EVERY VOICE MATTERS: SPEECH-LANGUAGE, HEARING MONTH

Helping Every Voice Be Heard: Celebrating Better Hearing & Speech Month

For Better Hearing & Speech Month, Pickerington Local Schools is shining a light on something that shapes every student’s experience—communication.

For Speech-Language Pathologist Ashley Doutt, this work is both professional and deeply personal.

“Better Hearing & Speech Month is one of my favorite times of the year because it gives us the chance to highlight just how important communication is in every part of a child’s life,” Doutt shared. “It’s not just about speech—it’s about connection, confidence, and being able to fully participate in the world around you.”

Across the District, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) support students in a wide range of areas, including speech production, language development, social communication, and fluency. Their work helps ensure that every student—regardless of how they communicate—has access to learning, relationships, and self-expression.

“Every student communicates in their own way,” Doutt said. “Our role is to meet them where they are and give them the tools and support, they need to be understood and to understand others.”

This month also serves as an opportunity to build awareness beyond the classroom. Families and community members play a vital role in supporting communication development—through everyday conversations, patience, modeling language, and creating inclusive environments where all voices are valued.

To help support that effort, Doutt created a community-friendly resource that outlines communication milestones, tips for support, and a deeper look at the role of school-based SLPs.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD RESOURCE FLYER

The District will also continue sharing information throughout the month, including a future feature focused on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), an area where families often have questions.

“At the heart of everything we do is the belief that every voice matters,” Doutt said. “Every student deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported.”