Newsletter
Volume 31 | 2008 | Number 2
Speech Pathology (SPABA)
By Dr. Barbara E. Esch
The mission of the Speech Pathology Applied Behavior Analysis (SPABA) SIG is to promote dissemination of behaviorally oriented speech and language research/application of evidence-based practices to speech and language professionals. Our members have been active during the past year both in the U.S. and internationally to further this mission.
Our members reported varying activities for 2007-08 in venues accessed by speech and language professionals (SLP). Conference presentations consisted of papers, posters, seminars, short courses, and workshops. There were 15 such presentations at ABAI 2008, three more than at ABAI 2007. For the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s 2007 convention, ABAI Speech Pathology SIG members submitted two proposals, one of which was accepted and presented at their November meeting. At international, state, and regional conferences attended by speech/language professionals, SIG members made 18 presentations. SIG members also conducted many non-conference workshops during the year for audiences of SLPs, occupational and physical therapists, teachers, program administrators, paraprofessionals, and parents or other caregivers.
Several of our SIG members hold faculty appointments in university (or college) communication arts and sciences departments through which speech pathologists typically receive most of their academic training. One such department at a U.S. college has recently approved a Master’s program in autism and will offer courses taught by behavioral SLPs (including one of our SIG members) as well as by Ph.D.-level instructors holding the BCBA® credential. According to our SIG member-instructor in this new program, “I think it’s exciting that the program will be strongly anchored by the principles of ABA.”
SPABA SIG goals for 2008-09 will be aimed at increasing our dissemination activities in the areas listed above and continuing to promote professional collaboration between speech pathologists and behavior analysts. We are particularly motivated to increase student participation and, to that end, we will establish a SPABA SIG student representative position. Our new student representative will work closely with the SIG’s membership chair and others to plan and develop activities that offer opportunities for students to become involved in the SIG and in ABAI more broadly.
We invite interested individuals to learn more about the Speech Pathology SIG at www.behavioralspeech.com or through our email at SPABASIG@yahoo.com. For other information, please contact us: Barbara Esch, (Chair) besch1@mac.com; Mareile Koenig (Secretary) areilekoenig@comcast.net; Jamie Severtson (Membership) jamie.severtson@hotmail.com; or Tracie Lindblad, (Treasurer) tracie@cdco.com.