Special Interest Groups News and Announcements

Upcoming Live Online Chats

ASHA Special Interest Group 1, Language Learning and Education, is sponsoring a Live Online Chat October 8, 2013, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, titled "Parent-Implemented Early Intervention."

The following panelists will be available during this live chat to address participant questions about strategies for coaching and supporting parent facilitation of communication skills in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers:

Julia (Julie) B. Stoner, EdD, CCC-SLP, professor, department of Special Education, Illinois State University
Hedda Meadan-Kaplansky, PhD, BCBA-D, assistant professor, Special Education, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
Elaine Weitzman, executive director, The Hanen Centre

ASHA Special Interest Group 12, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, is sponsoring a Live Online Chat October 10, 2013, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, titled "Assessment
That Drives AAC Intervention."

The following panelists will be available during this live chat to discuss assessment strategies that guide intervention for the changing needs of people who already have and are using AAC systems:

Tracy Kovach, PhD, CCC-SLP, private practice, Denver, Colordo
Gail Van Tatenhove, MS, CCC-SLP, private practice, Orlando, Florida
Meher Banajee, PhD, CCC-SLP, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, Louisiana

ASHA Special Interest Group 13, Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia), is sponsoring a Live Online Chat October 21, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EDT, titled "Ethical
Challenges in Dysphagia Management."

The following panelists will be available during this live chat to discuss health care disparities and steps SLPs can take to address these issues:

Paula Leslie, PhD, FRCSLT (UK), CCC-SLP, program director, CScD, associate professor, Communication Science and Disorders Specialist Advisor (Swallowing Disorders) RCSLT, University of Pittsburgh
Mary Casper, MA, CCC-SLP, corporate rehabilitation consultant, HCR ManorCare. Coordinator, Special Interest Group 15, Gerontology

ASHA Special Interest Group 14, Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and LinguisticallyDiverse Populations, is sponsoring a Live Online Chat October 24, 2013, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, titled "Health Care Disparities."

The following panelists will be available during this live chat to discuss health care disparities and steps SLPs can take to address these issues:

Charles Ellis, Jr., PhD, CCC-SLP, assistant professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina
Sharon Williams, PhD, CCC-A, associate professor, Division of Speech and Hearing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Live Online Chats are free and open to all ASHA members. They are not available for CEUs.

Changes to our CEU Formula in 2013

Starting January 1, 2013, ASHA will apply a consistent set of procedures for CEU calculation to all Perspectives. The number of CEUs offered with each SIG's Perspectives self-studies will be calculated in the same way.

For most SIGs, there will be no change in the number of CEUs. For others this change will result in a slightly lower or higher number of CEUs than the former procedures. See more information on these new procedures.

The Special Interest Groups Offer New Benefits in 2012

New in 2012, affiliates of ASHA's 18 Special Interest Groups will be able to access every SIG's Perspectives—that's 200 new articles annually and more than 2,000 archived articles.

Low annual fees are $35/SIG for ASHA members, ASHA International Affiliates, and ASHA Associates and $10/SIG for students (members of National NSSLHA and ASHA members who are full-time doctoral candidates).

Other great benefits include

The opportunity to earn ASHA CEUs for self-study of your SIG's Perspectives for only $5 per issue/exam! Non-affiliates pay a higher fee to earn CEUs
A 50% discount on registration fees for select Convention Short Courses
Discounts on other ASHA continuing education activities
Networking with colleagues on your SIG's exclusive Online Community

Join one or more of ASHA's 18 SIGs today!

Past Online Chats

Special Interest Group 18, Telepractice, sponsored a Live Online Chat on September 25, 2013, on getting started in telepractice.

Special Interest Group 16, School-Based Issues, sponsored a Live Online Chat on September 24, 2013, on using a workload approach in a caseload-driven world.

Special Interest Group 17, Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Related Disorders, sponsored a Live Online Chat on September 21, 2013, on autism around the world, practice models in China and Brazil.

Special Interest Group 6, Hearing and Hearing Disorders: Research and Diagnostics, sponsored a Live Online Chat on August 14, 2013, on auditory training: evidence for neuroplasticity in adults.

Special Interest Group 8, Public Health Issues Related to Hearing and Balance, sponsored a Live Online Chat on May 21, 2013, on changes in hearing health care delivery.

Special Interest Group 2, Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders, sponsored a Live Online Chat on May 16, 2013, on making cognitive connections using cognitive prosthetics and apps.

Special Interest Group 9, Hearing and Hearing Disorders in Childhood, sponsored a Live Online Chat on April 30, 2013, on family support.

Special Interest Group 15, Gerontology, sponsored a Live Online Chat on March 12, 2013, on G-code basics.

Special Interest Group 18, Telepractice, sponsored a Live Online Chat on January 30, 2013, on telepractice basics.

As well as earlier online chats dating from April 2010.

ACE Recipients

Since January 2011, over 1,000 SIG affiliates have received ASHA's Award for Continuing Education (ACE). The ACE recognizes continued professional study and is presented to ASHA members and/or certificate holders who earn 7.0 ASHA CEUs in 36 months. Congratulations!

SIG Restructuring

The Special Interest Divisions are now Special Interest Groups! A letter from ASHA Past President Tommie Robinson was sent to all ASHA members addressing the resolution approved by the ASHA Board of Directors, based on the Task Force report on Division program restructuring and the feedback provided by ASHA members. Frequently Asked Questions and the Task Force Report [PDF] are available online.

Free Sample Issues of Perspectives

Perspectives is the members-only online publication of ASHA's Special Interest Groups. The SIGs have provided open access to a sample issue for each of the publications.

Print This Page