To raise awareness about disorders related to hearing, voice, speech or language, the Fairfax County Health Department joins the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and other organizations in observing National Speech-Language-Hearing Month in May.
Throughout the month, trained personnel from the Health Department's Speech and Hearing program will present free, 30-minute informational sessions at several county libraries. Designed for parents who want to learn more about speech and hearing development, local experts will share signs to look for, tips to support children at home and information about early intervention options. Attendees will have a chance to ask questions and connect with other parents.
Following the information sessions, speech therapists will return to the libraries to offer no-cost speech screenings (testing) for children ages 3 to 7 years. Appointments are required for the free screenings. Use the registration button below the chart.
| Location | Free Workshop Date & Time |
Free Screening Date & Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Culmore Library 6101 Knollwood Dr. Falls Church, VA 22041 |
Thursday, May 1 4:00 p.m. |
Thursday, May 8 1:30–4:30 p.m. |
|
George Mason Regional Library 7001 Little River Tpk., Annandale, VA 22003 |
No workshop at this location |
Wednesday, May 28 1:30–4:30 p.m. |
|
Herndon Fortnightly Library 768 Center St., Herndon, VA 20170 |
Friday, May 9 4:00 p.m. |
Friday, May 23 1:30–4:30 p.m. |
|
John Marshall Library 6209 Rose Hill Dr., Alexandria, VA 22310 |
Saturday, May 17 4:00 p.m. |
Saturday, May 24 1:30–4:30 p.m. |
|
Lorton Library 9520 Richmond Hwy., Lorton, VA 22079 |
Monday, May 12 4:00 p.m. |
Monday, May 19 1:30–4:30 p.m. |
|
Reston Regional Library 11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston, VA 20190 |
No workshop at this location |
Friday, May 30 1:30–4:30 p.m. |
|
Richard Byrd Library 7250 Commerce St., Springfield, VA 22120 |
No workshop at this location |
Saturday, May 24 1:30–4:30 p.m. |
|
Sherwood Regional Library 2501 Sherwood Hall Ln., Alexandria, VA 22306 |
No workshop at this location |
Tuesday, May 20 1:30–4:30 p.m. |
|
Thomas Jefferson Library 7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22042 |
Wednesday, May 21 4:00 p.m. |
Wednesday, May 28 1:30–4:30 p.m. |
For more information about the workshops or the free screenings, call the Fairfax County Health Department Speech and Hearing Services Program at 703-246-7120.
Early detection can make a big difference
A child can quickly fall behind if speech and language learning is delayed. Studies show that when children with speech and language disorders and delays are identified earlier, they make faster progress and have a better chance to catch up to same-aged peers. Signs that indicate a potential need for screening include: children not talking as much as other children their age, trouble pronouncing words, and not responding when called by name.
Speech-Language-Hearing Month observances provide an opportunity to learn about the importance of human communication and what we can all do to prevent and address communication disorders, and to encourage people to think about their own hearing and get their hearing checked. In the United States, at least 46 million people have a hearing or other communication disorder. Approximately 3 percent to 16 percent of U.S. children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 21 experience speech and language disorders. This means that around 1 in 12 children may have a disorder related to voice, speech, language or swallowing.