Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

This sixth edition of Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is intended to be a primary text for students in speech-language pathology and audiology, as well as a resource for practitioners, providing a comprehensive introduction to contemporary issues that affect these professions and service delivery across settings. It aims to provide a better understanding that day-to-day clinical work, as well as personal professional growth and development are influenced by political, social, educational, health care, and economic concerns. By instilling a big-picture view of the profession, future clinicians will be more prepared to make informed decisions as they provide services, engage in advocacy efforts, and plan their careers as audiologists or speech-language pathologists. The book is divided into four major sections: Overview of the Professions, Employment Issues, Setting-Specific Issues, and Working Productively. The information presented in each section provides the reader with a better understanding and a new perspective on how professional issues have been affected by both internal and external influences in recent years including technological advances, demographic shifts, globalization, and economic factors. Chapter authors are recognized subject-matter experts, providing a blend of both foundational and cutting-edge information in areas such as evidence-based practice, ethics, job searching and employment issues, interprofessional practice, service delivery in health care and education, technology, cultural competence, supervision, and leadership. Students reading this book will appreciate how the professions have evolved over time while acquiring a sense of where they are right now as they prepare to enter the professional world. Each of the topics covered in the book will continue to play important roles in the future of speech-language pathology and audiology, providing early career professionals with the requisite knowledge to achieve success in any setting. New to the Sixth Edition: New information on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic Coverage of recent changes in technology Updates to ASHA certification requirements, the Assistants certification program, and the 2023 ASHA Code of Ethics New contributors: Nicole E. Corbin, Sandra Liang Gillam, Erin E.G. Lundblom, Christine T. Matthews, Shari Robertson, Rachel A. Ritter, and Jennifer P. Taylor Updated list of acronyms used in the book Key Features: Chapters authored by recognized experts in communication sciences and disorders Each chapter begins with an introduction and ends with a summary of key areas Critical Thinking questions for each chapter accessible online Case studies related to child and elder abuse Case studies related to advocacy From the Foreword: "The editors have been immersed for many years in undergraduate and graduate education as well as in the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology. Their varied experiences are illustrated in their selection of topics and authors. ...Chapters on competency-based education and practice, leadership, and stress and conflict in the workplace offer valuable guidance for students as they prepare to shift to the next phase of their evolving careers. Ultimately, this is a resource for crafting a pathway to a vocation. The final chapter, Advocacy, by Dr. Tommie Robinson, serves as a coda to the abundance of resources contained in this text. He offers the "why" for what we do in the professions. According to Dr. Robinson, we all have the opportunity to promote our excellence, help those we serve to speak for themselves, and create access for others who need our services. The authors in this text craft the framework for this endeavor." - Barbara H. Jacobson, PhD, CCC-SLP

Melanie W. Hudson, MA, CCC-SLP, has over 40 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist in public schools, private practice, and university settings. She currently serves on the ASHFoundation Board of Trustees and served on the ASHA Board of Directors from 2016–2018, the Board of Ethics, the Board of Special Interest Group Coordinators, and on the Ad Hoc Committees on Governance Review in 2018, and Supervision in 2013. Her publications include co-editor and chapter author for the 4th edition of Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, (Lubinski & Hudson; Delmar, Cengage Learning, 2013) , the 5th edition (Hudson & DeRuiter, Plural Publishing, 2020), and the most recent 6th edition (Hudson & DeRuiter, Plural Publishing, 2025). She is a former President of the Georgia Speech-Language and Hearing Association and served on the Georgia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from 2013–2020. Melanie is an ASHA Fellow and Board-Certified Specialist in Child Language and Disorders. She presents on topics related to school-based services, clinical education, and professional ethics. She recently retired from EBS Healthcare and resides in Williamsburg, Virginia. **** Mark DeRuiter, PhD, MBA, is an audiologist and speech-language pathologist. He is the director of the Clinical Science Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. DeRuiter has taught introduction to audiology, aural rehabilitation, and advanced aural rehabilitation, with teaching experiences in the United States and Taiwan. Dr. DeRuiter's leadership experiences include serving on the executive board of the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders and serving on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Council for Clinical Certification.