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!