Speak Out Feb 2020 DIGITAL EDITION. pdf

Association news

awareness day Wednesday 18 March 2020

How can you get involved in 2020? Members can get involved in Swallowing Awareness Day 2020 in a number of ways 1. Get involved in our social media competition. You can find details on the Association’s website: www. speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/ swallowing 2. Engage in the wider social media conversation to promote Swallowing Awareness Day 2020 and to highlight dysphagia. Don’t forget to include the appropriate handles and hashtags: @SpeechPathAus #swallowingaware2020 #dysphagia 1. Download the Swallowing Awareness Day campaign materials from

Theme set for Swallowing Awareness Day

The theme for Swallowing Awareness Day in 2020 is: Dysphagia. A difficult diagnosis to swallow. The selection of the same theme as used in 2019 is an attempt to reinforce the importance of Swallowing Awareness Day and draw attention to the danger of swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). It is estimated that up to one million Australians have a swallowing difficulty, and Swallowing Awareness Day is an opportunity to bring attention to swallowing disorders and to connect people with speech pathologists, the professionals who can help. Like breathing, swallowing is essential to everyday life. Humans swallow at least 500-700 times a day, around three times an hour during sleep, once per minute while awake and even more during meals. In 2020, Speech Pathology Australia will again coordinate its campaign with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists in an endeavour to highlight how dysphagia affects people’s lives, and how speech and language therapy transforms the experiences of those living with the condition. Swallowing problems can occur at any stage of life. However, knowledge of dysphagia and its implications remain largely unknown for most Australians. For this reason, the Association and its Board of Directors felt a designated day to promote the effects and management of dysphagia was warranted. Swallowing Awareness Day continues to go from strength to strength.

Swallowing Awareness Day page on the Association’s website: www. speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/ swallowing

2. Hold an event in your workplace that highlights the impact of swallowing on people’s lives. 3. Download the Swallowing Awareness Day email signature graphic.

Michael Kerrisk Manager Communications and Marketing

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/swallowing

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February 2020 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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