Speak Out June 2017

Record numbers at 2017 SPA National Conference

complete it so it arrives back to us by Monday 12 June 2017. As the survey is electronic it will only take a few minutes of your time to complete and your feedback is important in regards to the planning for future conferences. One lucky SPA member who completes the survey will win a complimentary registration for the 2018 National Conference in Adelaide. The August 2017 Issue of Speak Out will include the full “wrap up” of the 2017 National Conference WiFi, so we look forward to telling you more about it then.

ON BEHALF OF the Conference Planning Committee (CPC) I would like to thank all those who registered to attend. It was wonderful to see more than 1000 participants at the International Convention Centre, Sydney. We hope you enjoyed the Conference, which included some new innovative formats. It was wonderful to see so many people discussing presentations, enjoying the social activities and of course networking. As always we appreciate the participation of the sponsors and exhibitors who are an important component to the success of the conference. The exhibition hall was a hive of activity during the breaks. The Conference Feedback Survey was emailed to all SPA members on Monday 5 June and we ask that you please

Pamela Richards National Conference Manager

Join the conversation!

Social media update

Did you know? We have 17 members- only Facebook groups for speechies to discuss the issues that matter most. Join the conversation today! SPA ACT and NSW Branch Member Community ASP APPropriate Apps – SPA Member Group SPA Early Career Member Community SPA Northern Territory Branch Member Community SPA Queensland Branch Member Community SPA South Australia Branch Member Community SPA Ageing and Aged Care Member Community SPA Disability Member Community SPA Justice Member Community SPA Mental Health Member Community SPA Private Practice Member Community SPA Rural and Remote Member Community

Twitter May was a big month for the SPA @ SpeechPathAus Twitter handle – we hit our 8000th follower! That’s a 27% increase from the same time last year. We now have more followers than association members – a good sign that we’re reaching more and more people. Awareness about speech pathologists and the profession is growing. If you’re online, give us a follow.

@SpeechPathAus

Facebook Hot topic – Kids and screen time On 11 May, we posted an article from Time Magazine : Kids who use smartphones start talking later. The article cited growing research suggesting that screen time may have negative consequences for a young child’s development, including delaying speech. The conversation reached over 30,000 people with 226 reactions, 25 comments and 208 shares on our page alone. A hot topic indeed, but of course the evidence needs to be considered.

SPA SPEL Member Community SPA WWDC Member Community SPA Tasmania Branch Member Community

SPA Victoria Branch Member Community SPA Western Australia Branch Member Community

Don’t forget, we’re also on Instagram (@speechpathaus) and LinkedIn (Speech Pathology Australia). Look for us.

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June 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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