The Sound of Progress: Malavika Lal’s Journey in Autism and Speech Therapy
In this thought-provoking DocScopy interview with Malavika Lal, hosted by Dr. Sreelekshmi P from MedBound Times, we delve into her inspiring academic journey and unwavering dedication to the field of speech-language pathology and autism studies. Malavika, who earned 2nd rank in her Bachelor’s in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, is currently pursuing her MSc in Autism at the prestigious University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.
Malavika shares her experiences navigating the challenging yet rewarding path of her academic career, her passion for understanding and supporting individuals with autism, and how her undergraduate foundation shaped her aspirations. Through her journey, she offers insights into the evolving landscape of speech-language pathology and the importance of specialized care in autism studies.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: Before we dive into this interview, would you like to introduce yourself briefly?
Malavika Lal: I am Malavika Lal, a speech-language pathologist with a keen interest in autism studies. I completed my Bachelor’s in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, securing 2nd rank. Currently, I am pursuing my MSc in Autism at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, where I continue to deepen my understanding of communication and behavioral challenges faced by individuals with autism.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: What inspired you to pursue Audiology and Speech Language Pathology as your career, and what do you enjoy most about working in this field?
Malavika Lal: I was a person who wished to be a medical professional from my childhood. When I was in 11th grade I came to know about this particular course, and I researched about it and felt very interesting because it is a rare course. More than that what I felt is, we will be dealing mostly with differently abled population here so, serving them as much as I can is the best service that I can do. Making positive changes in others life to improve their quality of life is the best thing that I enjoy in this profession.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: You’ve done exceptionally well in your studies, from ranking 2nd in your Bachelor’s to now studying Autism. Can you share a key moment that led you to choose this career path?
Malavika Lal: The main thing was curiosity. To know how can we help someone who is having hearing impairment and speech language difficulties. As we know doctors cure diseases with medical and surgical intervention mostly but here we are treating patients without medicine so, this was the thing that led me to choose this path.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: What are some of the most common speech and language disorders you encounter, and what strategies do you use to treat them?
Malavika Lal: I had encountered with several speech and language disorders from pediatric to geriatric population. Among the most common are articulation disorders, stuttering, speech and language delays in children associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Cerebral palsy, Intellectual disability. Aphasia, Dysarthria, Dysphagia in adults.
For children, I have used strategies like play-based therapy, modeling, and parental counselling to promote language development. For adults, I have implemented evidence-based approaches like word-retrieval tasks, compensatory strategies, and functional communication training etc. My focus has always been on individualized care to meet the unique needs of each client.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: How do you assess a patient’s speech and language needs, and how does this assessment guide the treatment plan?
Malavika Lal: The assessment will be carried out based on the protocols by using standardized tests and informal assessment. Observation in functional context is also a main part in the assessment. I also consider the case history and information from caregivers or family.
The assessment will help to identify the current state of the patient and specific strengths and difficulties. Based on this proper treatment plan with specific long term and short-term goals can be made and work accordingly.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: In your experience, what are some of the biggest challenges that people with speech and language disorders face, and how do you help them overcome these challenges?
Malavika Lal: From my experience, adult patients mostly face difficulty with work environment. For example, an advocate who suddenly got a stroke and his speech is affected, it will take time for him to get recovered through therapy, but verbal communication is the main part of his job that might affect their mental health too.
In the pediatric case, mostly kids get bullied in schools and within friends circle if they have any kind of communication issue for example stuttering. Also, I have to address the parents of kids with speech and language disorders, mostly of those with associated conditions, they find it difficult to face the society or show up their kids in the way they are to the society. This is because our community is not that much inclusive.
To overcome these challenges, I used to give counselling to clients and their family members to accept them in a way they are. Also, if necessary, I used to refer them to psychologists to improve their mental well-being.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: How does studying Autism influence your approach to speech and language therapy? Are there any specific techniques you use that you find especially helpful?
Malavika Lal: Autism is one of the main and common conditions that we are seeing around now, so learning more about autism as a whole helps me to widen my knowledge and also, I have started to see that particular condition in a different way. This helps me a lot to change my intervention plans for autistic individuals.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: Why is early intervention important for children with Autism, and how can speech therapy play a role in improving their communication skills?
