SpeakOut_Feb2014_electronic

speak out FEBRUARY 2014

Marvellous Melbourne Registrations for Speech Pathology Australia’s 2014 National Conference now open!

speak out FEBRUARY 2014

National Office Level 2/11–19 Bank Place Melbourne VIC 3000 T 1300 368 835 F 03 9642 4922 E office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Chief Executive Officer Gail Mulcair T 03 9642 4899 E execassist@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Speech Pathology Australia Board Deborah Theodoros – President Gaenor Dixon – Vice President Communications Meg Maggiore – Vice President Operations

Highlights in this issue...

PAGE 14: 2014 SPA NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Join us in Melbourne for Connections: client. clinician.context

Stacie Attrill – Director Felicity Burke – Director Tennille Burns – Director Teena Caithness – Director Michelle Foley – Director Robyn Stephen – Director

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Copyright © 2014 The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Speak Out is the official bi-monthly magazine of The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Ltd. Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) owns the copyright to Speak Out and no part of this magazine may be reproduced without the explicit permission of SPA. Advertisements Please refer to the ‘Publications’ menu at www.speechpathology australia.org.au to view the 2014 Speak Out ad kit. Any queries may be directed to Lana Busby, Publications Officer T 1300 368 835 E pubs@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Advertising Booking Dates for April 2014 Speak Out The official booking form must be received at National Office by COB Friday 7 March 2014 .

Communication International Project

2014

PAGE 8: Welcome to the launch of ICP2014; PAGE 12: Speech Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year Awards gets a facelift!

Speak Out Branch Editors ACT – via pubs@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

New South Wales – Jesica Rennie Northern Territory – Erin Coonan

Contents 3 From the President

Queensland – Simone Howells and Makaela Steel South Australia – Emma Leeson and Josie Kemp Tasmania – Kate Day Victoria – Shane Erickson Western Australia – Johanna Eppler Please see the website for Branch Editor contact details. Disclaimer

10 2013 SPA highlights 12 2014 Book of the Year 14 2014 National Conference 16 National CPD Update 20 Professional Practice News Protecting your clients’ privacy 22 SPA online update 24 Branch Pages: • New South Wales • Queensland • Tasmania • Victoria • Western Australia

4 Association News

• Senate Inquiry update • Fellowship Committee nominations • 2014 Research Grant program • CPSP information • Association Award nominations • The Allied Health Hub • 2014 Online Resource Guide now available! • Professional Support Advisor 8 ICP2014 Launch

To the best of The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited’s (‘the Association’) knowledge, this information is valid at the time of publication. The Association makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content or accuracy of the material in this publication. The Association expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of the information provided. The Association recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in this publication. Print Post Approved PP349181/01711 ISSN 1446-053X

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Speech Pathology Australia

From the President

Welcome to the first issue of Speak Out for 2014. I hope that everyone has had an enjoyable festive season and a happy New Year.

engage in our Australian campaign, Nation for Communication, during the ICP2014. Each year, we seek to recognise the preeminent achievements of our members through the Fellowship and Life member awards of the Association. Please consider nominating colleagues who have demonstrated sustained and outstanding professional careers for these awards. One such example of excellence is Associate Professor Dimity Dornan, Hear and Say Centre, who was recently awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day awards. On behalf of the profession, I would like to congratulate Dimity on this prestigious award and for her remarkable achievements which have raised awareness of our profession in the community. This issue of Speak Out highlights the upcoming National Conference – Connections: client. clinician.context in May which will once again showcase a wide variety of research and clinical activities in speech pathology. Our international keynote speakers, Dr Sue Roulstone and Dr Susan Langmore, will spearhead the conference in two important areas of practice, paediatric speech and language impairment, and dysphagia, respectively. Associate Professor Jacinta Douglas will present the Elizabeth Usher Memorial Lecture and receive this award. The National Conference is the peak event of the Association each year and provides an excellent opportunity for members to update their knowledge, and network with colleagues. Registration for the conference is now open. A busy year ahead, but one that will provide numerous opportunities for all members to engage in professional activities.

