Updating ASHA’s Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
ASHA is updating the Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology (hereafter referred to as the Scope of Practice). The Scope of Practice is ASHA’s official policy that defines the breadth of practice for ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs).
Why is ASHA updating the Scope of Practice now?
ASHA last updated the Scope of Practice in 2016. The profession of speech-language pathology has changed in many ways since then. The roles, settings, technologies, and expectations for SLPs have evolved. This update aims to ensure that the Scope of Practice
- accurately reflects contemporary practice;
- supports SLPs across settings; and
- aligns with current evidence, service delivery models, and regulatory realities.
Resolution BOD 1-2026 established the SLP Scope of Practice Task Force to update the Scope of Practice.
What is the timeline for this work?
The work began in 2026. ASHA estimates that the updates will be completed around the end of 2027.
How will the Scope of Practice be updated?
ASHA's Board of Directors (BOD) approved the creation of a Task Force to conduct the update. The Task Force will take the following steps to complete this update:
- Review the current Scope of Practice and related ASHA policies.
- Analyze ASHA-certified SLPs' input collected through an initial survey.
- Draft revisions grounded in evidence, ethics, and professional standards.
- Seek widespread peer review of the updated draft.
- Submit the draft to the BOD for review and approval.
Who is part of the Task Force?
In February 2026, a call for volunteers for the Task Force was posted to ASHA’s website and promoted broadly. We received many highly qualified applications. All applications were reviewed thoroughly, keeping in mind the need to establish a balanced Task Force in areas such as clinical area of expertise, age of population served, practice setting, and years in practice.
The following individuals have been appointed to the Task Force by the ASHA BOD:
Volunteer Members
- Chair: Amber B. Heape, CScD, CCC-SLP, FNAP, CDP
- Current Employment Setting: College/university and skilled nursing facility (SNF)
- State: South Carolina
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Evidence-based practice
- Cognitive-communication disorders
- Continuing education
- Adriane Baylis, PhD, CCC-SLP, F-ASHA
- Current Employment Setting: Pediatric hospital
- State: Ohio
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Cleft Palate
- Resonance Disorders
- Interprofessional Education/Interprofessional Practice (IPE/IPP)
- Sara Bergsma, MS, CCC-SLP
- Current Employment Setting: School
- State: Idaho
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Autism
- AAC
- Advocacy
- Danai Fannin, PhD, CCC-SLP, F-ASHA
- Current Employment Setting: College/university
- State: North Carolina
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Childhood Language Disorders
- Developmental Disorders
- Autism
- Cindy Herdé, SLPD, CCC-SLP, MBSImP, CLC, LSSYB
- Current Employment Setting: Pediatric hospital
- State: Florida
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Swallowing Disorders
- Developmental Disorders
- Interprofessional Education/Interprofessional Practice (IPE/IPP)
- Tamika LeRay, MA, CCC-SLP
- Current Employment Setting: College/university
- State: Washington, D.C.
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Early Intervention (Speech)
- Autism
- Multicultural Issues
- Katherine Maddy, PhD, CCC-SLP
- Current Employment Setting: Academic medical center
- State: Kentucky
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Cognitive-Communication Disorders
- Aphasia
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Tiffany Mohr, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
- Current Employment Setting: Hospital and acute care
- State: Florida
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Swallowing Disorders
- Leadership in the Professions (Local, State, National)
- Ethics
- Kyle Otte, MHS, CCC-SLP, LETRS
- Current Employment Setting: School
- State: Alabama
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Speech Sound Disorders
- AAC
- Autism
- Laura Overton, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-SCF
- Current Employment Setting: School
- State: Texas
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Fluency
- Practice Issues - Schools
- Low Income Populations
- Laura Purcell Verdun, MA, CCC-SLP, F-ASHA
- Current Employment Setting: Nonresidential health care facility
- State: Washington, D.C.
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Voice Disorders
- Practice Issues - Healthcare
- Leadership in the Professions (Local, State, National)
- Angela Riccelli, EdD, CCC-SLP
- Current Employment Setting: College/university
- State: Illinois
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Childhood Language Disorders
- Interprofessional Education/Interprofessional Practice (IPE/IPP)
- AAC
ASHA Staff Members
- Ex Officio: Diane Paul, PhD, CCC-SLP, CAE
- Senior Director, Clinical Services in Speech-Language Pathology
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Child language development and disorders
- Peer-based communication interactions
- Severe disabilities
- Lauren Arner, MA, CCC-SLP
- Associate Director, School Services in Speech-Language Pathology
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Developmental language disorders
- Literacy
- AAC
- Adena Dacy, MS, CCC-SLP
- Associate Director for Health Care Services in Speech-Language Pathology
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Aphasia
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Head and neck cancer
- Language and communication in deaf and hard of hearing individuals
- Disability public health
- Early Intervention
- Kelly Jones, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS
- Clinical Research Associate in ASHA’s National Center of Evidenced-Based Practice in Communication Disorders
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Evidence-based practice
- Disorders of consciousness
- Cognitive-Communication Disorders
- Language and communication in Deaf and hard of hearing adults
- Samantha Moore, MA, CCC-SLP
- Associate Director for Multicultural Practices in ASHA’s Office of Multicultural Affairs
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Adult neurogenic communication disorders
- Tracheostomy and ventilator dependence
- Gerontology
- Person-centered care
- Monica Sampson, PhD, CCC-SLP, CAE
- Chief Staff Officer for Speech-Language Pathology
- Primary Areas of Expertise:
- Adult neurogenic communication disorders
- Bilingualism
- Dysphagia
Staff Support
Project Manager: Cynthia Brennan, BA, CAPM
Program Manager, Speech-Language Pathology
How will SLPs who aren't Task Force members provide input?
ASHA values its members' expertise and experience, and this update will be informed by broad member input.
- Pre-review survey: In January 2026, we surveyed ASHA-certified SLPs and asked them to provide input about the current Scope of Practice and any potential changes that they recommend.
- Peer review: The draft Scope of Practice will be posted on ASHA’s website for widespread peer review when complete (likely in late 2027).
The Task Force will (a) review feedback that it collected during the pre-review survey and peer review phases and (b) use it to identify themes, areas of consensus, and considerations for revision. Although the Task Force will not be able to incorporate every suggestion, all feedback will inform its deliberations.
Questions? Email SLPScope@asha.org.
