American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

ASHA Revisits Guidance on Medicare Telepractice
Audiologists and SLPs may provide telepractice services to Medicare Part B (outpatient) beneficiaries who choose to pay privately, according to ASHA’s new interpretation of Medicare laws. This determination stems from ASHA’s direct communication with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services staff and consultation with Medicare law experts and other professional associations. Very simply: A federal statute excludes audiologists and speech-language pathologists from Medicare reimbursement for telepractice. Therefore, because telepractice is not a covered benefit when provided by an audiologist or SLP, such services...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 24, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Neela Swanson Tags: Audiology News Private Practice Slider Speech-Language Pathology Health Care medicare Telepractice Source Type: blogs

10 Strategies to Train Parents and Improve Carryover for Students Using AAC
Editor’s note: We’re hearing from school-based speech-language pathologists who want resources to share with parents during the COVID-19 disruption. Several SLPs told Leader editors they want to help parents ease changes in structure that might significantly affect their children with communication disorders, while also providing activities to continue their speech-language progress. Look for a series of blog articles starting soon that feature members’ stories of how they’re handling COVID-19 by work setting. Often when I visit schools as an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) consulta...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 23, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Rebecca Eisenberg Tags: Health Care Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Augmentative Alternative Communication Autism Spectrum Disorder Early Intervention Source Type: blogs

5 Steps to Get Started in Telepractice
Over the last few weeks, many schools and clinics nationwide—well, really worldwide—have been shutting down in response to COVID-19. While this is an uncertain time for all of us, fortunately many audiologists and speech-language pathologists might be able to offer services for clients using telepractice. Editor’s note: Per ASHA guidelines, use of telepractice must be equivalent to the quality of services provided in person and consistent with adherence to the Code of Ethics, audiology scope of practice, speech-language pathology scope of practice, state and federal laws, and ASHA policy. Even before this pandemi...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 18, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Jessi Andricks Tags: Audiology Health Care Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Professional Development Technology Telepractice Source Type: blogs

Using Telepractice to Provide Early Intervention Services to Families
Editor’s note: This post was previously scheduled for next month. In light of the closures and increased demand for telepractice services due to COVID-19, we posted it now. A post scheduled for later this week will detail steps for launching new and/or expanding existing telepractice services. In addition, ASHA staff have compiled telepractice resources for members.  I work for an early intervention practice offering speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy in Southern California. Like many early childhood service providers, we practice and understand the benefits of family coaching. We progress much more...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 16, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Ryan Landinguin Tags: Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology bilingual service delivery Early Intervention Source Type: blogs

West Virginia Is First of 3 States to Pass Interstate Compact for the Professions
West Virginia is pioneering flexible practice, becoming the first of three states to pass legislation approving the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). This legislation would allow audiologists and speech-language pathologists to legally and ethically practice across state boundaries and through telepractice with a single license. In addition, Utah and Wyoming just passed similar measures. How did West Virginia achieve this milestone? Basically, we networked with legislators and with  professionals from other professions who had succeeded in passing their respective interstate compacts ...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 13, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Vickie Pullins Tags: Advocacy Audiology News Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Telepractice Source Type: blogs

ASHA Voices: Talking Work Wellness With the SLP Happy Hour Hosts
We all experience work stress, so let’s talk about it. Maybe you’re feeling depleted or experiencing burnout in some way. Once that cycle starts, it can get harder to step back and revitalize. “I got home just feeling completely exhausted. It was hard for me to even carry my bag up the stairs.” – Kristin MacInnis On this episode of ASHA Voices, we talk with Sarah Lockhart and Sarie Wu, the hosts of the podcast SLP Happy Hour, about how to get some of that headspace back. Courtesy: SLP Happy Hour They share what they’ve learned from producing a show about healthy work and personal lives for...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 12, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: J.D. Gray Tags: Academia & Research Health Care Podcast Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Professional Development social skills Source Type: blogs

E-luminations: Racing Cars Helps Me Live With Degenerative Swallowing Disorder
It’s not often that a person growing up among the cotton fields of southwest Oklahoma goes on to become a successful manager of global technology companies, but Leland White is not your average person. During his career, he built and managed semiconductor manufacturing plants around the world and provided management consulting services to large corporations and federal agencies. After a successful business career, he retired in Colorado to pursue two passions: downhill skiing and high-performance driving. Referred to by family and friends as “Lee,” he turned 78 last spring. I talked to Lee about the challenges he...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 11, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Sharon Baker Tags: Health Care Slider Speech-Language Pathology Dysphagia Swallowing Disorders Source Type: blogs

Why Participate in Medicare Quality Reporting? (Even if You Don ’ t Have To)
If you treat Medicare Part B beneficiaries, you might be required to report quality measures to Medicare. But even if you are not required to participate this year, you could be included in the future—so it might be a good idea to voluntarily participate now just for practice. You may even choose to opt-in to the program to earn financial incentives if you can participate successfully. Some clarity Medicare’s quality reporting program, the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), requires some providers to report their compliance with certain patient interaction measures. A provider’s failure to participate or to...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 9, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Sarah Warren Tags: Audiology Health Care Slider Speech-Language Pathology medicare private practice Source Type: blogs

