A speech-language pathologist (SLP) may be one of the initial clinical providers for a patient with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a group of neurodegenerative diseases involving the selective, progressive deterioration of speech and/or language abilities. While the three primary subtypes of PPA have distinct profiles of language preservation and impairment, the process of identifying the subtype can be challenging for many reasons, including subtle initial symptoms which can be difficult to detect on standard testing batteries. Early and accurate subtyping is important for clinical and research applications, which we will discuss here. The SLP plays a critical role in the initial subtyping process, as well as in helping to confirm that the course and presentation are consistent with a root diagnosis of PPA, as opposed to normal aging or other etiologies. The involvement of the SLP over time then focuses on monitoring symptom severity and progression, which is a particularly relevant issue for this population. The SLP can apply this information to inform treatment planning and patient/family counseling, and to assess potential benefits from interventions including conventional and novel speech therapies, and pharmaceutical treatments as they become available.