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Abstract:Approve the document entitled “Service Delivery by Speech-Language Pathologists to Individuals Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Knowledge and Skills”
RESOLVED, That “Service Delivery by Speech-Language Pathologists to Individuals Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Knowledge and Skills” be approved as policy of the American Speech-Language Association; and further
RESOLVED, That “Service Delivery by Speech-Language Pathologists to Individuals Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Knowledge and Skills” be published in the next annual Supplement to The ASHA Leader and that it be posted on the professional Web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center and Fax-on-Demand, and be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference ; and further
RESOLVED, That “Competencies for SLPs Providing Services in Augmentative Communication” be rescinded and replaced by this document.
RATIONALE: This document represents the work of the ASHA-Special Interest Division 12, (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) AAC Document Revision Working Group. The working group reviewed existing ASHA policy documents related to augmentative communication and is revising those in need of updating and writing guidelines to complete a family of documents related to augmentative communication. Since the previous document, “Competencies for SLPs Providing Services in Augmentative Communication” was approved in 1988, the working group determined that the knowledge and skills needed to be updated to reflect current practice.
Current knowledge and skills policy documents are in high demand by ASHA members for several reasons. Members in clinical practice and in administrative positions seek national practice policies on which to base their clinical services, staff development or competency assessment programs. These documents also reflect ASHA’s commitment to set high knowledge and skill requirements for certified speech-language pathologists. The document can be used in advocacy with payers or with other professionals and consumers as needed.
OUTCOME(S): This policy document updates ASHA’s official position with regard to the knowledge and skills needed to treat individuals with needs for augmentative and alternative communication. It provides a basis for competency assessment programs developed by ASHA members for their professional practice, and it informs external audiences about the knowledge and skills ASHA expects of its members.
BUDGET IMPACT: Funds for the publication and dissemination of this knowledge and skills document are already included in the operating budget of the Association.
PROGRAMMATIC IMPACT: Approval of this document will update ASHA’s official practice policies with respect to knowledge and skills needed to treat individuals with needs for augmentative communication.
If the resolution is not passed, ASHA will continue to operate with an outdated knowledge and skills document that does not reflect changes in this area of practice.
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