Spotlight On: Special Interest Group 2, Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders

SIG 2 was founded in 1990. The first coordinator was Leslie Gonzalez-Rothi. Under her leadership, SIG 2—Special Interest Division 2 at the time—was the first to offer CEUs for Perspectives.

SIG 2 is the fourth-largest SIG, with more than 3,800 affiliates.

Joining SIG 2 is a great way to stay up-to-date on current trends in assessing and treating individuals with neurogenic communication disorders and related scientific information. When we think of neurogenic communication disorders, we usually think of aphasia, dysarthria, dementia, and so forth. Yet many individuals with communication disorders have underlying problems that are neurogenic in origin. For example, children with specific language impairment—which is not typically classified as a neurogenic communication disorder—must have something different about their nervous systems that affects their ability to acquire language in the same way as other children. Therefore, regardless of work setting, it is likely that many ASHA members are already treating individuals with underlying neurological problems.

SIG 2 has collaborated with the Academy of Neurogenic Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS) to develop practice guidelines in the areas of dysarthria, aphasia, acquired apraxia of speech, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. We provide expertise when ASHA needs advice related to neurogenic communication disorders, such as suggesting systematic review topics for ASHA’s National Center for Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders (N-CEP) or reviewing the adult neurogenics curriculum resource materials available through the ASHA academic programs and faculty web pages.

One of the best benefits of affiliating with SIG 2 is Perspectives, published four times per year. From our inception, we have published high-quality articles written by expert researchers and clinicians. Our Perspectives authors come not only from the field of speech-language pathology, but also from other disciplines, such as neurology.

Another benefit is our online ASHA Community, which is quite active. This is a great forum for affiliates to ask questions and share ideas. Many of our expert researchers and clinicians in the area of neurogenic communication disorders are SIG 2 affiliates and participate in the online discussions. New clinicians can benefit from the advice of more seasoned clinicians.

In addition, we sponsor short courses at the annual ASHA Convention, and our affiliates receive a discount when they register for these courses. Affiliates also receive a discounted registration for the annual ASHA Health Care/Business Institute. This year, we hosted a table at the Institute lunch where affiliates could meet and chat with a member of our Steering Committee, Gloriajean Wallace.

This is a really difficult question, because we always have excellent issues. The October 2011 issue, which was devoted to telepractice, is one that affiliates should be sure to read. This was a particularly timely topic, as evidenced by the fact that the newest SIG (18) is Telepractice.