May is Better Hearing and Speech Month.  Click here to find out how the members of PASHA are celebrating!  

The Peoria Area Speech-Language Hearing Association (PASHA) is a diverse organization of speech-language pathologists and audiologists who work in the public and private schools, area hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, and private practices. Continuing education opportunities offered by PASHA enable these professionals to meet the needs of their clients with the most current treatments available.

2008-2009 Officers

Please feel free to call any of the names above with concerns or interests. We look forward to seeing you this year at PASHA.

About the Professions

From the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Web site (www.asha.org):

Audiologists are professionals educated in the study of normal hearing processes and hearing loss. The audiologist determines if a person has a hearing loss, what type of loss it is, and how the person can make the best use of remaining hearing. If a person can benefit from using hearing aids or other assistive listening systems, the audiologist can assist with the selection, fitting, and purchase of the most appropriate aids and with training in their effective use.

Speech-language pathologists are professionals educated in the study of human communication, its development, and its disorders. By evaluating the speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing skills of children and adults, the speech-language pathologist determines what communication or swallowing problems exist and the best way to treat them.

A Brief History of the Peoria Area Speech-Language-Hearing Association

     The roots of the Peoria Area Speech and Hearing Association (PASHA) began sometime in the early 1950’s.  At that time, there was one organization of professionals for all areas of communication:  drama, forensics, public speaking, and those interested in the disorders of speech.  The members who were interested in the disorders of speech requested that they no longer be a part of this organization.  They were strongly in favor of developing an organization of members whose common interest was speech disorders.  This new organization would later be known as the Illinois Speech and Hearing Association. (ISHA).  Click here to learn more about ISHA

            ISHA was founded in 1960 and area groups began forming soon after allowing speech therapists to join together to share professional knowledge.  On November 6, 1964 Dr. Clara Mawhinney hosted the first area meeting in Peoria, Illinois.  This unofficial group met again in January 1965 and appointed Joyce Taylor as chairman.  To her and a committee fell the task of developing constitution, program, and nominating committees.   On May 14, 1965 the group met again and officially adopted Peoria Area Speech and Hearing Association as the name of the organization and elected Kathleen Gunn as its first president

            The early years of the organization provided members with educational programs for professional development and aided in increasing public awareness of communication disorders and treatment available.  Originally annual dues of one dollar were collected, but by 1968 the need to offer a stipend to guest speakers prompted a dues increase to two dollars. 

            In 1969, PASHA members were instrumental in challenging ISHA to allow each area group to be represented by an elected representative to the ISHA executive committee and to take measures to divide the state into boundaries for area groups.  The formation of an official liaison between ISHA and area groups began in 1972. 

            In 1970 PASHA began investigating the procedure for becoming a not-for-profit corporation and PASHA became incorporated on April 25, 1974.

            In 1979 the membership decided to retain the acronym PASHA, but change the name of the organization to Peoria Area Speech Language and Hearing Association to reflect similar changes at the state and national levels.

    In the 1980's and 90's PASHA continued to grow and expand.  A more detailed history of this time period is being researched now so check back to read more about our "roots."