How the new ASHA-CHSA campaign validates SLP impact and gives practitioners tools to support caregivers
Nine out of ten caregivers whose loved ones were treated by an SLP or audiologist would recommend that care, a YouGov poll released June 23, 2026 found. The figure anchors ASHA and CHSA's "Helping You Communicate" campaign: a public awareness push that puts the daily toll of communication disorders front and center.
The poll documented how breakdowns provoke emotional outbursts and depression, yet daily life improves markedly once a communication professional gets involved. For SLPs, that external validation hits at a critical juncture: communication disorders degree careers span some of the most prevalent health challenges in the U.S., but public recognition still lags.
With SLP employment projected to grow 15% through 2034, campaigns like this do more than educate families. They fuel the advocacy that shapes school staffing, insurance coverage, and the profession's trajectory.
The 'Helping You Communicate' campaign is a public awareness initiative designed to shine a light on communication disorders and the professionals who treat them. Launched on June 23, 2026, it is a joint effort between the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which represents 247,000 members and affiliates, and the Communication Health Support Association (CHSA).1 At its heart is a public service announcement (PSA) that has no set end date, signaling a long-term commitment to changing how the public understands speech, language, and hearing challenges.
ASHA brings decades of expertise in audiology and speech-language pathology, while CHSA serves as a leading national provider of public information, education, and resources about communication disorders.2 By teaming up, the two organizations combine professional credibility with a strong consumer-education focus. The PSA is just the starting point: the campaign is built to stay visible across media channels indefinitely, keeping the conversation alive for caregivers and families who may not know where to turn.
The campaign's central idea is simple but powerful. Communication disorders are some of the most common conditions affecting children and adults in the United States, yet many people do not realize that effective, life-changing help is available. When a child struggles to speak, an adult has trouble swallowing, or a loved one's hearing fades, the entire family feels the impact. The campaign emphasizes that audiologists and speech-language pathologists are trained to identify, assess, and treat these issues, often leading to dramatic improvements in daily life and emotional well-being. By normalizing the search for professional communication support, 'Helping You Communicate' aims to reduce stigma and encourage earlier intervention.
All of the campaign's resources live at helpingyoucommunicate.org, a dedicated website built for both caregivers and the public.2 Visitors will find practical materials like the "How To Help Caregivers/Care Partners" guide, which offers general tips for supporting someone with a communication difficulty. The site also connects families directly to qualified professionals through a link to ASHA ProFind, a directory of 30,000 ASHA-certified audiologists and speech pathologists and audiologists. Social media plays a role, too: the campaign is active on Instagram, where short video reels and shareable posts help spread the word to younger audiences and busy families.3
While much of the content is designed with caregivers in mind, the campaign is not limited to them. Teachers, physicians, extended family members, and even employers can all benefit from understanding how communication disorders affect people's lives. By speaking to a broad audience, 'Helping You Communicate' turns passive awareness into actionable knowledge, whether that means finding a professional, changing how we talk to a loved one, or simply becoming a more patient communicator.
What did the ASHA-commissioned YouGov poll reveal about communication disorders and caregiver experiences? The nationally representative survey, released alongside the campaign on June 23, 2026, uncovered both the heavy burden families face and the life-changing impact of professional speech-language and hearing care.1
One headline statistic stands out: approximately 90% of caregivers whose care recipient received treatment from an audiologist or speech-language pathologist said they would recommend that professional to others in a similar situation.1 That level of trust speaks volumes about the difference SLPs and audiologists make every day.
The poll found that communication breakdowns are a pervasive caregiving barrier. When a loved one struggles to express needs or understand conversations, caregivers experience a cascade of difficult emotions. Respondents cited emotional outbursts, frustration, sadness, depression, and a persistent sense of helplessness. These feelings don't just add stress; they strain the entire caregiving relationship and erode quality of life for everyone involved.
The data offers a powerful counterpoint: daily life improved significantly after care recipients received help from an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.1 Families reported smoother interactions, fewer misunderstandings, and a renewed sense of connection. This shift from isolation and distress to functional communication highlights the essential role SLPs play in restoring dignity and independence.
ASHA commissioned the poll through YouGov, an independent, third-party research firm. This matters because it elevates the findings beyond anecdotal evidence or internal association data. When SLPs share these statistics with families, administrators, or policymakers, they aren't selling themselves , they're leaning on objective, nationally validated proof of their field's impact. For an SLP, the poll serves as both validation and a conversation starter, reinforcing that common speech-language disorders can devastate daily life and respond meaningfully to expert care.
The poll also quantified just how widespread these challenges are. Communication disorders rank among the most common conditions affecting children and adults in the United States, yet they often go unrecognized or untreated. By putting numbers to the caregiver experience, the YouGov survey helps move communication health into the spotlight, where it belongs.
