Speak Out August 2013

SA Branch at the National Conference

T here was a definite buzz in the office as a group of my colleagues returned from the Speech Pathology Australia 2013 National Conference, inspired by three days of learning and revived by some Queensland sunshine (causing others to turn green with envy). In this Speak Out edition we present two different perspectives on the Conference; one from a new graduate and another from a Conference presenter.

Rachel Trebilcock SA Branch Editor

SA Branch members at the 2013 SPA National Conference.

A new graduate’s perspective The SPA National Conference in June 2013 was a jam- packed three days of presentations, workshops, exhibits, networking and information! As a recent Masters graduate from Flinders University, the “SEA change” (Synthesise, Evaluate, Act) theme to the Conference was everything it promised and more! For three days I was updated on the latest research carried out across not only Australia but the world. I was speechless (!) by the presenters’ drive to fill in the gaps in order to help our profession achieve the best for the clients we work with. The mix of presentations and workshops allowed me to appraise information on a variety of topics. A particular highlight was the final day workshop presented by Dr Tiffany Hogan on “Increasing lower and higher level language skills to improve reading comprehension”. I have walked away from that workshop empowered about the importance of the “building blocks” of reading comprehension. These skills, I believe, will lead to greater conversations between schools and myself and this can only benefit children.

While I feel I am still processing (or evaluating) everything, three words resound in my head; encouraged, inspired and challenged. I am encouraged by the breadth of information and research that is available to put into practice with the children and schools I work with. I have been inspired to do more, and grow more as a speech pathologist. But perhaps most importantly I have been challenged to put all of this knowledge into action. Jodie Davis Speech Pathologist A presenter’s perspective As a research higher degree student, I was enthusiastic about attending the National Conference this year to present my research for the first time. My PhD is entitled “Perceptions and enactment of client- centred speech-language pathology practice for adults with aphasia across the rehabilitation continuum”. My supervisors are Professor Elizabeth Armstrong and Associate Professor Deborah Hersh, and I’m enrolled at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia, although I‘m based in Adelaide and work at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Repatriation General Hospital.

Speak Out August 2013

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www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au