American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Special Interest Groups

About Special Interest Group 1, Language Learning and Education

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Special Interest Group on Language Learning and Education to support children and adults with developmental language disorders and their families by:

  • providing clinicians and researchers with resources and education related to language development and disorders;
  • promoting excellence in evidence-based clinical practice with children and adults with developmental language disorders and their families;
  • promoting the development and dissemination of basic and applied research in language development and disorders;
  • advocating for professionals specializing in child language clinical practice and research.

Topics

Issues that Relate to Children and Adults Across the Age Ranges

  • Multicultural issues
  • Cultural/linguistic diversity in language learning and effects on literacy learning
  • Research strategies for studying children with language or phonological disorders who also speak English as a second language or a vernacular dialect of English
  • Policy and service delivery issues related to cultural/linguistic diversity in educational and other settings
  • Research strategies for studying the efficacy of educational/intervention processes
  • Efficacy of alternate service delivery models

Focus Area 1. Zero to Two and Early Childhood

  • Methods for identifying children at risk for language disorders
  • Early communicative development, emergent literacy, and the changing role of the speech-language pathologist
  • Severity ratings and eligibility criteria for preschool children
  • Policy and service delivery issues for young children with developmental disabilities or atypical language learning
  • Early phonological development

Focus Area 2. School-Age Children and Youth

  • Literacy, learning strategies, and school success
  • Educational reform and inclusion
  • Severity ratings and eligibility criteria for school-age children
  • Changing roles of the speech-language pathologist in language and literacy learning
  • Research strategies for the study of language learning, including phonology
  • Policy and service delivery issues for school-age children with atypical language learning
  • New competencies for professional preparation, retraining, and specialization
  • New models for linking assessment with intervention

Affiliate Benefits and SIG Programs

Perspectives on Language Learning and Education

Perspectives on Language Learning and Education is the SIG's online publication, published by ASHA with HighWire Press. Perspectives is published 4 times annually in January, March, July, and October. SIG 1's Perspectives issues are offered for self-study to earn CEUs. Perspectives on Language Learning and Education features:

  • News of SIG activities
  • The latest on research and clinical topics
  • Coverage of current professional, practice, and legislative and regulatory issues

Online Chats

SIGs sponsor live online chats. These events feature topic experts who answer questions from the audience. All ASHA and NSSLHA members may attend. Live online chats are not eligible for CEUs. Archived chats can be accessed online.

Continuing Education

  • The SIG sponsors a Short Course and a seminar at the annual ASHA Convention.
  • Perspectives contains continuing education articles. Readers may earn ASHA continuing education credit by completing self-study questions related to those articles. SIG affiliates may complete the self-study for a $5 processing fee.
  • Short Course: SIG affiliates are eligible for a 50% discount on select Short Courses at the ASHA Convention.

Networking

SIG affiliates have the opportunity to identify others with interest in language learning and education:

  • SIG 1 has an online community where affiliates can discuss topics related to language learning and education.
  • SIG 1 holds an annual affiliate meeting at the ASHA Convention.

Representation Within ASHA

  • The SIG 1 Coordinator represents the Language Learning and Education Special Interest Group within the ASHA Board of Special Interest Group Coordinators.
  • The Coordinating Committee responds to ASHA requests for input regarding policy, guidelines, committees, and other issues.
  • Affiliates have the opportunity to provide input to the SIG leadership and ASHA.

Coordinating Committee

Members

SIG Coordinator: LaVae Hoffman, University of Virginia
Associate Coordinator: Lisa Hammett Price, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Perspectives Editor: Donna Boudreau, Portland State University
Erin Taylor, Special School District of St. Louis
Geralyn Timler, Miami University
Ex Officio: Susan Karr, Associate Director, Schools Services in Speech-Language Pathology, ASHA

Additional SIG Volunteers

Perspectives Associate Editor: Brenda Beverly, University of South Alabama
CE Content Manager: Erin Taylor-Stone, Special School District of St. Louis
Editorial Review Board

Staff Liaison for Communications

Tori Koulakjian, Editorial Assistant, ASHA

Board Liaisons

Donna Fisher Smiley, Vice President for Audiology Practice
Gail J. Richard, Vice President for Speech-Language Pathology Practice

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