The 2026 ASHA and CHSA "Helping You Communicate" campaign is backed by a national YouGov poll revealing the profound impact of communication disorders on caregivers and the high value placed on speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
For speech-language pathologists, the 'Helping You Communicate' campaign serves as a powerful megaphone, amplifying the often unseen work they do every day. It translates complex clinical roles into relatable human stories, helping families, caregivers, and the broader public understand the transformative power of communication intervention. This national effort is not just another PSA; it is a strategic move to position SLPs as essential partners in care and to reinforce the value that communication health brings to daily life.
Too often, the role of a speech-language pathologist is misunderstood or reduced to articulation drills. This campaign pushes back against that narrow view by showcasing the breadth of SLP practice, from swallowing disorders in the NICU to cognitive-communication strategies after a stroke. When a public service announcement runs without a scheduled end date, it creates a sustained drumbeat of awareness that can reach new graduates exploring the field, families unsure where to turn, and health systems rethinking their care teams.
The campaign leans on fresh polling data that resonates directly with clinicians. The finding that roughly 90% of caregivers would recommend an SLP or audiologist after their loved one received treatment is more than a statistic; it is an affirmation of the relational and clinical skills that practitioners bring to every session. For SLPs navigating productivity pressures or insurance hurdles, this kind of external validation can reignite a sense of purpose and provide a compelling talking point during IEP meetings, discharge summaries, or community presentations.
Beyond morale, the campaign gives SLPs concrete resources to share. The caregiver-focused messaging and companion toolkits equip clinicians with ready-made education materials. When a family is reeling from a new diagnosis, handing them a polished, trustworthy resource from a national organization lightens the counseling load and builds confidence in the care plan. It also helps SLPs advocate for their services internally, linking daily therapy work to a visible, nationwide movement.
The campaign dovetails naturally with ASHA's ongoing efforts to support the SLP workforce and promote communication health. It reinforces the message that addressing communication disorders is not a niche concern but a central component of health, education, and community participation. SLPs interested in how these advocacy efforts connect to public health speech-language pathologist roles will find this campaign a clear example of profession-wide outreach. This alignment helps individual practitioners feel part of something larger, connecting their everyday caseload to a coordinated, profession-wide push for recognition and access.
Communication disorders are among the most prevalent health issues in the U.S., but public awareness remains critically low. This gap often delays diagnosis and treatment. The Helping You Communicate campaign, a joint effort by ASHA and CHSA, directly addresses this disparity, promoting communication health as a central part of overall well-being.
The Helping You Communicate campaign offers a powerful narrative, but turning that narrative into everyday practice requires knowing exactly what materials exist and how to adapt them for different settings.
SLPs in clinical environments can immediately integrate the campaign's PSA video into waiting areas or treatment rooms, using it as a conversation starter with caregivers about the importance of early intervention. The video reinforces the real-world impact SLPs have, validated by poll data showing that daily life improved significantly for care recipients after treatment.1 During evaluations or discharge planning, share the campaign's caregiver tip articles, available at helpingyoucommunicate.org. These articles offer accessible advice that families can use at home, reinforcing therapy goals and building caregiver confidence. While downloadable posters are not yet available from the campaign,1 clinics can create their own simple printouts featuring key statistics from the ASHA-YouGov poll, such as the 90% caregiver recommendation rate, to post in reception areas.
School-based SLPs face the ongoing challenge of helping teachers, administrators, and parents understand the SLP scope of practice. Use the PSA as a quick, compelling opener during parent education nights or staff in-services to illustrate why speech-language services are essential. For IEP meetings, pull caregiver poll insights, such as the finding that communication breakdowns lead to emotional outbursts and frustration, to help teams recognize the broader impact of untreated disorders on a child's social and academic life.1 While the campaign does not currently provide ready-made school packets,1 SLPs can pair the campaign's messaging with ASHA's Advocacy Roadmap Toolkit, which includes sample scripts and elevator pitches tailored for early intervention settings.2 A simple handout summarizing poll findings and listing local resources can bridge the gap.
The campaign's caregiver recommendation data is a potent advocacy tool. SLPs can share the PSA and poll highlights on their professional social media profiles, tagging local community groups and healthcare partners. Present the data at school board meetings, healthcare administration briefings, or state association events to underscore the demand for speech-language pathology services. The long shelf life of the PSA, which has no end date,1 makes it a flexible asset for ongoing awareness efforts. Direct colleagues to helpingyoucommunicate.org to access the video and caregiver resources, and supplement with ASHA's Advocacy Roadmap materials for structured talking points.2
While campaign-specific multilingual posters and graphics are not yet released,1 SLPs can use ASHA's existing Spanish Resources Portal, which covers communication milestones and disorders, to serve Spanish-speaking families.4 The Read Aloud Toolkit includes seven handouts in both English and Spanish, making it a practical supplement during caregiver education.3 When discussing the campaign with culturally diverse groups, consider pairing the PSA with these Spanish-language materials to ensure broader accessibility. For school settings, the ASHA Career Recruitment Toolkit's "Multilingualism Matters" poster can reinforce the value of bilingual SLP materials, aligning with the campaign's message about the critical role of communication professionals in diverse communities.5
The ASHA-YouGov poll found that communication breakdowns commonly trigger emotional outbursts, sadness, and feelings of helplessness among caregivers. In response, the 'Helping You Communicate' campaign places practical caregiver resources at the center of its outreach, equipping families with strategies that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can readily share in clinical settings.