This is the first issue of Speak Out to be offered to members in a digital format. I hope that members who have elected to receive Speak Out electronically are enjoying the freedom of reading this magazine when and wherever they choose on their mobile devices. As we begin a new year, it is gratifying to reflect upon the achievements of the Association over the past 12 months – a new constitution and Board structure and governance, very successful lobbying activities, and the drafting of a new strategic plan, to name just a few worthy accomplishments. A major achievement for the Association after tenacious lobbying has been the decision by the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee to undertake a National Inquiry into the social and economic impact of communication and swallowing disorders in the Australian community in 2014. By the time you receive this Speak Out , the Association, members, clients, affiliated professionals, and members of the community will have provided submissions to the Inquiry for their deliberations. An inquiry such as this is a significant milestone for the profession and I thank all of you who have contributed to having our voice heard in this prominent forum. This year sees the official launch of the International Communication Project 2014 on 21 February during a global interactive forum in which interested persons discussed communication and swallowing issues with six leaders of speech pathology associations around the world. The ICP2014 together with the National Inquiry provide an unprecedented opportunity for members to showcase our profession, influence policy, and highlight unmet service needs. I encourage all of you to

DEBORAH THEODOROS National President

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

The Nadia Verrall Memorial Research Grant: One grant will be awarded up to a maximum of $5,000. This grant is awarded to research applications focusing on children with communication disorders and their families. The Association is dedicated to supporting the development of evidence-based data relevant to communication and swallowing disorders and was very pleased with the high number of grant applications in 2013. Priority will be given to research applications that align with the Association’s strategic plan. Please refer to the SPA website for application details and closing dates. We look forward to receiving your research grant applications soon. GAIL MULCAIR Chief Executive Officer NOMINATIONS ARE NOW being called for members to join the Association’s Fellowship Committee. The Fellowship Committee comprises seven members – including the Vice President Communications, three Speech Pathology Australia Fellows, and three non- Fellows appointed by the Board of Directors. Each position on the Committee is for a period of three to five years. The Committee’s purpose is to review applications for transfer to Fellowship and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. As part of this responsibility, the Committee may be required to review the processes involved in evaluating nominations for transfer to Fellowship. It is expected that the members nominated will have had considerable expertise, over a period of time, in the profession through avenues such as clinical practice and leadership, clinical education and supervision and/or academic teaching. Members who feel qualified to make a significant contribution to the Fellowship Committee’s deliberations should nominate using the form available from National Office ( execassist@speechpathologyaustralia.org. au ) or downloaded from the website. Each nomination should include a brief summary of no more than one page, detailing their professional qualifications and experience. Please note: The consent of the person who is being nominated must be obtained before the nomination is submitted. A member may nominate him/herself for the Fellowship Committee. Nominations close 31 March 2014 . All nominations will be acknowledged. Fellowship Committee

Senate Inquiry update Submissions closed 21 February.

IN LINE WITH the Association’s commitment to promoting and funding high quality research, we are pleased to offer research grants in the following categories for 2014. Clinician Research Grants: Two grants will be awarded, one of a maximum value of $5,000 and one to a maximum value of $10,000. These grants are available for clinically based research and are not available for research related to postgraduate studies or research undertaken by an academic. Postgraduate Research Grant: Two grants will be awarded, one of a maximum value of $5,000 and one of a maximum value of $10,000. These grants are available to speech pathologists enrolled in postgraduate studies. Undergraduate Research Grant: Four grants will be awarded of up to $600 each. These grants are available to entry-level students enrolled in a research program. 2014 Research Grant Program We need your help in providing the Committee with possible site visits that highlight exceptional services or programs, or lack of services. Email your ideas to execassist@speech pathologyaustralia.org.au / jwood@speechpathology australia.org.au before Friday 14 March . I look forward to continuing to update you about the progress of this important opportunity. GAIL MULCAIR Chief Executive Officer CONGRATULATIONS! Despite the tight timeline, the speech pathology profession has pulled together to provide the Senate Community Affairs References Committee comprehensive information upon which to begin their investigations. Thank you to everybody who encouraged their workplace or clients to make a submission, spread the message through their networks, transcribed a client’s story, offered assistance to the Association or wrote a submission themselves. Your support and encouragement during this process has been overwhelming. On behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone at National Office, thank you. The Senate website displays all the submissions made to the Inquiry, including the submission Speech Pathology Australia made on members’ and the profession’s behalf. You can find a link to the page, as well as a copy of our submission on the Senate Inquiry page of our website. From here, the Senate Committee will review the submissions and begin planning public hearings. Based on the information they have received and in consultation with SPA, dates and locations will be formed and we expect that the hearings will take place in April/May.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Thank you to the SPA membership for demonstrating your commitment to ongoing professional education by meeting CPSP requirements with your 2014 renewal …

