Description of Special Interest Groups
Join a Special Interest Group
SIG 1, Language Learning and Education
This Special Interest Group is a vehicle for ASHA members to promote activities related to: (1) the linguistic knowledge and communicative interaction of infants, children, and youth from diverse cultures; (2) how knowledge, interactions, and culture affect language learning and literacy; (3) the ways in which contexts, such as school events, influence children's communication; and (4) assessment and intervention approaches for people with developmental disabilities or speech-language-hearing disorders.
SIG 2, Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders
To be the voice within ASHA that will promote, interpret, and disseminate information that is relevant to neurogenic communication disorders and to serve as a conduit for the exchange of information and ideas among SIG affiliates.
SIG 3, Voice and Voice Disorders
This Special Interest Group offers an opportunity for ASHA members to pursue a common interest related to voice production and voice disorders through continuing education, networking, demonstrations and study sessions. The potential of the SIG is limited only by the imagination of those who join.
SIG 4, Fluency and Fluency Disorders
This Special Interest Group focuses on the study of characteristics and processes related to normal fluency of speech; prevention, assessment, and treatment of fluency disorders, including neurophysiologic, cognitive, psychological, social, and cultural factors.
SIG 5, Speech Science and Orofacial Disorders
This Special Interest Group provides an opportunity for interaction among colleagues concerning specific areas of mutual interest. Affiliate members have a direct voice in addressing issues that impact on their scholarly pursuits and delivery of service.
SIG 6, Hearing and Hearing Disorders: Research and Diagnostics
This Special Interest Group offers the opportunity for basic and applied hearing researchers, who are members of ASHA, to pursue topics of mutual interest within the larger framework of the Association. In addition, we hope that clinical practitioners with an interest in hearing research will join so that they may interact directly with the hearing researchers. In addition to the obvious opportunity to hear first-hand of the latest in research results, this Special Interest Group will provide the forum in which the clinician can suggest areas in need of further research, and perhaps develop productive collaborations with the researchers.
SIG 7, Aural Rehabilitation and Its Instrumentation
This Special Interest Group is dedicated to creating and maintaining a forum allowing clinicians and researchers to affiliate formally with one another to focus on (a) the study, development and application of amplification systems and communication devices, (b) techniques for amelioration of expressive and receptive communication problems in children and adults with hearing impairments, and (c) technology for habilitation of deafened children and adults, such as cochlear implants and vibrotactile aids. The underlying purposes of this SIG are to foster an exchange of information among its affiliates sharing the common interest of aural rehabilitative methodologies and to disseminate this information to other professionals as well as consumers of audiological services.
SIG 8, Public Issues Related to Hearing and Balance
It is the mission of the Special Interest Group of Public Health Issues Related to Hearing and Balance to promote a transdisciplinary approach to addressing public health issues related to hearing and balance. The goal is to be inclusive across the life span and cultural groups, and to address topics including hearing conservation (e.g., military, industrial, recreational), sudden hearing loss, forensic audiology, and epidemiologic and sociologic issues.
SIG 9, Hearing and Hearing Disorders in Childhood
Special Interest Group 9 has as its main focus all areas related to childhood hearing. The mission is to provide a unified voice and advocacy for childhood hearing issues within ASHA. Other functions of the SIG are to permit interaction between members who share the same concerns; to provide for study sections within the SIG, with members of other SIGs, and with members of allied health groups; to provide a forum for demonstration and sharing of new technologies, research, clinical developments, and treatment outcomes; and to provide a vehicle for input into education and training issues related to hearing in childhood.
SIG 10, Issues in Higher Education
The mission of this SIG is to foster development of ever-expanding knowledge of instruction, learning strategies, and curriculum to provide the underpinnings of education and skills for practice of the profession. To foster collaboration among programs, faculty, research laboratories, and administration so that common concerns are addressed and resolved in the best interests of our academic members.
SIG 11, Administration and Supervision
The mission of this SIG is to promote best practices in administration and supervision by serving as the primary resource for leaders, administrators, and supervisors at all levels of professional development, working in a variety of settings.
SIG 12, Augmentative and Alternative Communication
It is the goal of the Special Interest Group for Augmentative and Alternative Communication to promote continuing education for ASHA members at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels; advocate for ASHA membership regarding clinical service needs; and advocate for preservice and inservice personnel preparation in the area of augmentative and alternative communication.
SIG 13, Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)
The mission of the Special Interest Group on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders is to provide leadership and advocacy for issues in swallowing and swallowing disorders and to serve affiliates who evaluate and manage individuals with swallowing and feeding disorders across the lifespan by supporting professional development, research, education, and communication necessary for delivery of the highest quality services.
SIG 14, Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Populations
The mission of the SIG is to provide leadership and advocacy for best practices relating to speech-language pathology and audiology services to members of CLD populations, and research, networking and mentoring opportunities for its members.
SIG 15, Gerontology
Special Interest Group 15, Gerontology is concerned with the interdisciplinary study and communication behaviors and disorders in older individuals. The mission of SIG 15 is to provide an opportunity for members of the Association concerned with the communication problems associated with the aging process to: (a) affiliate with one another to promote specific professional and scientific interests, (b) develop communication and networking in diverse professional and scientific settings, (c) advocate for positive outcomes on issues concerning older individuals.
SIG 16, School-Based Issues
The mission of this SIG is to provide leadership and advocacy through a forum for all speech-language pathologists and audiologists with interests in school-based issues, including clinicians and researchers from schools, universities, and all other settings and to promote the highest quality services within schools by addressing clinical, educational, administrative and legislative/regulatory concerns at local, state, and federal levels.
SIG 17, Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Related Disorders
It is the mission of the Special Interest Group on Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Related Disorders to provide international leadership related to audiology and speech-language pathology services by promoting research, networking, collaboration, education, and mentoring for its affiliates, students, and other service providers in the global marketplace.
SIG 18, Telepractice
It is the mission of the Special Interest Group on Telepractice to provide education, leadership, and advocacy for issues in telepractice, telespeech, and teleaudiology.