American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), established in 1925, is the scientific and professional association representing over 91,000 speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. The purposes of the organization are to encourage basic scientific study of the process of individual human communication with special reference to speech, language, and hearing; promote appropriate academic and clinical preparation of individuals entering the discipline of human communication sciences and disorders; and maintain the current knowledge and skills of within the disciplines. The Association also promotes the investigation and prevention of disorders of human communication; fosters improvement of clinical services and therapeutic procedures concerning such disorders; and stimulates the exchange of information among concerned persons and organizations. In addition, the organization advocates the rights and interests of persons with communication disabilities and promotes individual and collective professional interests of the members of the Association. Educational materials produced by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association include a wide variety of informational brochures, videotapes, audiocassette tapes, and other booklets.