15 ideas for Better Hearing & Speech Month
Celebrate Better Hearing & Speech Month
May is almost here which means that it’s time to start planning activities to celebrate Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM)!
I searched high and low for hospital-friendly BHSM ideas, but most of what I found was geared towards the schools.
I had a burst of inspiration while my grad student was working with a patient one day.
Here’s a list of all of the ideas that I brainstormed. These ideas are geared towards educating other staff members about the field. I hope that this list helps you think about how you want to celebrate BHSM this May!
Better Hearing & Speech Month Activities
Create a flier or bookmark with SLP terms to increase awareness of the SLP scope of practice (aphasia, alexia, agraphia, apraxia, dysarthria, dysphagia…)
Create a cranial nerve or swallowing anatomy/physiology quiz and offer a prize for the most correct answers
Give away an SLP-themed cookie along with a list of fun facts about the field of speech-language pathology
Send out a PDF of printable low-tech AAC boards that PTs and OTs could use when they get stuck communicating with someone with aphasia
Send out a list of memory recommendations to use when patients aren’t completing their home programming
Create a cheat sheet to help PTs and OTs know when to refer patients to speech
Create an SLP flier for PTs and OTs to give to patients after they’ve made a referral so the patient knows what SLPs do
Send out a “Book club” or “podcast club” with interesting books or podcasts related to rehab, living with a disability, etc.
Send out a list of “SLPs making a difference” (e.g., SLPs to follow on social media, new research in the field, etc.)
Create a game using the international phonemic alphabet (e.g., mad lib, word search, matching game)
Send out a link to a communication style/executive functioning quiz that therapists can take for themselves
Send out a list of apps that help anyone stay organized (e.g., Paprika app, TikTik app)
Send out “Get to know us” emails with facts about the department’ SLPs
Make something like a “pin the hyoid on the neck” game to test your colleague’s knowledge of swallowing anatomy
Have people try out AAC devices either to have a conversation, make requests for snacks, etc.(e.g., they have to practice using x3 communication functions with the device in order to get the prize/food/etc.)
I would love to know which ideas are your favorite, and if you use any of them for BHSM this year!