When participating in research activities, which task can an SLPA perform?

An SLPA (Speech-Language Pathology Assistant) is allowed to obtain parent or patient permission forms when participating in research activities. This task is essential as it involves ensuring that ethical standards are maintained in research, particularly regarding the rights and consent of participants. Obtaining informed consent is a critical step in research, as it protects participants and guarantees they understand what participation entails.

The involvement of an SLPA in this capacity aligns with their role within the framework of the Speech-Language Pathology profession, where they support licensed professionals but do not engage in tasks that require clinical judgment or interpretation of data. Consequently, while they can assist in the administrative aspects of research, such as collecting consent, they do not have the qualifications to interpret data, conduct tests independently, or publish findings, as those tasks require a higher level of expertise and licensure.