The percentage of CPSPs in 2014 is a marked increase on the 2013 renewals. At this point in time, over 94% of eligible 2014 members have earned CPSP status (excluding non-eligible membership categories and new graduates). This is a fantastic growth from last year where the percentage was 72%, which was in itself a marked increase from the preceding years (for renewals from 2003 to 2012, the percentage of eligible members who were CPSP ‘sat’ consistently at around 45%). Looking to 2015 renewals … The Association will continue to aim to strengthen the demonstration of members’ commitment and obligation to undertake professional development – as reflected in earning CPSP status. SPA views continuing professional education as an integral component of professional practice and an underlying responsibility of practising members. SPA will continue to communicate with members in regard to future developments and strengthening of CPSP status. This direction is reflected in the Association’s new strategic plan, to be distributed to members in the near future. If you undertook PSR activities that count towards CPSP status but did not declare them when you renewed or are on Direct Debit, it’s not too late to submit your PSR Declaration now. You can either download the PSR Declaration form online and email it in, or contact National Office for an electronic declaration to be emailed to you. Once your record is updated to reflect that you have met the requirements to be a CPSP, you will be mailed a revised membership certificate that includes your CPSP status. Please feel free to contact Sharon Crane, Senior Advisor, Professional Education & Certification, at National Office on 1300 368 835 or email scrane@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au . You can still submit PSR points for your 2014 renewal – it’s not too late to earn CPSP status for 2014.

SHARON CRANE Senior Advisor Professional Education and Certification (CPD & PSR)

Time to get your Association award nominations in now!

AS A NEW YEAR begins, it is time to get pen to paper and start nominating your colleagues for an Association award. The Association offers a range of awards to recognise those members that have contributed significantly to the profession and the Association. Members from many backgrounds, with varying years of experience and contribution can be nominated. The range of awards includes the Early Career Award, for those members new to the profession who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in their contributions to the Association, through to the awards of Life Membership and Fellowship, which recognises those with considerable experience including broad and ongoing contribution to the profession. Don’t forget the Community Contribution award, available for non-member organisations and individuals who have

contributed through activities including lobbying and advocacy for the profession. If you know of a member you believe should be recognised for their contribution to the profession and Association, start nominating now! If you are uncertain of which award and how to nominate, further detail of the range of awards, criteria and nomination process can be located under the Information for Members tab on the website. Award nominations must be forwarded to National Office before the end of April to ensure recipients receive their award at the 2014 AGM (May 2014). For further information contact Gaenor Dixon via email at vp.gdixon@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au .

GAENOR DIXON Vice President Communications

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

The Allied Health Hub: Information to help allied health professionals provide end-of-life care ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS now have access to high quality online palliative care information to better support clients who are approaching the end of life through the Allied Health Hub on the CareSearch website. Allied health professionals contribute to a range of palliative care responsibilities, including: • optimising patients’ functioning despite their deterioration; • providing support to patients, carers and families in relation to their emotional, spiritual and social needs, enabling them to participate in life; • facilitating the achievement of end-of-life goals; • assisting patients to stay out of hospitals for longer periods; and • helping people to recognise that many of the symptoms they experience can be managed. The Allied Health Hub was developed with allied health professionals and academics. The Hub topics were informed by consultation with an allied health advisory group and include sections on Clinical Considerations; Interdisciplinary Teams; Evidence, Quality and Research; and Working with Patients, Carers and Families. Resources will continue to be added to the Hub as new needs are identified. As a web resource, the site is available whenever it is needed. It is free and doesn’t require registration for access. Funded by the Department of Health and managed by Flinders University, all of the content on the CareSearch website is peer-reviewed for quality and currency. CareSearch can be accessed 24 hours a day at www.caresearch.com.au . Australian Allied Health in Palliative Care Australian Allied Health in Palliative Care (AAHPC) formed at the Palliative Care Australia (PCA) conference in Cairns in 2011. We have similar membership to that of the CareSearch AH Hub, comprised of the six disciplines of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Social Work, Dietetics and Psychology. Connecting more than 150 Allied Health clinicians,

Flexible training with ‘real life’ case studies for disability professionals and students.

