Four Forums Headline Perspectives Issue

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups is closing 2025 with a bang!

The December issue contains more than 50 clinically relevant articles representing topics across the sciences. Even better, the issue contains four forums, providing in-depth looks at various clinical topics.

Read more below!

An Introduction to Breath Pattern Disorders and Clinical Considerations for Treatment

The first forum comes from Special Interest Group 3, Voice and Upper Airway Disorders. In the introduction, SIG 3 Editor Miriam van Mersbergen writes that the forum is dedicated to discussing the role of SLPs in addressing respiratory-related conditions.

The forum articles introduce terminology and concepts in breath pattern disorders before discussing breath pattern disorders such as sleep apnea and long COVID. Two articles provide a primer for laryngeal obstruction and introduce a holistic breathing approach to treat it. It closes with a tutorial on respiratory retraining therapy for the treatment of breath pattern disorders.

Doctorate of Audiology Capstone Forum: Highlights of 2024 AuD Student Research

The largest of our four forums comes from a combined effort of ASHA’s four audiology-focused SIGs. Topics covered in this forum include hearing science, auditory rehabilitation, public health audiology, and pediatric hearing and hearing disorders.

SIG 7 Editor Brittan Barker put together this forum of articles developed from Doctorate of Audiology Capstone projects. “Students are increasingly engaged in projects that bridge science and clinical practice, reflecting the dynamic nature of the discipline,” Barker writes in her introduction (Barker, 2025, p. 1764).

Embracing Neurodiversity: A Global Perspective

A forum from SIG 17, Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Related Disorders, provides an international perspective on neurodiversity. In the introduction, Guest Editor Mellissa Anne Bortz summarizes the articles and provides a brief history of cultural views on communication disorders.

Other articles in the forum address issues like stuttering, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism that affect individuals around the world. Two papers discuss inclusive education for neurodiverse students in the classroom, comparing practices in the United States with those in Ireland and with those in Jamaica and Brazil. Other articles include online autism advocacy and ways that you can curate a global viewpoint on neurodiversity in your practice.

Asynchronous Telepractice in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

The final forum—from SIG 18, Telepractice—focuses on asynchronous telepractice. In the introduction, SIG 18 Editor Elizabeth U. Grillo writes that asynchronous telepractice allows ASHA members to “provide flexible, personalized, and contextually relevant care,” (Grillo, 2025, p. 2205).

Articles cover the ethics of asynchronous telepractice and when to use asynchronous or hybrid telepractice models. The authors explore the utility of this type of telepractice in a number of applications—including aphasia rehabilitation, audiology, child literacy, and dysphagia management.

A Word of Thanks—and Ways To Learn Even More

We’d like to thank Drs. Van Mersbergen, Barker, Bortz, and Grillo for their work bringing these four forums to Perspectives. We hope you enjoy learning more on these important and timely topics.

In addition to these four forums, this massive December issue of Perspectives includes 20 more articles on topics such as swallowing and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). You can read all of these articles in the December issue of Perspectives, or explore the forum articles below!

Explore the Forums

An Introduction to Breath Pattern Disorders and Clinical Considerations for Treatment

Courtney, R. (2025). Integrative breathing therapy: Perspectives on dysfunctional breathing in voice and upper airway disorders. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1700–1709. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00305

Frank, S. D., Raymer, A. M., & Frank, P. J. (2025). Treatment outcomes following a holistic breathing approach for exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1753–1763. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00038

Golan, H. (2025). Addressing dysfunctional breathing in patients with long COVID–related speech and upper airway symptoms: Two case studies. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1718–1727. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00297

Kearney, A. (2025). The role of speech-language pathologists in adults with obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1710–1717. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00290

Milstein, C. F., & van Mersbergen, M. (2025). Breathing pattern disorder: A new kid on the block. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1744–1752. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00092

Tabor, A., Procter, T., Nauman, E., & Milstein, C. (2025). Inducible laryngeal obstruction: A clinical primer for speech-language pathologists. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1728–1743. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00085

van Mersbergen, M. (2025). An introduction to breath pattern disorders and clinical considerations for treatment. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1697–1699. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00189

Asynchronous Telepractice in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Cohn, E. R., & Cason, J. (2025). Asynchronous telepractice and ethical conduct. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2208–2214. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00015

Grillo, E. U. (2025). Introduction to the SIG 18 forum: Asynchronous telepractice in audiology and speech-language pathology. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2205–2207. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00163

Grillo, E. U., & van Leer, E. (2025). Application of asynchronous and hybrid voice telepractice methods. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2266–2277. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00285

Hecker-Deel, O., & McCarthy, J. H. (2025). The impact of an asynchronous intervention on parents’ use of code-based shared reading strategies: A preliminary exploration. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2247–2265. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00224

