Every voice deserves to be heard

As a speech-language pathologist working in schools that serve diverse communities, I’ve had the privilege of hearing the distinct voices of children from all walks of life. One thing that stands out over time is how naturally speech patterns can vary, not just from child to child, but also from community to community.

These differences aren’t deficits—they're reflections of culture, environment, and identity. In many linguistically and culturally diverse areas, children may grow up in multilingual homes, be exposed to regional dialects, or rely more heavily on community-based language norms. Their speech often reflects the rich fabric of their lived experience—what they hear at home, in their neighborhoods, and local media.

In districts where early learning programs and enrichment opportunities are more readily available, students may develop certain language patterns more consistently, while those in schools with fewer systemic supports often bring unique communication strengths of their own. Some may have limited exposure to formal vocabulary, while others show remarkable creativity in storytelling or strong peer communication skills.

It’s important to note that these differences are not “wrong”—they’re just that: different. As SLPs, we have a responsibility to understand and respect these patterns, meeting students where they are and building from there. Our goal is never to erase a child’s identity or “correct” their culture, but to support communication skills that help them thrive in all settings, from the classroom to the community.

This work has reminded me daily that language is deeply personal. Every voice matters, and every voice deserves to be heard and celebrated.

Madison Wood, M.S., CCC-SLP