Cerebral Palsy Alliance has a new online learning course. Disability Dynamic offers quality learning resources to people who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of

others by working in the disability sector. Study anywhere, anytime, any place

Find out more by visiting cerebralpalsy.org.au/dq or give us a call on (02) 9975 8715

Consulting rooms for rent – Burwood, Melbourne VIC

Share with paediatric psychology practice. NEW consulting rooms with medical permits. Unfurnished room avail full-time. Two furnished rooms avail sessionally. Meeting room also available for hire. • Adjacent café and parkland, across from a primary school • All day free parking in surrounding streets • Ground floor, disabled access and shower facilities, kitchenette • Split system heating and cooling • WiFi access, photocopying facilities • Meet and greet during limited reception hours • In-house advertising on rolling screen in waiting area Photos for viewing at https://www.facebook.com/ OutsidetheSquarePsychology?ref=hl Contact Kirsty: 0431 710 780, kirsty@outsidethesquarepsychology.com.au

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Professional Support Advisor HI EVERYONE . I’m back! I was pleased to be employed as the project officer to review SPA’s Mentoring Program as I had previously

researchers and academics, we have members and representation from every state and territory. The nature of palliative care is changing as we keep people alive for longer. People are receiving palliative care for longer but living with increasing periods of debility and functional decline. Palliative care is often seen as synonymous with terminal care. However, terminal care, while part of the disease trajectory, only relates to the last days to hours of life. Prior to this time, research demonstrates that people retain an ongoing desire to participate as actively as possible in the life that remains. Allied Health have a pivotal role to play in the management and care of people receiving palliative care to optimise function and to facilitate participation in everyday activities for as long as people are able. AAHPC seeks to provide a forum to engage and support Allied Health clinicians and academics who have a vision to: • expand the allied health profile in palliative care to relevant disciplines, professional bodies, academic communities, State and Federal Governments; • conduct research and implement evidence- based allied health practice in palliative care; and The impetus behind AAHPC is to achieve best possible outcomes for patients and their families. If you are interested in finding out more about AAHPC’s strategic focus and objectives please contact Deidre Morgan: deidre.morgan@flinders. edu.au or Pauline Cerdor: apcerdor@bigpond. com . • connect and inform clinicians.

worked as the National Coordinator of the Mentoring Program and have a strong commitment to the success of the program. In between leaving and returning I completed a PhD and accreditation in Video Interaction Guidance. I have continued to work as a

Speech Pathologist at Able Australia in the Deafblind Services team and working on research projects at Deakin, Melbourne and Monash Universities (not all at once). I’m really looking forward to working with you all in this new role to develop high quality resources related to professional support focusing on mentoring and supervision in particular.

Changes to mentoring program and professional support for members

The Speech Pathology Australia Mentoring Program was reviewed at the end of 2013 as it was recognised that the existing program had a number of issues which required addressing. These included: • inconsistencies between states and territories depending on the presence or absence of then Branch Mentoring Leaders, • issues related to mentees seeking mentoring as a substitute for supervision, in the absence of supervision being provided in their workplace, • mentees being matched with mentors but then lacking commitment to the mentoring process for a variety of reasons including finding they had better support in their workplace than they were anticipating, • more mentees registering than mentors. To address these issues as well as streamlining the matching process, the program has become more mentee driven with mentees now expected to undertake their own search for a mentor. It is envisaged that this process will assist: • mentees to discover a variety of other professional support options available to them, • only mentees committed to the process to register with the program, • the time it takes to be matched to a mentor to be directly proportional to the motivation of the mentee, • to reflect more at the outset upon their needs and preferences with regard to what they want from a mentoring partnership. Mentees and mentors interested in participating in the program should go to www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au . If you have any questions regarding mentoring, supervision, or other professional support options, please contact me on 1300 368 835 or via psa@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au .

2014 Online Resource Guide now available! Speech Pathology Australia’s 2014 Online

Resource Guide provides members and the public with a reference manual of products and services which may be of use. The Online Resource Guide is

an interactive resource, complete with links to websites and email addresses, and enabled to be conveniently viewed on portable devices such as mobile phones and tablets. To view the 2014 Online Resource Guide, click on the Publications menu on our website.

MEREDITH PRAIN Professional Support Advisor (Tuesday only)

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collaboration about communication! Launch of the first international

Communication International Project

2014

Welcome the International Communication Project! You’ve received an ICP2014 I communicate card. Help launch the ICP around the world: 1. Take a picture with the I communicate card 2. Share your pictures by emailing jwood@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au , tweeting to @SpeechPathAus , posting to our Facebook page or sharing on Instagram ( speechpathologyaus ). Don’t forget to use hashtag #ICP2014 !