Everyday Ethics: Dos and Don ’ts for Clinical Supervisors of Students
What if a graduate student doing their speech-language pathology clinical placement—or audiology externship—was asked by their supervisor to perform a procedure on their own. And they are unsure about their readiness to do such a procedure flying solo. The short answer? As a student, you aren’t yet obligated to abide by ASHA’s Code of Ethics. However, your ASHA-certified supervisor is so obliged. The answer to the questions below raises some ethical considerations a supervisor should consider. I’m a graduate student, and my clinical placement is in a hospital. SLP graduate student clinician:  After performing t...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 6, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Donna Euben Tags: Academia & Research Audiology Health Care Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Professional Development supervision Source Type: blogs

Protecting Those You Serve, Co-Workers, and Yourself From COVID-19
ASHA is sharing information and resources about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to help you protect yourself, staff, clients/patients/students, and other individuals involved in your audiology or speech-language pathology practice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide regular updates as the situation unfolds. ASHA suggests you routinely check with these agencies for up-to-date guidance on prevention and treatment. Also, be sure to familiarize yourself with and follow any official COVID-19 guidance issued by your employer. The CDC provides information f...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 5, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Diane Paul Tags: Audiology Health Care Slider Speech-Language Pathology COVID-19 infection control Practice Management Source Type: blogs

The Importance of Hearing Screening in Our Youngest and Most Senior Clients
In recognition of World Hearing Day today, I am sharing guidelines and insights—from nearly four decades as an audiologist—on providing hearing screening for clients and patients at critical junctures. Communication sciences and disorders professionals continue to learn more about the effects of hearing loss on speech, language development, and cognition. Obviously, audiologists conduct hearing screenings, but they often aren’t on treatment teams in many of these situations. Speech-language pathologists are on the front lines of communication services in rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health agencies, and scho...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - March 3, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Kathy Dowd Tags: Audiology Health Care Private Practice Slider Speech-Language Pathology Hearing Assistive Technology hearing loss Source Type: blogs

ASHA ’ s New Tool Can Help You Discover What You Know —Or Don’t—About Professional Interactions
ASHA debuts a new engagement experience to help boost your interactions with clients, students, families, colleagues, and others in your professional world. That’s Unheard Of offers you information in quick, digestible bites, catering to the few minutes you might every so often—waiting in line for coffee, store checkout, airport check in, carpool, or for a doctor’s appointment. What is “That’s Unheard Of”? Not your typical digital tool, the new site provides resources you can take advantage of during those wasted minutes. What if during those times you could take a brief quiz designed to help you think about ho...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - February 28, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Andrea Moxley Tags: Academia & Research Audiology Health Care News Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Cultural Diversity Professional Development Source Type: blogs

ASHA ’ s New Tool Can Help You Discover What You Know —Or Don’t—About About Professional Interactions
ASHA debuts a new engagement experience to help boost your interactions with clients, students, families, colleagues, and others in your professional world. That’s Unheard Of offers you information in quick, digestible bites, catering to the few minutes you might every so often—waiting in line for coffee, store checkout, airport check in, carpool, or for a doctor’s appointment. What is “That’s Unheard Of”? Not your typical digital tool, the new site provides resources you can take advantage of during those wasted minutes. What if during those times you could take a brief quiz designed to help you think about ho...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - February 28, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Andrea Moxley Tags: Academia & Research Audiology Health Care News Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Cultural Diversity Professional Development Source Type: blogs

ASHA Voices: Language and Identity —Shifting Away from a Deficit Perspective on African American English
In our second of two episodes in honor of Black History Month, we’re addressing African American English, or AAE. AAE is a language variation. Maybe you’ve heard it called a dialect. It sounds different from Mainstream American English. It has its own rules and grammar, and it emerged from a long language tradition. But when AAE is not recognized, it can be misdiagnosed as a language disorder. Read more from our guests: Megan-Brette Hamilton: An Informed Lens on African American English Dionna Latimer Hearn: Don’t Get It Twisted – Hear My Words We explore the link between identity and language. “I ...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - February 27, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: J.D. Gray Tags: Academia & Research Podcast Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Cultural Diversity Source Type: blogs

Are You Passionate About Working With People With Hearing Loss?
Aural rehabilitation is a growing part of hearing health care. Joining SIG 7, Aural Rehabilitation and Its Instrumentation, is a chance to delve more into the research and meet like-minded colleagues. What would you say to encourage other colleagues to join SIG 7? If you have an interest in networking with professionals around the globe who are passionate about working with people with hearing loss, SIG 7 is for you. The group has excellent discussions and great resources provided throughout the year. How has your involvement in this SIG improved your understanding of and engagement with the field of aural rehabili...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - February 26, 2020 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Rachel Glade Tags: Academia & Research Audiology Health Care Private Practice Slider Aging and Hearing Loss aural rehabilitation early hearing detection and intervention hearing health care Source Type: blogs