Speak Out June 2017

Branch News

south Australia

Expo success

results were collated, and from the 429 responses the following information was gathered: • Parent: 89% • 31–40 years of age: 43% • Do you know how/where to find a SP: Yes 66% • Is it important to you that the SP is registered with SPA: Yes 79% • Have you/someone in your family seen a SP before: Yes 35% • Did you know SPs work in the following areas: o dysphagia: 31% o fussy/picky eating: 29% o voice: 59% o fluency: 59% o hearing/APD/sign language: 50% o speech: 84% o language: 63% The SA Branch will meet regularly over the next 12 months to prepare for next year’s expo, in particular resources for the public to better promote the speech pathology profession based on the feedback received at the 2017 expo. it would not be possible without you: Leeston McNab, Susan Manning, Sue Horton, Mikaela Tran, Priya Manohar, Genevieve Tan, Grace Neate, Brianna Musolino, Lizzie Newland, Tahlea Pearce, Paloma D’Addario, Cathy Clark, Ellen Gava, Alice Virgin, Rebecca Hudson, Bronwyn Timko, Robyn Littlefair, Paige Chewter, Jenny Moody, Monica Welsh and Rhianna Cheney. Thank you to all the volunteers who dedicated their time both in preparation for, and during the event,

THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BRANCH participated in the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo for the second year in a row, and it was again a very successful event. By participating in the expo, the SA Branch aimed to reach as many members of the public as possible to promote the work and support speech pathologists both in South Australia and across the country. This year a small team of dedicated volunteers worked hard in preparation for the expo, and a group of volunteers also worked during the expo to make the SA Branch’s involvement possible. The colourful display at the stand attracted members of the public, and fact sheets were available to help support parents, grandparents and professionals understanding of the work of a speech pathologist in the community. As a branch we decided to have giveaways available as a token of our appreciation for engaging with our volunteers. These included bubbles, bookmarks with literacy tips, balloons, SPA wrist bands and several other items. We also ran a competition to win the books on display. To enter the competition, expo attendees were encouraged to complete an online survey to help guide the community awareness and SA Branch’s knowledge in regards to what the general paediatric population know about the speech pathology profession. The

SA 568 members as at April 2017

Abbey Avery Community Awareness Working Group Member

38

June 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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