May is Better Speech and Hearing Month. It brings awareness to communication disorders while also recognizing the professionals who help strengthen communication skills and build confidence.
For those working in schools as pediatric speech language pathologists and in student support services, it’s a great time to reflect on how communication impacts nearly every part of a student’s day.
The ability to communicate affects how students learn, build friendships, participate in class, and ask for help when they need it. When speech, language, or hearing challenges make those interactions more difficult, early support can make a meaningful difference.
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), at least 46 million people in the United States live with a communication disorder.¹
National Speech and Hearing Month, formerly known as Better Hearing and Speech Month, is dedicated to raising awareness around communication disorders and the importance of early identification and treatment.¹
The observance also recognizes the professionals and families supporting individuals with speech disorders, hearing loss, language difficulties, and swallowing disorders.
One of the biggest messages during Speech and Hearing Month is the importance of early intervention.
Children develop communication skills quickly in their first few years. When speech or language concerns are identified early, students often have a stronger foundation as they move into school and social environments.²
Sometimes the signs are obvious. A child may have difficulty pronouncing words clearly or expressing thoughts. Other times, the signs are easier to miss. Maybe a student struggles to follow directions, avoids speaking in groups, or becomes frustrated during conversations.
When children receive support early, they can begin developing the tools and confidence they need before communication challenges start affecting other areas of life. Early interventions can be received either by a state-run early intervention program or in the outpatient setting; often both.
Early intervention may help children:
For families, having the right support system also makes a huge difference. SLPs often work closely with parents, caregivers, and teachers, so support can continue outside of therapy sessions.
During National Speech and Hearing Month, it’s important to recognize just how much school-based SLPs support students.
Many people picture speech therapy as simply helping students pronounce sounds correctly. While articulation support is certainly part of the job, school-based SLPs often address a much broader range of needs.
They may work with students experiencing:
And their work rarely happens in isolation. School-based SLPs collaborate with teachers, psychologists, occupational therapists, special education teams, and families to help students succeed in real classroom environments.
In many cases, they help students gain the confidence to participate in class discussions, advocate for themselves, build peer relationships, and engage more fully at school.
In schools, we continue to see just how important early intervention and consistent support can be. School-based SLPs, audiologists, educators, and families all play an important role in helping students communicate more effectively inside and outside the classroom.
As schools continue to see increased student support needs, the demand for qualified speech-language professionals remains strong nationwide.³
A school-based clinical fellowship gives new SLPs the opportunity to apply what they learned academically while gaining real-world experience with mentorship and support.
Clinical fellowships help new SLPs build skills in:
You can learn more about school-based clinical fellowships in this article from Kelly Pediatric Therapy⁴.
One of the reasons National Speech and Hearing Month matters so much is that communication affects nearly every part of a child’s daily life.
When students feel confident expressing themselves, asking questions, or participating in conversations, it can positively impact their relationships, independence, emotional well-being, and classroom experience.
Sometimes progress comes in small moments that may not seem dramatic from the outside.
However, those moments matter deeply to families and providers alike. For an SLP, getting to be part of that progress is often what makes the work so rewarding.
Make a difference in the lives of students. Kelly Pediatric Therapy is placing passionate providers for work in clinics and school districts across the country. We’re committed to delivering both high-quality therapy and an excellent work experience for our providers.
We offer the structure, resources, and mentorship to help you succeed and grow in your career. Earn competitive pay. Enjoy real work-life balance. And know the work you do every day is making a profound impact on our next generation.
As National Speech and Hearing Month reminds us, communication is deeply connected to confidence, connection, and opportunity. The professionals helping children build those skills are making a lasting difference.
Learn more about joining our team.
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