Remembering Dr. Roberta Elman

Dr. Roberta J. Elman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, passed away on May 29, 2025. A visionary leader in the field of speech-language pathology, Roberta was instrumental in establishing the life participation approach to aphasia and leaves an indelible legacy and impact on the field.

In 1996, she founded the Aphasia Center of California (ACC), a nonprofit organization, where she served as President/CEO and Clinical Director. Under her leadership, the ACC became a nationally and internationally respected model for speech-language treatment, clinical research, and professional training focused on aphasia and other neurogenic communication disorders.

Roberta was an ASHA Fellow, received the Honors of ASHA, and the Honors of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences in acknowledgement of her life’s work.

She earned her Ph.D. in Speech & Hearing Sciences from a joint program at University of California Santa Barbara and San Francisco, and her professional contributions include numerous national and international presentations, publications, including two influential books.

Her life’s work gave voice and hope to those navigating life after stroke or brain injury, and her influence shaped an entire generation of clinicians and researchers.