Cerebral palsy often affects the muscles of the mouth and tongue making it difficult or impossible to speak. Communication is just as important as mobility in helping a person with cerebral palsy live an independent lifestyle. Socialization depends on a person's ability to interact with their peers. Since language is the primary form of communication, deficiencies can lead to isolation and depression.

Speech therapists encourage a person having difficulties with language to communicate however possible. Speech and language therapists facilitate communication through speech therapy or by helping people learn to use assistive communication devices. The goal of speech and language therapy is to help a person with cerebral palsy express their ideas and understand those expressed by others. This can be accomplished by learning to use mouth muscles to form words or by learning to use an assistive device, like a computer, to communicate for them.