Happy National Speech and Language Pathologist Appreciation Day!

May is a meaningful month for many reasons. May 18th is National Speech and Language Appreciation Day, it’s Stroke Awareness Month and Speech and Hearing Month in Canada!

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) dedicates the month of May to raising public awareness about communication health. This year’s theme, "Doing More Than You Think," perfectly captures the depth, breadth, and often overlooked roles that SLPs play — and it's a message that resonates deeply with the work we do at Nia Speech Therapy.

Beyond What Meets the Ear: The S-LP as Communication Intermediary

When people think of speech therapy, they often picture help with stuttering, articulation, or recovery after a stroke — all crucial components of our work. But there’s a lesser-known side to the profession that is just as vital: S-LPs as communication intermediaries, especially in complex legal, healthcare, and justice settings.

In my work at Nia Speech Therapy, I’ve had the honour of supporting individuals with developmental delays, cognitive-communication impairments, and mental health challenges as they navigate systems that were never designed with them in mind. As a communication intermediary, I advocate not just for what my clients want to say, but also how they can say it — safely, clearly, and with dignity. Whether it's in a courtroom, during a legal interview, or in the midst of a team meeting in hospital, my role is to bridge communication gaps that can have life-altering consequences.

“Doing More Than You Think” — Every Single Day

Our work at Nia Speech Therapy isn’t limited to therapy sessions. It’s about equity, advocacy, and real-life communication — in hospitals, courtrooms, job interviews, and family dinners. It’s about giving a voice to people whose voices have been diminished or misunderstood. And it’s about showing that SLPs are not just therapists — we’re partners in justice, recovery, and human connection.

And serendipitously — May is also the birth month of Nia Speech founder, Asha Shelton. It’s a beautiful reminder that this work is not just my profession, but also my purpose!

My purpose is my superpower — and in May, we celebrate it boldly.

Warmly,  

Asha Shelton

Founder, Nia Speech Therapy