Important Notice
Please see Lear’s notice to clients and families regarding an important company change and review the recent rate update. Reach out to your admin or clinician if you have any questions or concerns.
Days in June
Father’s Day – June 21, 2026
Father’s Day is a time to appreciate the love, support, and lasting impact of father figures; whether biological, adoptive, a caregiver, or no longer with us. We wish you a happy Father’s Day!
National Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21, 2026
This day honours the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples of Canada. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the event, which coincides with the summer solstice!
Pride Month
Pride month honours the2SLGBTQIA+ community and promotes equality, visibility, and acceptance. As professionals in speech-language pathology, we strive to create an inclusive and affirming environment for all clients. This involves staying informed; listening to the voices and contributions from individuals in the community.
June is ... Brain Injury Awareness Month!
This year’s national initiative is called “Beyond The Injury” to raise awareness of brain injury and its profound impacts on all aspects of daily life, for individuals and for family/caregivers.
Sara’s Story: “Brain Injury is something I care about professionally, and personally. Working as a Speech-Language Pathologist with brain injury survivors has shaped the way I see communication and I have observed so much strength, humour, and determination in the clients I see. My dad sustained a brain injury three years ago, and watching his journey showed me firsthand how an acquired brain injury can change everyday moments. My dad inspires me in his perseverance and resilience, and I am running this 5K to honour him and the many individuals and families navigating life after brain injury. The more awareness we raise, the more compassion and understanding there is. The more funds we raise, the more access to resources and participation in activities of daily living there is.”
HBIA 5K Around the Bay
Saturday, June 20th, 2026 – Pier 4 Park Hamilton
This event includes a Survivor Walk, Kids Fun Run, 5K Classic Race, and BBQ! Lear Communication will be set up with a booth sponsoring the event, and our very own SLP Sara will be participating in the 5K Classic Race! We’d love to see you there, check out the website and Sara’s team fundraising page to donate to the Hamilton Brain Injury Association (HBIA).
Aphasia Awareness Month
Aphasia is a communication disorder that often occurs after an acquired brain injury, such as a stroke. It can impact speech, language, comprehension, reading, and, writing. These factors make social participation difficult, including contributing to conversations, sharing opinions, following directions, etc.
The most common types of Aphasia are:
- Broca’s Aphasia – non-fluent, in-tact understanding, difficulties producing speech.
- Wernicke’s Aphasia – fluent speech but incorrect or made-up words come out, impaired understanding of language.
- Anomic Aphasia – mild, difficulty retrieving specific types of words (i.e., nouns, verbs).
- Global Aphasia – severe, affects understanding and speech production.
SLPs and CDAs play an important role in supporting individuals with Aphasia rebuild communication skills, learn compensatory strategies, and build confidence. Some supportive conversation strategies that are recommended for family members and communication partners include:
- gestures
- drawing
- writing key words
- visual supports
- yes/no questions
- allowing extra response time
(Adapted from Supported Communication for Adults with Aphasia – SCA)
National Deafblind Awareness Month
Deafblindness can be both a congenital and acquired condition and occurs when a person has a combined loss of both hearing and vision; this combined loss can result in significant difficulties in accessing information, participation, and communication. Support persons for Deafblind individuals, known as “Intervenors”, offer varying levels of support. Sensity, the Deafblind and Sensory Support Network of Canada, offers specialized training aimed at understanding Deafblindness, and providing individualized support.
Nicole Kellar, SLP at Lear on her time working at Sensity:
“I worked with Deafblind individuals providing sighted guide, interpretation and creation of tactile calendars and communication materials, using Tactile American Sign Language to assist with communication, and supporting total communication. We utilized the resources at Sensity’s Paris Resource Centre, such as their group music and exercise lessons, Snoezelen Room, and Sensory Garden. Deafblind individuals can benefit from support services such as music therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.”
During the month of June, awareness campaigns are carried out across Ontario and Canada, including:
- June 1 the CN Tower was lit-up blue
- The Growing Understanding Campaign, encouraging individuals to plant sensory gardens
- A yarning inititative that installs knitted, crocheted, or loomed yard projects in public places. Check out the installation at McMaster Hospital!
Please visit Sensity or CNIB Deafblind Services for more information!
ALS Awareness Month
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a relentless, progressive motor neuron disease that leads to the loss of the ability to move, speak and breathe. Within a few years of being diagnosed, patients have a significant decrease in quality of life, becoming dependent on caregivers. This has a tremendous emotional, financial and psychological impact on patients and their families. Early access to therapy and treatment is vital to preserving communication, mobility, and quality of life. Ongoing funding for ALS research remains crucial in the pursuit of better treatments and one day, a cure.
SLPs can support individuals with ALS with communication supports such as speech-generating devices (AAC), strategies and diet recommendations for safe swallowing, and voice therapy for vocal preservation and breath support.
National PTSD Awareness Day
June 27, 2026
June is observed as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month in Canada. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by exposure to a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, an accident, war, or assault. Coping strategies recommended by PTSD Association of Canada can be found on their website, and include tips for victims and their families such as becoming aware of triggers, seeking therapy, and engaging in activities that make you feel good about yourself. In Speech-Language Pathology, we recognize that communication is deeply connected to emotional safety. Our clinicians create supportive and predictable spaces where clients feel safe to express themselves and rebuild confidence.
International Day of Play
June 11, 2026
This global observance is dedicated to the power, importance and right to play for all children. This year’s theme is “Protect play, protect childhood” which is a reminder to create and defend safe and accessible play environments for children. Here at Lear, we follow child-led play to build connections, support regulation and target therapy goals. We believe that there is no “right” way to play. What’s your favourite way to play?
Autistic Pride Day
June 18, 2026
Autistic Pride means…
- Embracing neurodiversity
- Challenging harmful stimgas
- Celebrating autistic uniqueness and strengths rather than perceived “flaws”.
- Seeing differences in a positive light.
- Uplifting and including the unique and valuable contributions of Autistic individuals.
- Advocating for accessibility and inclusion.
- Listening to Autistic voices.
Did you know?
Autistic Pride Day takes place duirng Pride Month (June). Autistics are 3-7 times more likely to be LGBTQ+ than neurotypicals.