May 1st, 2025

Speech and Hearing Month is a time to raise awareness and celebrate the excellent work of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB):

  • Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP)
  • Communicative Disorders Assistants (CDA)
  • Hearing Services staff

Every day, these staff help WRDSB students communicate and engage in learning.

Supporting Students

In the WRDSB, SLPs and CDAs support students in Kindergarten to Grade 2 with a range of communication needs. Effective communication skills support students in:

  • Accessing the curriculum
  • Participating in school and engaging in social relationships
  • Reading

All schools have access to Speech-Language Pathology Services. Elementary schools are assigned an SLP. Additionally, SLPs and CDAs offer support to students with varied and complex needs. These services are responsive to students with varied communication skills. This includes those who are beginning to communicate.

In the WRDSB, SLPs and CDAs support reading and writing. They are fundamental pillars of effective communication and essential skills for academic success.

Most students with hearing loss attend their home school, with support from specially trained itinerant staff and a board audiologist. Itinerant teachers and EAs work directly with students helping them access curriculum and the board audiologist assists with hearing equipment.

Recognizing Speech and Hearing Month

How you can take action or learn more about Speech and Hearing Month:

  • Reach out to the people in your life that you love, just to chat
  • Work on a communication skill that you currently find difficult
  • Spend time with the people in your life who find it difficult to communicate due to hearing loss or language disorders
  • For children under 11: Kids’ Contest from Speech-Language & Audiology Canada
  • Visit speechandhearing.ca for more information on Speech and Hearing Month

Join the Conversation

You can join us in recognizing Speech and Hearing Month on social media. Share the difference staff are making for students, and tag @WR_DSB on Instagram.

SLPs, CDAs and Hearing Services staff are an integral part of our education system. Join us as we celebrate the important work they do for students, families, educators and the community.

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