• http://www.chw.org/display/PPF/DocID/22122/router.asp
• http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-1
• http://www.autism-society.org/about-autism/facts-and-statistics.html