Speak Out June 2017

Speech Pathology in Schools

We asked, you responded, your views! AS PART OF THE SPEECH PATHOLOGY IN SCHOOLS PROJECT SPA CONDUCTED A NATIONAL SURVEY OF SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS WORKING IN EDUCATION. THERE WAS AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THE SURVEY ACROSS AUSTRALIA WITH 715 RESPONDENTS; 70 PER CENT WERE SPA MEMBERS AND 30 PER CENT WERE NON-MEMBERS!

Respondents reported: • The hours spent in schools ranged from once a term to three days weekly. • The number of schools serviced weekly ranged from 1 to more than 10 schools. • The hourly rate charged ranged from $65 to $200. • The percentage of time spent in schools conducting assessments, report writing, screening, therapy, consultation,

Professional development topics included: • curriculum guidelines, types of educational programs and terminology; • SPA guidelines regarding best practice interventions for educational speech pathology which includes in-class support, team teaching, response to intervention and collaborative practice, literacy and links to oral language; • workload/caseload management, appropriate fees, individual education plans, service agreements, negotiating with school leadership teams; • knowledge of developmental norms for primary and secondary students; • best ways to communicate with parents including home programs; • appropriate workshops for teachers.

collaboration and professional development varied considerably and no obvious themes emerged.

When asked what would have been useful when commencing work in schools, the main themes reported were professional development, a speech pathology in schools special interest group, mentoring and supervision.

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June 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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