The American Speech–Language–Hearing Association (ASHA) is a
professional association
A professional association (also called a professional body, professional organization, or professional society) usually seeks to advocacy, further a particular profession, the interests of individuals and organisations engaged in that professio ...
for
speech–language pathologists,
audiologists
Audiology (from Latin , "to hear"; and from Greek , ''-logia'') is a branch of science that studies hearing, balance, and related disorders. Audiologists treat those with hearing loss and proactively prevent related damage. By employing various ...
, and
speech
Speech is a human vocal communication using language. Each language uses Phonetics, phonetic combinations of vowel and consonant sounds that form the sound of its words (that is, all English words sound different from all French words, even if ...
,
language
Language is a structured system of communication. The structure of a language is its grammar and the free components are its vocabulary. Languages are the primary means by which humans communicate, and may be conveyed through a variety of met ...
, and
hearing
Hearing, or auditory perception, is the ability to perceive sounds
In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid.
In human physiology and psycholog ...
scientists in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
and internationally. It has more than 218,000 members and affiliates.
The mission of the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association is to promote the interests of and provide the highest quality services for professionals in audiology, speech–language pathology, and speech and hearing science, and to advocate for people with communication disabilities.
The association's national office is located at 2200 Research Boulevard,
Rockville, Maryland
Rockville is a city that serves as the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, and is part of the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. The 2020 census tabulated Rockville's population at 67,117, making it the fifth-largest community in ...
. The organization also has an office on Capitol Hill.
Vicki R. Deal-Williams is currently serving as the association's chief executive officer.
History
ASHA was founded in 1925 as the American Academy of Speech Correction. The current name was adopted in 1978.
Council for Academic Accreditation
The Council for Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech–Language Pathology (CAA) is the accreditation unit of the ASHA. Founded over 100 years ago by American universities and secondary schools, CAA established standards for graduate program accreditation that meet entry-level preparation in the speech and hearing field. Accreditation is available for graduate programs with a master's degree in Speech–Language Pathology or clinical doctoral program in
audiology
Audiology (from Latin , "to hear"; and from Greek , ''-logia'') is a branch of science that studies hearing, balance, and related disorders. Audiologists treat those with hearing loss and proactively prevent related damage. By employing various ...
.
ASHA membership benefits
Professionals of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) can become members of ASHA. These professionals include audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech-language-hearing scientists. As of December 31, 2021, there are more than 218,000 members and affiliates of ASHA.
Opportunities ASHA membership brings include access to publications associated with ASHA, to continuing education programs through ASHA, to a platform to network with other CSD professionals, to career-building tools, and to money-saving programs.
Special interest groups
ASHA sponsors special interest groups (SIGS) within the organization as a means of promoting community and learning in more specialized topics. As of 2016, ASHA has 19 established Special Interest Groups (SIG). These have been added through the years. ASHA members can be a SIG Affiliate of any number of SIGS, with each affiliation requiring nominal yearly dues. The 19 SIGS are:
SIG 1: Language Learning and EducationSIG 2: Neurogenic Communication DisordersSIG 3: Voice and Voice DisordersSIG 4: Fluency and Fluency DisordersSIG 5: Craniofacial and Velopharyngeal DisordersSIG 6: Hearing and Hearing Disorders: Research and DiagnosticsSIG 7: Aural Rehabilitation and Its InstrumentationSIG 8: Audiology and Public HealthSIG 9: Hearing and Hearing Disorders in ChildhoodSIG 10: Issues in Higher EducationSIG 11: Administration and SupervisionSIG 12: Augmentative and Alternative CommunicationSIG 13: Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)SIG 14: Cultural and Linguistic DiversitySIG 15: GerontologySIG 16: School-Based IssuesSIG 17: Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Related DisordersSIG 18: TelepracticeSIG 19: Speech Science
References
External links
Association websiteThe National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association
{{DEFAULTSORT:American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
1925 establishments in the United States
Medical associations based in the United States
Speech and language pathology
Medical and health organizations based in Maryland