Speech is Beautiful

Was The ASHA Convention Worth It?

Vlog

I can’t believe three weeks have passed since I left the ASHA Convention. I’m still processing my experience because it was so quick and so action-packed! I did a little filming while I was there and so I edited a video detailing some of what happened. Sadly I was actually sick and lost my voice! Also, I was really nervous because it was my first time going to ASHA. I hope you enjoy this video and it helps you decide if attending ASHA would be a good choice for you…

Attending ASHA can be an invaluable experience for speech-language pathologists. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other professionals, learn about a wide variety of topics, and discover innovative tools that can be applied in clinical practice. By attending the ASHA convention, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can make professional connections, stay up-to-date on new research, and expand their opportunities in the field. But it’s also costly and could require travel.

The Pros of the ASHA Convention

  • Professional Development – It’s vital that SLPs keep on top of the latest research in out profession because we have such a large scope of practice and things change dramatically over the years. Attending sessions helps you become a better clinician. ASHA keeps you up-to-date.
  • Accumulation of CEUs – you will get a ton of ASHA-certified CEUs, which we need to renew our certificate of clinical competence (CCC). ASHA offers a boatload of approved CEUs
  • Gather with other SLPs – You never know who you will run into at ASHA from former professors to grad school colleagues you forgot about. It’s fun on a professional level.

The Cons of the ASHA Convention

  • Costly – The ASHA Convention is costly. The price of attendance varies per how many days you want to attend for, but you are looking at several hundred dollars.
  • Travel – Every year ASHA happens in a big city somewhere around the country. Whether you have to fly or drive, transportation will add up.
  • Accommodation – You will need a place to stay and if you don’t know anyone in the city where ASHA is held, you will need to find a hotel. Typically the hotel at the convention center is extremely expensive so I would look at different, but still close-by options.
  • Timing – Why does ASHA choose mid-November for the convention? It’s hard to get time off from an employer in a month that is already short because of Thanksgiving. Then December and Christmas holidays are just ahead so the budget is strained that time of year. For me, one of my important family members has a November birthday that I have missed to attend ASHA. I don’t want to do that again, not to mention every single year!

If you’re trying to decide if attending the ASHA Convention is right for you, those are a few key pros and cons that you should consider. On the one hand, this is a great opportunity to hear from some of the most respected professionals in the field of speech-language pathology. You’ll learn about cutting-edge research, clinical techniques, and advocacy tools. On the other hand, it may be difficult to justify the cost given its location and timing. For more detail, watch the video about my firsthand experience!

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are required to earn continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). ASHA CEUs are a nationally recognized standard for measuring participation in continuing education activities.

ASHA CEU Blog Posts I Love:

Here’s what you need to know about ASHA CEUs for SLPs:

  • How many CEUs are required? SLPs must earn 30 CEUs during each 3-year certification maintenance interval. This requirement applies to both CCC-SLP (Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology) and CCC-A (Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology) holders.
  • What types of activities can earn CEUs? ASHA CEUs can be earned through a variety of activities, such as attending conferences, workshops, and online courses. Courses must be offered by an ASHA-approved provider and cover topics related to speech-language pathology.
  • How are CEUs tracked? SLPs can track their CEUs on the ASHA CE Registry. The CE Registry is a secure online database that stores all of your ASHA CEU transcripts.
  • Benefits of earning CEUs: Earning CEUs helps SLPs stay up-to-date on the latest clinical practices and research. It can also help you improve your skills and knowledge, which can lead to better patient care.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

CMHs vs CEUs

SLPs can use CMHs (Certification Maintenance Hours) in place of CEUs (Continuing Education Units) to meet their ASHA certification maintenance requirements. However, there are some important distinctions to consider:

CMHs vs. CEUs:

  • Definition: CMHs are simply a unit of measurement for professional development hours, while CEUs are specifically awarded by ASHA-approved providers for activities directly related to speech-language pathology.
  • Acceptance: Both CMHs and CEUs count towards the 30-hour requirement, but ASHA only tracks and reports CEUs on the CE Registry.
  • Documentation: For CMHs, you are responsible for keeping your own records and providing proof of completion if audited. CEUs are automatically added to the CE Registry by the provider.
  • Convenience: Finding ASHA-approved CEU activities can be easier than documenting CMHs yourself.

Therefore, while you can use CMHs, using CEUs offers some advantages:

  • Convenience: ASHA tracks and reports CEUs, simplifying record-keeping.
  • Verification: ASHA-approved providers ensure activities meet professional standards.

Ultimately, the choice between CMHs and CEUs is up to you. Consider your personal preferences, learning style, and access to ASHA-approved providers when making your decision. Here are some additional resources that may help:

I hope this information clarifies the differences between CMHs and CEUs and helps you choose the best option for your ASHA certification requirements.