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We, the students in the speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) program at Shoreline Community College in Seattle, WA, have formed the first SLPA NSSLHA chapter in order to strengthen our program and support our futures as SLPAs.
As we work to become SLPAs, we are deeply concerned about ASHA's pending decision regarding national certification of SLPAs. The profession is endangering itself by continuing to allow SLPAs to practice without training requirements, regulations, or supervision requirements. National accreditation would resolve this.
Our NSSLHA chapter is 40 members strong; most are also members of the Washington Speech and Hearing Association (WSHA). We are active on campus, raising money for literacy projects, conducting hearing screenings for music students, assisting ESL students with "pronunciation," sponsoring snacks for WSHA conferences, and educating others about who we are and what we do.
Graduates of our program will possess skills and knowledge in many areas of speech-language pathology, including development of typical speech/language skills, communication disorders, acquired language disorders, audiology, assistive technology, alternative/augmentative communication, behavioral analysis/management, phonetics, and transcription. Graduates also complete a 10-week internship under the supervision of an SLP. Throughout the program, emphasis is placed upon ASHA's strict ethics and scope of practice for SLPAs.
We must protect the integrity and high standards of this profession. National accreditation through ASHA of SLPA programs and mandatory certification of SLPAs will ensure that these standards remain intact.
We look forward to an exciting future assisting SLPs and, most importantly, making a positive difference in the lives of our students/clients.
David Pozolinski
Seattle, WA
davepozolinski@msn.com
Kellie Hulsebus
Shoreline, WA
KellieRHulsebus@msn.com
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