The ICP2014 officially launched at 7am AEDT on 21 February . The Google Hangout format allowed people all around the world to be part of the discussion about communication disorders and pose questions to the panel (made up of the heads of ASHA, SAC (formerly CASLPA), IASLT, NZSTA, RCSLT and SPA). The event is available for you to watch – or re-watch – via www.communication2014.com . To celebrate the project’s official launch, breakfasts to watch the Google Hangout were held around Australia. Visit www.nationforcommunication.org for pictures and stories. Don’t forget to follow the ICP2014’s social media accounts for updates, inspiration and stories from around the globe. Mee t the key players of the ICP2014

ICP2014 is in full swing in Australia with over 400 members already signing up to be Nation for Communication Champions .

The people have volunteered their time to look for ways – big and small – to raise awareness about communication disorders in their community. It doesn’t matter if you only have five minutes or an hour, every activity, conversation, event and signature to the ICP2014’s Communication Pledge is important.

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Speech Pathology Australia

David O’Loughlin, SA State Candidate (Adelaide) shows his support for the ICP2014.

Thank you to all the speech pathologists, clients, other professionals (and their loved ones!) who are getting into the spirit of the ICP2014!

The Angliss Hospital (VIC) speech pathology team made some delicious ICP2014-themed cupcakes!

SPA member Sue Horton created ICP2014 bookmarks to distribute.

National Office staff display their ‘I communicate’ cards.

Some of the events already planned include: • Morning teas without words • Collaborative art projects • In-service and training for other AHPs, teachers and parents • Stands at community events • Speech bubble art competitions

Find out more about becoming a Nation for Communication Champion on our website along with ideas of how the ICP2014 can be part of your life this year. Thank you for your ongoing support of the ICP2014 and we look forward to an exciting year.

JOANNA WOOD Communications & Marketing Manager

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SPA looks back on the highlights from 2013

• Successful Branch lobbying campaign in Western Australia, resulting in 11 new positions created (March) • Despite active lobbying (1) , cessation of registration of speech pathologists in Queensland (May) • SPA membership voted in a new constitution (2) , marking a new era for the Association (June) • Fellowships awarded to Sue Horton (3) and Dr Amanda Scott (4) , and Recognition of Service Award to Jade Cartwright (5) (June) • Sea Change: Synthesize, Evaluate, Act! National Conference on the Gold Coast, attended by 755 delegates (6) and featuring • Launch of online Member Communities, including growth in number of communities available to members (June) (10) • New suite of fact sheets launched, including new speech, AAC and stuttering sheets, as well as in Easy English (June) (11) • Launch of the Speech Pathology in Youth Custodial Education (SPyce) report, to over 100 attendees from the education, health and government sectors (August) (12) • #SPWeek 2013 Start the Conversation one of our most successful ever (August) (13) • Chris Stone (14) retired as President after three years in the role, and Professor Deb Theodoros (15) began her term (September) eminent speakers such as Dr Rosemary Martino (7) , Dr Tiffany Hogan (8) and Professor Sharynne McLeod (9) (June)

1 From left, Meredith Kilminster, Gaenor Dixon, Gail Mulcair and Petrea Cornwell outside the QLD Parliament.

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Communication impairment inAustralia

Stuttering

What isaSpeechPathologist?

What iscommunication? Communication involves speaking,hearing, listening,understanding, social skills, reading,writing and using voice. What iscommunication impairment? Peoplewhohavedifficultycommunicatingmay require assistancewith: Speech: involves saying the sounds inwords so thatpeople canunderstandwhat is being said.For example,a childwhodoesn’t saywordsclearlyoranadultwho slurs their speech after anaccident. Language: involves theexchangeof ideasusingwords,usually in spokenorwritten form. Forexample, a childwhohas troubleunderstandingand following instructionsoran adultwho can’t find the rightwords aftera stroke. Literacy: involves reading,understandingwhat is read and communicating inwritten form. SocialCommunication: ishowwe communicateand involves interpreting the contextofa conversation,understandingnon-verbal information and the social rulesof communication thatareneeded todevelopa relationshipwith anotherperson. Voice: using the vocal cordsor voicebox toproduce speech.Forexample,apersonwho frequently loses their voiceor apersonwhohashad surgery for throatcancer. Fluency: commonly known as stuttering.Thisproblem isusuallyfirstnoticedwhena child starts putting sentences togetherbut can continue into adulthood.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

AugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication is also calledAAC.

Communication problems inAustralia

AAC areways to communicatewhen a person ●can not speak ●is hard to understand ●finds it hard to understand other people. Peoplemay usemanyways to communicate. For example, ●objects ●picture boards or books

Communication impairment ismore common than you think...

