For many people, chatting with coworkers, knowing when to speak up in a meeting, or picking up on social cues comes naturally. But for those with social communication disorders, these everyday interactions can feel like navigating an obstacle course. These challenges can impact job performance, workplace relationships, and overall career growth.
What Are Social Communication Disorders?
Social communication disorders affect the way people use verbal and nonverbal communication in different settings. This can include things like understanding facial expressions, recognizing social cues, or knowing how to adjust conversation styles based on the situation. These difficulties are often associated with conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SCD). People with social communication disorders might struggle with:
- Making and maintaining eye contact.
- Understanding jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language.
- Jumping into or leaving a conversation at the right time.
- Reading body language and tone of voice.
- Adjusting their communication based on the setting or audience.
These aren’t just challenges that kids “grow out of.” While people can develop strategies to navigate social interactions, these differences often follow them into adulthood—especially in professional environments that may not be built with neurodiverse individuals in mind.
How Do These Challenges Show Up in the Workplace?
Workplaces rely heavily on social interaction, so communication challenges can make things tough. People with social communication disorders may struggle with:
- Job Interviews: Understanding unspoken expectations, answering open-ended questions, or demonstrating the level of engagement interviewers expect.
- Workplace Relationships: Difficulty picking up on social cues or office culture can lead to misunderstandings or feelings of isolation.
- Meetings and Teamwork: Struggles with knowing when to speak, staying on topic, or understanding indirect feedback.
- Receiving and Giving Feedback: Misinterpreting constructive criticism or having trouble clearly expressing thoughts to colleagues.
- Professional Growth: Limited networking opportunities and challenges advocating for raises or promotions.
How Can Workplaces Be More Inclusive?
Employers and coworkers can make simple adjustments to create a more inclusive workplace, such as:
- Being Clear and Direct: Avoiding vague or implied instructions and offering written communication when possible.
- Creating Structured Social Opportunities: Encouraging mentorship, scheduled check-ins, or buddy systems to help employees feel supported.
- Allowing Different Communication Methods: Some employees may prefer written communication over verbal interactions.
- Providing Workplace Accommodations: Small changes like offering quiet spaces or allowing extra time for processing information can make a big difference.
- Educating Staff on Neurodiversity: Promoting awareness about different communication styles can foster understanding and inclusion.
How Can Speech Therapy Help?
Speech therapy isn’t just for kids—it can also help adults develop strategies for workplace success. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help with:
- Practicing workplace conversations and social interactions.
- Learning self-advocacy skills, like how to ask for accommodations.
- Improving networking and interview skills.
- Understanding workplace expectations and social norms.
With the right support, people with social communication differences can thrive in the workplace. Creating an environment where everyone’s communication style is valued helps not just individuals, but entire teams and businesses.
If you or someone you know finds workplace communication challenging, speech therapy can help. Reach out to learn more about how we can support success in the workplace!
