The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) is the professional organization for SLPs and audiologists. They provide the governing rules and ethics for our profession. Also, they offer memberships to Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that focus on specific areas where professionals can collaborate and address research, education needs, and disseminate information. We were asked to consider all 18 SIGs and choose one we would choose to join if a benevolent soul offered to pay for our membership. I looked online and read the information on the first one and thought, "Yeah, that's it." Then I looked at the next one and had the same thought. Uh oh. After careful consideration that almost ended up in a coin flip, I finally settled on SIG 12, Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
For those not in the know, AAC is a means of improving a person's ability to communicate when they do not have the ability or have limited ability to speak. There is a spectrum of AAC devices ranging from a low tech picture/symbol board to complex eye gaze systems and many levels in between. Sign language is also considered a form of AAC, and I have worked with a few individuals who augmented their speech with sign due to poor intelligibility. I do not have a lot of experience with AAC yet, but this is something that I hope to develop in my career. I have had the opportunity to make some low tech communication boards and have seen a few high tech systems in use in my last two externships. At the two ASHA conventions I have attended, much of my time has been spent talking to various AAC vendors and learning about new and improved options.
Being able to communicate is so critical to the human experience. Our basic needs are met through communication. Relationships with others are based on communication. Expressing our desires and adapting our environments are contingent on successful communication. There are a variety of reasons why some people may not have the ability to speak and communicate in a typical way: cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, selective mutism, aphasia, apraxia, removal of larynx due to cancer, ALS, and many others. These people still feel and still have needs and desires. Isn't it wonderful that there are options to help them communicate and participate in the world?! It is hard to imagine a world in which you are locked inside yourself with no way to express something as simple as "I am thirsty" or something as complex as "I love you".
Many SLPs do not have much experience with AAC because it really is not that common. We will more than likely have more clients without the need for AAC than those with a need, but for those few that can benefit, I want to be able to provide the absolute best intervention I can to give them a voice. This is where I hope being a member of SIG 12 will play a valuable role by giving me the opportunity to collaborate with fellow clinicians to seek advice and support. I would expect to keep abreast of the latest research and new technologies. Another benefit would be to learn how to establish funding for devices. I currently live in an economically depressed part of the country, and many of my clients would not have the money to invest in a device or know what avenues to pursue to apply for assistance. It would be my hope that membership to SIG 12 would help me assist my clients in securing funding.
Okay, so I have pretty much talked myself into joining SIG 12 whether or not I encounter a kind soul who is willing to pay my membership dues!
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