Kantarcigil, C., Smith, R. F., Martin-Harris, B., Arrese, L. C., & Malandraki, G. A. (2025). Asynchronous telehealth for dysphagia management: Evidence, possibilities, and practical examples. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2235–2246. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00262

Kiran, S., & Smith, Z. M. (2025). The efficacy and utility of constant therapy in poststroke aphasia rehabilitation. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2215–2224. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00260

Mahomed-Asmail, F., Coco, L., & Robler, S. K. (2025). Asynchronous telepractice in audiology: Feasibility and implementation. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2225–2234. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_PERSP-24-00219

Doctorate of Audiology Capstone Forum: Highlights of 2024 AuD Student Research

Balser, G., McInerney, M., Koehnke, J., Wambacq, I., & Zeitlin, W. (2025). Parent perspectives of pediatricians as facilitators and barriers to follow-up for the newborn hearing evaluation process. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1906–1917. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00188

Barker, B. A. (2025). Introduction to the doctorate of audiology capstone forum: Highlights of 2024 AuD student research. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1764–1766. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00239

Bresett, M., Emanuel, D. C., & Gambino, A. (2025). Examination of occupational stress, personality traits, and demographics among U.S. audiologists. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1848–1860. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_PERSP-24-00175

Dissi, A., Makoka, A., Dowdy, M., Curtis, D., Toman, J., Porterfield, J. Z., Arnold, M., & Vallario, J. (2025). Facilitators and barriers to audiologic follow-up in Malawi. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1888–1905. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_PERSP-24-00190

Dryden, F., & Gustafson, S. J. (2025). A pilot study on the effect of hearing aid use time and perception of communication problems on listening-related fatigue and social activity levels of first-time hearing aid users. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1820–1831. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00143

Gehm, M., & Ramkissoon, I. (2025). Exploring stimulus type and acute cigarette smoking effects on auditory middle latency responses in younger and older smokers. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1872–1887. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00191

Genser, N., Atcherson, S., Wambacq, I., Kagan-Weitz, E., Rooney, A., & McInerney, M. (2025). Assessing distortion in modified listening scopes for deaf audiologists. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1780–1798. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_PERSP-24-00181

Hurd, T. C., Call, B., & Barker, B. A. (2025). Narrative medicine in hearing health care: A scoping review of the literature and call for research. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1799–1809. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00185

O’Brien, J., Emanuel, D. C., Brewer, K., & Imtiaz, F. (2025). Audiologists’ awareness and use of resilience-building strategies. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1861–1871. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_PERSP-24-00178

Redford, R. K., & Barker, B. A. (2025). Exploring parents’ experiences with school-based special education services for their children with hearing loss during the U.S. COVID-19 outbreak: Three case studies. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1832–1847. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00186

St. Germain, M., Mogila, F., Torres, L., & Kim, S. (2025). Assessment of the construct and criterion validity between fall risk screening measures (Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance versus Timed Up and Go Test). Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1810–1819. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00154

White, L., Hornsby, B. W. Y., & Picou, E. M. (2025). Bandpass filtering and congruence affect emotional responses to auditory and auditory–visual nonspeech stimuli. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 1767–1779. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00184

Embracing Neurodiversity: A Global Perspective

Adams, S. N. (2025). Contextually responsive advocacy for autistic children and their caregivers: A South African perspective. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2116–2133. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00267

An, R., Ma, Y., & Bin, J. (2025). Embracing neurodiversity: Exploring the role of an online support group for Mandarin-speaking women who stutter in resource-limited contexts. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2148–2159. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00013

Bortz, M. A. (2025). Introduction to the forum: Embracing neurodiversity: A global perspective. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2104–2109. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00149

Brice, A., & Dwan, S. (2025). Neurodivergent voices in the classroom: Acquired or innate, still a student. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2177–2190. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00156

Chen, E., & Danzak, R. L. (2025). “I never matched the mold”: Illuminating the neurodivergent Asian American experience through photovoice. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2160–2176. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-24-00303

Coles-White, D., Shilling, T., Joseph, J., Tomé, M. C., Ferguson, H. L., Deliberato, D., & Jackson, J. (2025). Inclusive education for neurodivergent learners: Global strategies and success stories—A speech-language pathology perspective. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2191–2204. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00019

Malek, A. N., Prelock, P. A., Pakdel, P., & Heydari, F. (2025). Exploring autism advocacy and public engagement on Instagram: A mixed-methods analysis of high-engagement posts. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2134–2147. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00039

Santhanam, S. P., & Kevelder, A. (2025). Cultivating a global understanding of neurodiversity: Challenges and opportunities for speech-language pathologists. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 10(6), 2110–2115. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00006