Diverse Selection of Sessions Highlight Opening Day of ASHA Annual Convention

Diverse Selection of Sessions Highlight Opening Day of ASHA Annual Convention

WHO: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the national professional credentialing association for more than 110,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech-language and hearing scientists - the professionals who assess and treat speech, language, hearing, and related disorders.

WHAT: 2003 ASHA Convention
"Exploring New Frontiers in Biology"

WHEN: November 13th, 2003

WHERE: McCormick Place Convention Center
Chicago, Illinois

The 2003 ASHA Convention, the most comprehensive professional development conference for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language and hearing scientists in the country, will feature more than 1,500 sessions on important topics related to communication and hearing issues. The opening day of the conference boasts a diverse selection of sessions related to speech and hearing issues for children and in school-based settings as well as issues related to hearing and hearing health.

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS:

Preventing Overrepresentation of Culturally / Linguistically Diverse Students Under IDEA
Thurs., 11/13, 8-10 a.m., Room E270

This session discusses the reasons for disproportionate representation of children from culturally and linguistically diverse populations in special education programs and presents possible solutions based on extensive research.

Presenters:
Harry N. Seymour & Thomas Roeper, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Jill de Villiers & Peter de Villiers, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

Schools Forum 2003: Exploring Solutions for School-Based Practice
Thurs., 11/13, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Room S406AB

This session will feature Joan Mele-McCarthy, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Education for the U.S. Department of Education, and will discuss the role of speech-language pathologists with respect to the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A follow up session with ASHA members will discuss the impact of NCLBA and IDEA on states and local school districts.

Supporting Language & Literacy Development at Home and in the PK Classroom
Thurs., 11/13, 2-5 p.m., Room N427bc

This presentation reflects the work begun during the Home-School Study of Language & Literacy and discusses the impact of language skills at the end of kindergarten on later reading comprehension, emphasizing the importance of early language to later literacy development.

Presenter:
David K. Dickinson, Carolyn & Peter Lynch School of Ed., Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Reasonable Approaches to Understanding and Treating Tinnitus
Thurs., 11/13, 2-3 p.m., Room N138

This session explains the problems faced by persons with tinnitus, models of various treatments,
and theories of possible mechanisms.

Presenter:
Richard S. Tyler, University of Iowa, Iowa City

Opening General Session
Thurs., Nov. 13, 6:00 -7:30 p.m., Arie Crown Theater

Dr. Benjamin Carson
A world-renowned neurosurgeon and philanthropist, Dr. Carson will speak to attendees about his message of hope.

The press room will be located in Room E352 of McCormick Place. The press room phone number, November 13-15, will be 312/949-3217. Members of the media who wish to register for the convention or would like more information regarding specific sessions may contact Renée Hockaday at 301/897-7351 or rhockaday@asha.org.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 110,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders.