The Wave | December 2025 Issue

A Year-End Message from Margaret Drent, Registrar and CEO

As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you, Ontario’s audiologists and speech-language pathologists, for the dedication you bring to your work every day. Your commitment to safe, high-quality care makes a real difference for patients and families across the province, and it does not go unnoticed.

For more than 30 years, CASLPO has been here to support you in this important work. This year, we were pleased to introduce our new 2025–2029 Strategic Plan which will guide the College over the next four years. At the heart of our plan is a single, overarching goal: Deepening Trust, Equity, and Responsiveness. This reflects our commitment to continue to evolve and strengthen how we regulate, communicate, and lead – and we look forward to working alongside you as we bring this vision to life.

One of the highlights of the year was the Board’s Education Day on September 18, where we heard directly from caregivers and family members who shared their stories and experiences with the public lens of having received services from CASLPO registrants in various settings. The Board also heard from the renowned author, public speaker, and hearing health advocate Gael Hannan, who shared her lived experience as a person with hearing loss. The theme, The Patient and Family Experience, was a powerful reminder of the difference you make each day and the lasting impact your care has on patients and their loved ones.

We also continue to hear directly from patients who want to share their appreciation. One recent note described feeling truly supported at every stage of care — from timely communication and unrushed appointments, to feeling genuinely valued as an individual. Members of the public told CASLPO that their clinicians consistently “went above and beyond” and that their care felt like it was “more than just a job.” Stories like these highlight the compassion, professionalism, and dedication you bring to your practice.

As the holiday season approaches, we wish you and your loved ones peace, joy, and well-deserved time to rest and recharge. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to safe, ethical, patient-centred care.

Please note that the CASLPO office will be closed from noon on December 24, 2025, to Friday, January 2, 2026

Happy Holidays from the staff and Board at CASLPO!

Supporting Patient Communication Through AAC: Why Timely Referrals Matter 

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) helps support individuals whose language and/or speech are not yet functional or consistent, as well as those who have lost communication abilities. AAC provides a reliable way to communicate, through symbols, gestures, communication boards, or technology, helping people stay independent, participate in daily life, and improve their quality of life. 

For adults with temporary, long-term, or degenerative communication challenges, AAC reduces isolation and frustration. For children who are non-speaking or partially speaking, it can also support learning, communication, and social interaction.  

That’s why timely referrals and early introduction of AAC can make a meaningful difference. Providing AAC tools “in the now” helps individuals communicate immediately, even as other therapies continue to support speech and language development.  

Pediatric AAC Referrals 

Despite the clear benefits, referrals to AAC-trained speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or Assistive Devices Program (ADP) clinics are sometimes delayed. Some people believe that only certain SLPs, like those in schools or specialized clinical programs, can make AAC referrals. In fact, any SLP can make a referral. Delays can mean longer wait times, missed opportunities for early intervention, and unnecessary frustration. 

Some families, eager to support their loved one, may buy AAC devices on their own, without professional support or knowledge of funding programs like ADP. SLPs are responsible for letting families know about programs like ADP, which can help cover costs. Without a proper assessment, these self-purchased devices may not fit the patient’s needs, leading to wasted money and less effective outcomes. 

How SLPs Can Help

As regulated health professionals, SLPs share responsibility for helping patients access the supports they need and providing them with information about publicly funded options to avoid any conflicts of interest. This includes knowing about and referring to publicly funded services, such as AAC consult services, and individual authorizer, general level and expanded level ADP clinics, AAC teams, and other community-based programs. Just as child-focused providers are familiar with school-based rehabilitation services and encourage families to access these publicly funded resources, SLPs working with patients who may benefit from AAC should be knowledgeable about AAC access.  

Staying up to date is important: AAC tools and best practices are evolving quickly. Pursuing continuing education, consulting with experienced colleagues, and proactively connecting patients to the right resources, all help prevent delays. Collaborating with interdisciplinary professionals, like occupational therapists and vision consultants, helps reinforce a comprehensive AAC assessment and support once the tools are in place.  

Providing every patient with a reliable way to communicate, whether through speech, AAC, or a combination, is central to equitable, person-centred care. By staying informed, collaborating across settings, and referring without delay, SLPs can help patients communicate effectively and live more independently.

CASLPO is Seeking Your Input on AI in Practice

In response to the rapidly evolving clinical environment, and in line with actions taken by other health regulators, CASLPO is developing formal guidance for registrants on the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in practice. This guidance will support safe, high-quality, and ethical care for patients.

As we develop the guidance, we would greatly appreciate your insights on current trends and issues related to the use of AI in practice. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us create guidance that is practical, relevant, and applicable to your day-to-day work.

If you have any questions about AI or its use in practice, please reach out to CASLPO’s Practice Advice Team.

We look forward to your responses and working together to ensure AI is used responsibly and effectively in patient care.

Share your feedback in CASLPO’s survey on AI use by January 31, 2026.

Participate in CASLPO's Survey on AI Use