Speak Out October 2018

Association news

High quality applicants for research grants

The 2018 SPA research grant round again attracted applications of high quality. Reviewers considered a total of 20 applications across the three categories. Nine applications were received in the New Researcher category, five in the Nadia Verrall Memorial Research Grant category and five the Queensland Registration Board Legacy Research Grant category. Applications were reviewed by two reviewers who were blind to applicant details, and who resided in a different state. A third review was sought when there was a discrepancy of more than 10 points between the two reviews.

The winning projects were:

Nadia Verrall Memorial Research Grant Nicole McGill, Victoria

This study conceptualizes intercultural communication as a partnership process involving dialogue between people with different perspectives. To date, there are no established processes or educational resources for improving communication in this context that consider both communication partners’ perspectives. In response, five in-depth case studies will explore intercultural communication during assessment interactions from the perspectives of Yolnu families and their transdisciplinary early childhood service providers in one remote community (e.g. health, allied heath, disability, education and care services). Based on case study findings, accessible resources to facilitate effective intercultural communication will be co-created and piloted through a participatory action research approach. The study will draw on Yolnu and Indigenous decolonising methodologies using collaborative, culturally responsive research methods and a constructivist grounded theory approach. Increasing the proportion of speech pathologists from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations is an important strategy to ensure services for Australia’s culturally diverse communities are responsive and meaningful. The proportion of CALD speech pathologists in Australia do not currently represent the rapidly diversifying Australian communities they serve, and in response, the Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) Strategic Plan 2017-2019 has prioritised the identification and implementation of strategies to facilitate workforce diversity. To achieve this, evidence must be gathered to inform policy and strategies that encourage CALD practitioners to enter, participate and remain in the profession. This research project will contribute to this evidence by exploring how the practice experiences of qualified CALD speech pathologists shape their perceptions, identity and intentions to remain as a member of their profession in Australia. The themes identified will inform the development of a policy guideline and recommendations that identify the facilitators and barriers to successful practice for CALD speech pathologists. The positive strategies identified through this research that foster workforce participation for CALD speech pathologists will be converted to a taxonomic framework that articulates with SPA’s strategic vision for a diverse and dynamic workforce. Stacie Attrill, South Australia Being a culturally and linguistically diverse speech pathologist in Australia: exploring practice experiences and perspectives

Use of a website to facilitate active waiting for speech pathology The 2014 Australian Government Senate Inquiry into speech pathology services highlighted “the long waiting lists in the public system” (Commonwealth of Australia, 2014, p. 5). This is problematic for children with speech and language difficulties, as they miss the benefits of early intervention. Until the availability of speech pathology services meet demand, it is important to provide appropriate home-based interim care while children are waiting. This randomised controlled trial (RCT; commenced in March 2018) aims to evaluate whether access to an evidence- based speech pathology website (active waiting condition) compared with passive waiting (control condition) improves: (a) children’s speech, language, emergent literacy, and participation outcomes, and (b) parents’ experiences of waiting (levels of empowerment, concern, and satisfaction). Up to 99 children aged 3-6 years and their parents aim to be recruited at a Victorian community health centre. Baseline assessments (stage 2) will be undertaken at referral and follow-up assessments (stage 4) will be undertaken after 6 months. One-way ANCOVA analyses will be undertaken to measure change between the two groups across various measures of child and parent outcomes. Groups will be compared on a ‘per protocol’ and ‘intention to treat’ basis. This study is also part of a larger multi-site RCT. New Researcher Grant Emily Armstrong, Northern Territory Exploring and facilitating effective intercultural communication in early childhood assessment contexts: Working together for understanding of Yolnu children’s strengths and needs. This research seeks to understand and facilitate effective intercultural communication during assessment interactions between Yolnu (Aboriginal) families and early childhood service providers. In Indigenous communities, service providers often come from different cultural and language backgrounds to their clients. Achieving effective intercultural communication can be challenging in this context, but is pivotal to culturally-responsive, family-centred partnerships and recognition of Aboriginal children’s strengths as well as their needs. There is evidence that ineffective intercultural communication during assessment interactions can confuse difference with deficit (e.g. during assessment of communication disorders).

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October 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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