Speak Out October 2020 DIGITAL EDITION FINAL

Branch News

Speech Pathology Week 2020 at UoN

ACT/ New south wales

The theme of 'Communicating with Confidence' was celebrated at the University of Newcastle throughout Speech Pathology Week 2020. Student-run events were

organised during the week including a dysphagia cooking class and Q&A morning tea with Maitland Aphasia Group. These events raised awareness for the profession and increased students’ understanding of the areas speech pathologists work in, and the types of people they work with. The two events took place on Zoom to allowed all students to attend despite COVID-19. The dysphagia cooking class involved a presentation from Hollie-Ann Shortland, a UoN lecturer on dysphagia and respected clinician in the field with extensive knowledge and experience in dysphagia. The cooking class followed! We made chocolate-avocado pudding and meatballs and veggie mash, all of which can be included in a texture-modified diet. This event allowed students to understand and interact with the types of food that people with dysphagia can prepare and eat. The online morning tea with Maitland Aphasia Group was an opportunity for students to spend time with people with aphasia through questions and conversation. Students and members of the group played games together. Members of the Aphasia Group provided students with lots of ideas for communicating and working with people with aphasia as well as lots of fun and interesting conversations. Running events online during Speech Pathology Week allowed us to continue to raise awareness despite not being on campus and also provide opportunities for students to interact and spend time together while classes are predominantly online.

ACT 128 NSW 3192 members as at September 2020

Sara Nicita University of Newcastle Student

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October 2020 | Speak Out