Speak Out October 2020 DIGITAL EDITION FINAL

Are You Okay? A Poem by Porsh Naidoo, speech pathologist MSPA CPSP “Are you okay?” They asked me but I didn’t know what to say Do I say “yeah good thanks, how are you today”? And hope they don’t see through the cracks in my smile And see that I really haven’t been feeling okay for a while Or do I tell them how I really feel? Maybe opening up and getting help is what I really need to heal They had the courage to ask, so I will have the courage to tell And one day I’ll look back and be thankful that they picked me up when I fell “Are you okay?” I’m going to ask them that today And I’m going to listen to whatever it is that they have to say Because sometimes all we need is a person to show they care A simple question can lead us almost anywhere This much I know, because when they asked, I said “not okay” And they were there for me and listened to what I had to say.

communication in the Q&A. Participants suggested follow- up sessions on developing pragmatics, literacy strategies, and the development of oral language. After the session participants received a handout outlining key services for school-aged children in WA and websites with broad information on communication support and development. Early in 2020 a WA branch member, Jackie Jenkins was fortunate to set up a meeting with Hon Sue Ellery MLC, WA Minister for Education and Training. The WA Branch were happy to provide support and seized the opportunity to discuss speech pathologists working within mainstream schools in WA. Jackie and I met with Hon Sue Ellery over the phone in June to discuss the positive impact that speech pathologists can have in schools. Jackie, Cindy Stirling, and I are working with SAWP and SPA’s National Office to make a proposal to the Minister around speech pathologists working in mainstream schools in WA. SAWP would like to take the opportunity to thank Mark Smith, Jane Delany, Sandy Fowler, and Nichola Harris at National Office as well as many SPA members around the country that have provided invaluable advice and support towards this project so far! I’m grateful to all the SAWP members for their contributions to the advocacy and awareness projects that we’ve worked on so far in 2020. These projects have linked our profession with education in new ways in for WA, and I’m sure we’ll build on this progress as 2020 continues as well as into 2021. The WA School-Aged services Working Party is looking forward to growing and advocating further for school-aged children with SLCNs into the future. Please get in touch with me, Robert. Wells@live.com.au , if you’d like to be involved.

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October 2020 | Speak Out