AIDS/HIV: implications for speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Although research is underway to answer the many unknown questions about AIDS/HIV, there are many myths that continue to plague the public as well as health care and education workers. In this report, the ASHA Committee on Quality Assurance provides factual information about what is known about AIDS/HIV and delineates a list of suggested precautions which speech-language pathologists and audiologists can utilize when providing speech-language-hearing service. Practice and legal issues will continue to be addressed as our knowledge about the provision of services to AIDS/HIV patients/clients expands. Consequently, practitioners will need to update their knowledge through continuing education programs and/or products. Similarly, graduate training programs will have to continually update their curriculum and clinical practicum training to meet these changing needs.