Speak Out December 2017

Speech pathology placement in Darwin

Northern Territory

attended a cultural awareness workshop that was informative and helped in working with our clients. As we learnt during this workshop, approximately 40 per cent of students in the Northern Territory identify themselves as indigenous, and almost 50 per cent of students come from backgrounds other than English. Throughout the program we were challenged to consider cultural factors in order to ensure that intervention is effective. This involved considering culturally appropriate speech patterns, appropriate language to use with parents/carers, and acknowledging different family values and expectations. The placement helped us to understand the ways in which speech pathologists work with and alongside schools and education staff. During the six weeks, we learned how to implement our services on all three tiers of the response to intervention (RTI) framework (one-on-one, small groups and in consultation with teachers). There have also been great opportunities to be involved in advocacy events for the profession, namely being part of the Speech Pathology Australia stall for the Darwin Careers Expo and events within the school to promote Speech Pathology Week. Like all placements there were challenges and rewards, all of which are vital to our learning experience as students. Through this experience we learned so much about ourselves and the profession and we recommend it to all students who have the opportunity.

FOR OUR FINAL paediatric placement we flew to Darwin to spend six weeks at Alawa Primary School under the supervision of Franceska Edis (Top End Speech Pathology). It was an eye-opening experience to be a part of the Darwin and the Alawa school community. We were given a warm welcome from the students, parents, teachers and staff at the school. It was hard not to notice the close and tight connection people shared within the community, where everyone looks out for one another. Throughout the placement, our clinical educator and teachers ensured that we enjoyed the NT lifestyle by constantly suggested exciting weekend plans, such as inviting us to go to the local Darwin Festival or visit the Litchfield National Park. Their enthusiasm and support helped us to feel connected to the local community, as well as to be part of the wider NT family within the brief six weeks we spent in Darwin. Darwin is definitely a change of scenery from what we are used to in Sydney. Having grown up in the “hustle and bustle” of a concrete jungle, Darwin’s relaxed pace and beautiful nature certainly made the placement worthwhile. We spent weekends exploring beautiful waterfalls around Litchfield and Berry Springs, and were tested with outdoor activities such as canoeing and helicopter rides around stunning nature parks. Not to mention the tranquil waters of Katherine Gorge, the gorgeous sunsets from Casuarina beach and getting up close and personal with a saltwater crocodile! As part of our experience in Darwin, we were immersed in a culturally and linguistically diverse community. During our orientation, we

NT 55 members as at October 2017

Speech pathology students Elizabeth Grose, Jasmine Lo, Hafiz Yusoff, Kate Patten

The students attended the Darwin Careers Expo to advocate for the profession.

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December 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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