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