Mission

To provide an annual forum with an informal atmosphere wherein clinicians and scientists can present their recent research and engage in an open exchange of ideas. Through the annual CAC publication, mentorship programs, and small conference format, the clinical management and outcomes of persons with acquired neurologic communication disorders is advanced.

To attend CAC

CAC attendance is limited to approximately 125 people. If you wish to attend CAC, you must submit a summary of an original paper or poster for consideration. First and second authors of accepted papers are invited to attend. As space permits, the first author or one of the other co-authors on a paper that was not accepted may be invited to attend. Additionally, all committee members (i.e., Local Arrangements Committee, Continuing Education Committee, and Program Committee), the Treasurer, Editor of the CAC Supplement in AJSLP, and members of the CAC Steering Committee are invited to attend regardless of whether they submit a proposal. Please see the CAC home page for more information about upcoming conferences.

Scope of Papers

• aphasia
• apraxia of speech
• right hemisphere communication disorders
• cognitive-communication disorders following traumatic brain injury
• cognitive-linguistic performance in elderly adults
• communication impairments related to dementia

The CAC Steering Committee Mentorship Luncheon

The CAC Steering Committee hosts an annual Mentorship Luncheon to provide an opportunity for students and early stage researchers to engage in discussions about research and research careers. Every year, the CAC Mentorship Chair selects two senior and two junior scientists to identify topics for the Luncheon discussion and to facilitate the event. The Mentorship Luncheon is open to all students and early stage researchers who are attending the conference.

Organization

The CAC Steering Committee is comprised of leaders in the field of neurogenic communication disorders who have been selected previously to serve as a Program Chair for CAC. Every year, a new Program Chair is selected who is responsible for selecting individuals to serve on the Program Committee, overseeing the review of submissions, selecting a keynote speaker, developing the conference agenda, and otherwise organizing an upcoming conference. After serving as a Program Chair, that individual will then serve as the Conference Chair in the following year, working closely with the new Program Chair to guide the conference planning process and to provide continuity. A Local Arrangements Chair is also selected by the CAC Steering Committee, typically two to three years in advance of the conference that they will plan and implement. Once a future location has been approved by the CAC Steering Committee, the Local Arrangements Chair selects individuals to serve on the Local Arrangements Committee. The CAC Steering Committee also appoints the Chair of the Continuing Education Committee who is responsible for administering the CEU program and ensuring adherence to ASHA’s Continuing Education Board’s requirements, policies, procedures, guidelines, and timelines. The CAC Steering Committee also appoints a Treasurer, a CAC Mentorship Chair, and an Editor of the CAC Supplement in AJSLP.

Continuing Education

CAC offers continuing education units (CEUs) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The CAC Continuing Education Committee (CEC) is responsible for ensuring that all sessions offered for ASHA CEUs meet quality standards and adhere to ASHA’s Continuing Education Board’s requirements, policies, procedures, guidelines, and timelines. The Chair of the CEC serves as the official CE administrator for CAC and is responsible for ensuring adherence to ASHA’s Continuing Eduction Board (CEB) requirements, policies, procedures, guidelines, and timelines. The Chair of the CEC and the Program Chair work closely to coordinate the work of their respective committees to ensure that a high-quality program is planned and delivered that will advance the attendees’ understanding of and critical thinking about the topics presented. Accordingly, the Chair of the CEC is involved in the planning, promotion, implementation, evaluation, and reporting of all CE offerings provided by CAC. The Chair of the CEC also oversees the annual review process that ensures adherence to the latest revisions in CEB requirements, policies, procedures, guidelines, and timelines. Individuals selected to serve on the CEC are required to have a good working knowledge of the CEB requirements, the area of acquired neurologic communication disorders, and to be members of ASHA.

Disclaimer: Acceptance and presentation at the Clinical Aphasiology Conference of commercially available tests or treatments does not imply endorsement of the product by the conference or its participants.