Developed by ASHA and CHSA, the campaign's caregiver toolkit includes downloadable tip sheets, short video demonstrations, and one-page communication strategy guides. These materials are designed to be used during everyday interactions, whether at the dinner table, during mealtime, or while managing a morning routine. The toolkit emphasizes simple, repeatable techniques that reduce frustration for both the care recipient and the caregiver.
Key resources address: - Simplifying language: using shorter sentences, emphasizing key words, and pausing between ideas. - Visual supports: introducing picture boards, choice cards, or written cues to supplement verbal communication. - Environmental adjustments: reducing background noise and facing the person when speaking. - Validation techniques: acknowledging the care recipient's attempts to communicate, even when clarity is limited.
One of the most immediate strategies SLPs can model for caregivers is simplifying their own language. Research included in the campaign materials shows that when caregivers slow their speech rate and use concrete vocabulary, communication success improves. Visual supports, like a simple board with pictures of common items, give individuals with autism speech therapy needs, aphasia, or developmental delays a reliable way to express needs without relying on spoken words alone. The toolkit includes printable templates that SLPs can customize for a client's specific daily routines.
The poll revealed that communication breakdowns often escalate into emotional outbursts or withdrawal. The caregiver toolkit directly addresses this by offering de-escalation scripts and emotion-regulation prompts. For example, caregivers are encouraged to acknowledge the emotion first ("I see you're upset") before redirecting to a communication attempt. SLPs can role-play these scenarios with families during sessions, making the strategies feel natural in real-life moments of stress.
While the campaign does not strictly separate materials for pediatric versus adult populations, the strategies are flexible enough to suit both. For children, the emphasis tends toward play-based visual schedules and simple choice-making. For adults, particularly those with acquired speech-language disorders, the toolkit highlights supported conversation techniques and memory aids. SLPs are encouraged to select the elements that best fit the care recipient's age, cognitive level, and daily context.
The "Helping You Communicate" PSA is available online now and was launched on June 23, 2026, as a joint effort between ASHA and CHSA to raise awareness about communication challenges among caregivers.1
The PSA can be viewed on the official campaign website, helpingyoucommunicate.org. It is also hosted on ASHA's and CHSA's YouTube channels and shared across their social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Through the MultiVu distribution service, the PSA is placed on television broadcast stations, cable systems, and streaming platforms, ensuring it reaches viewers in a variety of settings.1 This broad placement helps normalize conversations about communication disorders and directs caregivers to seek professional help.
MultiVu's network distributes PSAs to hundreds of newsrooms, online outlets, and community media partners, maximizing visibility. The digital-first format allows the PSA to be embedded on practice websites, included in newsletters, and used during presentations. The PSA also appears on digital billboards and in-stream video ads, extending its presence into daily online activity. For SLPs interested in SLP blogs and online communities, sharing the campaign through those channels can further amplify its reach.
Unlike short-term campaigns, this PSA carries no expiration date. It serves as a long-term educational tool that SLPs and caregivers can access repeatedly. Its evergreen content remains relevant for promoting communication health awareness over time.
SLPs can help extend the PSA's reach by sharing it through their own channels. Here are simple ways to participate:
The 'Helping You Communicate' campaign arrives at a time when the need for speech-language pathologists is rising sharply. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, SLP employment is projected to grow 15% between 2024 and 2034, much faster than the national average. Public awareness initiatives can accelerate this trend by increasing referrals from caregivers, educators, and physicians who recognize communication disorders as treatable conditions.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Employment (2024) | 178,790 |
| Median Annual Wage | $95,410 |
| 25th Percentile Wage | $75,310 |
| 75th Percentile Wage | $112,510 |
| Projected Job Growth (2024-2034) | 15% |
| Projected New Jobs (2024-2034) | 28,200 |
| Annual Openings (2024-2034) | 13,300 |
A campaign like Helping You Communicate does not just educate the public: it builds recognition for the entire field. With increased awareness comes stronger advocacy, which can lead to better funding, more school-based positions, and wider insurance coverage for speech-language pathology services.
Below are answers to common questions about ASHA's new public awareness initiative, the 'Helping You Communicate' campaign. These cover the campaign's purpose, key research findings, and ways SLPs can get involved.
