Ethics: Documentation & Issues

Ethics Program News

New! Revised Issues in Ethics Statements
The Board of Directors recently approved revisions of the following Issues in Ethics statements:

• Accepting Referrals for Private Practice From Primary Place of Employment provides guidance to individuals who may face a potential conflict of interest related to accepting referrals from their primary place of employment for their own private practices. This statement replaces an earlier version entitled Drawing Cases for Private Practice From Primary Place of Employment.

• Ethics in Research and Scholarly Activity provides guidance on Code of Ethics provisions for ASHA members and certificate holders involved in scholarly activities such as research and grant writing. This statement replaces an earlier version entitled Ethics in Research and Professional Practice.

Instructions and Form for Filing Complaints [PDF]
Complaints of alleged violations of the Code of Ethics must be submitted in writing, using the new complaint filing form, which includes instructions and tips for ensuring that the Board of Ethics has the facts and other information it needs to consider the complaint.

Ethics Education
Ethics Education is an essential instructional manual for college and university faculty as well as those working within the professions. As a revision of the popular Ethics: Resources for Professional Preparation, Ethics Education combines case studies with decision-making models to teach the knowledge and skills students need.

ASHA Practice Policy

The entire set of official documents of the Association, including cardinal documents (e.g., Code of Ethics, Scopes of Practice) and practice policy documents for audiology and speech-language pathology.

Reference Library Quick Links:

Code of Ethics
All ASHA members are bound by the ASHA Code of Ethics (last revised January 2003).

Guidelines for the Responsible Conduct of Research: Ethics and the Publications Process
This guidelines document was prepared by ASHA's Committee on Research Integrity and Publication Practice to provide information on ethical standards for the responsible conduct and reporting of research in communication sciences and disorders.

Scopes of Practice
Documents for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology that outline parameters for the practice of the professions. Ethical practice requires that the professional work within his or her respective scope.

Statement of the Practices and Procedures of the Board of Ethics
This document outlines the policies and procedures followed by the Board of Ethics in processing and adjudicating formal ethics complaints.

Statement of the Practices and Procedures for Appeals of Board of Ethics Decisions
This document outlines the procedures for appealing rulings by the ASHA Board of Ethics.

Issues in Ethics Statements
The list of Issues in Ethics statements provides analysis and instruction concerning specific issues related to ethical conduct. These statements were developed to promote awareness and thoughtful consideration of ethical issues and to help indivduals engaging in self-guided ethical decision making.

Complaints of Alleged Violation of the Code of Ethics

Instructions and Form for Filing Complaints [PDF]
Ethics complaint form and instructions for submitting complaints of alleged violations of the Code of Ethics for consideration by the Board of Ethics

Ethics Education

Ethics-Related Articles and Other Information
Ethics-related articles from The ASHA Leader and articles/information from other sources

 Board of Ethics Convention Presentation Handouts

    2007 Handouts

• Ethics for Real: Case Studies Applying the ASHA Code of Ethics (Session #0609)

    2006 Handouts

• Employer's Ethical Dilemmas Handouts for Sessions (Session #0417)
• NSSLHA Day presentation: "Ethics: It's More Than Common Sense!"
  • Download the handouts from this session [PDF]
  • View the PowerPoint Presentation from this session [PDF]

Ethics Roundtable
An archive of past discussions by experts on various ethics topics.

Statements Regarding the AuD
Statements of the ASHA Executive Board and Board of Ethics regarding use of the AuD designator.

see also: Web Links to Ethics Information - sources of ethics information from ASHA and other organizations.

David Denton is ASHA's director of ethics. Contact him by e-mail at ddenton@asha.org or through the Action Center at 800-498-2071, ext. 5785.