Malavika Lal: Early intervention is very important because if we start providing therapy in the critical age it will benefit more. As the age progresses the capacity of brain to develop or learn new skills will not be that much active. In speech therapy, we focus on building foundational communication skills, using techniques like visual aids, structured routines, and individualized strategies to support language development. By intervening early, we can help children with autism reach their maximum potential in speech.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: What role does family involvement play in speech therapy, and how do you educate and involve families in the therapy process?
Malavika Lal: Family plays a major role in speech and language intervention because a therapy session will be only 45 minutes, and it will be either daily session or 3 or 4 sessions a week depending on the patient’s condition. This alone won’t benefit the child fully they have to practice whatever we train them in the session at home also. Not only that they have to generalize the learned skills or behaviors in the outside environment too for this parental involvement is a must. Therapists will train the parents regarding the home therapy plans and the strategies to be used.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: What is one common misconception people have about speech and language therapy, and how would you like to correct it?
Malavika Lal: The major misconception is that SLP’s are the ones who teach deaf and dumb children.
To correct this, I would say that speech language therapy deals with many areas like articulation, stuttering, child language disorders, adult language disorders, motor speech disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, cognitive communicative disorders, speech sound disorders, voice disorders, dysphagia or swallowing difficulties etc. We used to assess and give therapeutic intervention for these conditions.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: Stigma around speech and language therapy can be a challenge for many. What do you think contributes to this stigma, and how can we change the perception of speech therapy in society?
Malavika Lal: Stigma around speech language therapy is mainly due to the lack of public awareness. Still, there are people in our society who feel ashamed to tell others that their child is attending speech therapy because the society is not ready to accept differently abled individuals in a way they are, they expect them to be like normal. All the conditions can’t be cured, for example, Autism it can’t be cured, there is no medication for that. Therapies are the only way to help them to learn the skills to manage their life. But there are people who consult some practitioners and who give medication for autism. To change this, we have to improve public awareness regarding the scope of speech language therapy, its role in supporting individuals with a wide range of communication and swallowing difficulties in all age groups.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: What skills or qualities do you think are essential for success in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, especially when working with individuals with Autism?
Malavika Lal: The major skills required are:
Good communication skills
Patience
Empathy
Problem-solving skills
Dedication
Flexibility
Creativity
Teamwork
Cultural competence
Observation skills
Attention to detail
Time management
Adaptability
Technical skills to carry out the tests
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: You balance your studies with hobbies like dancing and singing. How do these activities help you in your studies and work in speech therapy?
Malavika Lal: As I deal with differently abled people mostly, sometimes I might get emotionally affected. So, to overcome such situations and not to affect that in my studies and work life, I used to engage with my hobbies like singing and dancing during my free time at home.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: Studying Autism at the University of Strathclyde must be an exciting experience. How does it compare to your studies in India, particularly in terms of teaching methods, resources, and the approach to the subject?
Malavika Lal: The education systems in India and the UK have significant differences. In India we are used to traditional lecture-based teaching both in theoretical and practical base. In the UK, it is more of critical thinking and independent learning. The classes will be interactive with discussions and group works. Mostly digital learning resources are utilized here.
Dr. Sreelekshmi P: Considering the cultural differences between India and the UK, how do you think the understanding and treatment of Autism and speech disorders differ? How does the cultural context influence your approach to therapy?
Malavika Lal: Due to differences in cultural attitudes, awareness, and resources, autism and speech impairments are understood and treated differently in India versus the UK. In India, where therapy focuses on overcoming social norms and mainly relies on family involvement, there is frequently a lack of awareness and shame. In contrast, the UK has strong support networks through healthcare and education, and it places a strong emphasis on neurodiversity, inclusivity, and evidence-based methods. Therapy is influenced by cultural context, which shapes communication patterns, goals, and responsibilities in the family. In order to effectively help them, I adjust by focusing on cultural sensitivity, increasing understanding, and striking a balance between client-centered care and family expectations.
MedBound Times expresses sincere gratitude to Malavika Lal for sharing her valuable insights on our platform.
