Gender-Affirming Voice and Communication Services for Transgender and Gender-Diverse People

Working With a Speech-Language Pathologist

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) with experience in gender-affirming care can help you explore your voice and communication style in a safe, supportive setting.

Together, you and your SLP might work on:

• how your voice and communication reflect your identity
• how you express yourself in different places, including at home, work, school, or socially
• how to protect your vocal health, especially as you try new techniques

Other Options to Support Voice and Communication Change

Some people choose surgery and/or hormone treatment, which may change how their voice sounds. An SLP can help you with this process, including:

• understanding your voice and vocal habits before surgery or hormone treatment
• supporting recovery after surgery
• building habits to support your voice’s long-term health

Your SLP will work with you and your care team to support your goals.

What You May Work on With Your SLP

You and your SLP might focus on the following areas together:

• Intonation: how your voice rises and falls when you speak.
• Nonspeech sounds: the way you laugh or cough.
• Nonverbal communication: how you use facial expressions and body language.
• Pitch: how high or low your voice sounds.
• Pragmatics: the social rules of communication, such as how you:
  • adjust your voice or communication in different situations
  • express different emotions
  • deal with multilingual spaces and various cultural situations
• Rate: how fast or slowly you speak
• Resonance: the quality and sound of your voice
• Rhythm: the flow or pattern of your speech
• Speech sound production: how you say sounds
• Volume: how loud or soft your voice is
• Word choice and language: how the language you use reflects your identity

Your Voice, Your Way

Changing how you communicate takes time, practice, and support. Your SLP will be with you every step of the way, helping you find a voice and communication style that feel true to you.

Resources

Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement.

• European Professional Association for Transgender Health (EPATH)
• National Center for Transgender Equality Health Coverage Guide
• United States Professional Association for Transgender Health (USPATH)
• Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA)
• World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)

To find an SLP near you, visit ProFind (select “Gender Affirming Voice and Communication” under “Areas of Expertise” on the left side of the page) or the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Provider Directory Search.

ASHA extends its gratitude to the following subject matter experts for their review and feedback on this content:

Tallulah Breslin, MS, CCC-SLP

Kimberly Dahl, MS, CCC-SLP

Ali Heitzman, MS, CCC-SLP

Sarah Love Penzell, MA, CCC-SLP