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JRH 9

Joint resolution urging the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to reconsider its opposition to the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) of communication instruction for students with apraxia of speech (AOS) or autism

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Burtt and 15 co-sponsors

Vermont urges ASHA to reconsider rejecting Rapid Prompting Method for autism and speech disorder communication, addressing disputed evidence and access demands.

Read first time, treated as a bill, and referred to the Committee on Human Services
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Bill Summary · JRH 9

Legislative bill overview

This joint resolution urges the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to reconsider its official opposition to the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM), a communication technique used with students who have apraxia of speech or autism. The resolution does not create law or mandate action, but rather expresses the Vermont legislature's position that ASHA should review its stance on RPM.

Why is this important

RPM is a controversial but increasingly demanded intervention among some families and advocates of autistic individuals and those with speech disorders who believe it enables nonverbal communication. ASHA's opposition carries weight in the field—it influences insurance coverage, school district adoption, and clinical practice standards. A legislative push could affect how the professional organization evaluates evidence and responds to public pressure on this contentious method.

Potential points of contention

  • Evidence dispute: ASHA has raised concerns about RPM's scientific validation and the risk of facilitator influence on responses, while proponents cite anecdotal success and demand for access
  • Scope of legislative authority: A legislature urging a private professional association to change its standards raises questions about appropriate government involvement in clinical guideline-setting
  • Resource allocation: If adopted more widely, RPM services could compete for limited special education funding and speech-language pathology resources currently allocated to evidence-based therapies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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