LC 1-2004

Abstract: Approve “The Roles and Responsibilities of Speech-Language Pathologists With Respect to Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Position Statement” and rescind the 1991 “Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Position Statement.”

RESOLVED, That “The Roles and Responsibilities of Speech-Language Pathologists With Respect to Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Position Statement” be approved as policy of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; and further         

RESOLVED, That the position statement be published in the next annual Supplement to The ASHA Leader; be posted on the Web site, be made available upon request from the ASHA Action Center, and be included in the next revision of the ASHA Desk Reference; and further

RESOLVED That the LC 11-90 approved “Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Position Statement” be rescinded and replaced by this document.

Rationale: This policy document updates ASHA’s official position with regard to augmentative and alternative communication.  It 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.  The previous document, “Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Position Statement,” was approved in 1991.  The working group determined that it needed to be updated to reflect current practice.