Stuttering isaspeechdisorder thatcauses interruptions in the rhythmorflowofspeech. These interruptionsmay include

13,000Australiansuse electroniccommunicationaids togettheirmessageacross impairmentaresixtimesmore likelytohaveareadingproblem thanchildrenwithout 46%ofyoungAustralianoffenders havealanguageimpairment Thereisahighcorrelation betweencommunication difficultiesandpoormentalhealth Threeinevery1,000newborns havehearingloss,whichwithout interventioncanaffecttheir speech,languageandliteracy. Indigenouschildrenhavethree timesmorehearingproblems thannon-Indigenouschildren

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•Childrenwithautism,Down Syndrome,andCerebralPalsy

Speechpathologists study,diagnoseand treatcommunicationdisorders, includingdifficulties with speech, language, swallowing,fluency and voice. Theyworkwithpeoplewhohavedifficultycommunicatingbecauseofdevelopmentaldelays, stroke,brain injuries, learningdisability, intellectualdisability,cerebralpalsy,dementiaand hearing loss, aswellasotherproblems thatcan affect speechand language.

Communication problems are problemswith ●speaking

repeated sounds ( c-c-can ), syllables ( da-da-daddy ),words ( and-and-and ) orphrases ( Iwant-Iwant-Iwant ). Repetitionsmighthappenonce ( b-ball, can-can )ormultiple times ( I-I-I-I-Iwant, m-m-m-m-m-m-mummy ).Stuttering mayalso includeprolongations, where soundsorpartsof theword are stretchedout ( caaaaan Igo )and blocks.Blocksareoften silentandare seenwhen it looks like theperson is stuck, trying to speakwithno sound comingout.Thereareoften secondary behaviourswhichaccompany stuttering. Thesemaybe verbaland includegrunts, smallnon-speech sounds, fillerwords

oftenbegintheirlifewitha communicationimpairment 20%offouryearoldchildren havedifficultyunderstandingor usinglanguage 14%of15yearoldshaveonly basicliteracyskills 28%ofteacherstaketimeoff workeachyearbecauseof voiceproblems •Atleast30%ofpeoplepost-stroke sufferlossoflanguage(aphasia) • 85%ofthosewithParkinson’s diseasehavevoice,speechand/ orswallowingdifficulties

tobecausedbydifferences inbrain activity related to speechproduction. Thismeans that stuttering isnotusually causedor triggeredbyanevent,person, experience, stressoranxiety.Some people inheritapredisposition to stutter. Whodoesstutteringaffect? Stuttering can affect children, adolescents and adults.Around1% of thepopulation experiences stuttering

•Childrenwithalanguage

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●hearing ●listening ●understanding ●social skills ●reading ●writing ●using voice.

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Peoplewhoexperiencedifficulties swallowing food anddrink safelycanalsobehelpedby a speechpathologist.

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(puttingwords together andbeing understood)or receptive language (understanding instructions and meanings).Speechpathologists alsoworkwithAugmentative and AlternativeCommunication (AAC), devices that helppeoplewho find itdifficult to speak orwrite to communicatemore easily.This can include ‘unaided systems’ like signing andgesturesor ‘aided systems’ likepicture charts,books and special computersordevices.

Augmentativeand AlternativeCommunication

at any given time and asmany as 5% across a life time.Stuttering usually starts in early childhood, oftenby the age of three. Itmay start gradually overdays,week ormonths, or it canbe sudden, over hours or a day.Stutteringmay change in typeor frequency over time. Itmaydecrease or seem togo away forperiods of time. TheSoundofSpeech:0 to3 years Theagesand stgesofchildren’s speechdevelopment

Using assessment tools, speech pathologists are able todiagnose eachperson’s specificproblem and devise a treatmentplan thatbest suits their needs. Speechpathologists are specialists might visit a speechpathologist to help them understand and find the rightwords to use after a stroke, while a childmight need treatment to help their expressive language whoworkwithpeople across their entire lifespan.An adult

• Helping yourbaby to talk

●spelling boards ●speech devices ●computers ●mobile phones ●computer tablets.

( um/er )orpauses.Theycanalsobe non-verbal likegrimacing,blinkingor bodymovements. Theexactcauseof stuttering is unknown.Speechdisordersare thought

Language is fundamental to yourbaby’sdevelopment.Everybaby learns to speakby listening,playingwith sounds and talking toothers. Babiesbegin to learn from themoment theyareborn –first receptive language skills (understandingwhat theyhear), thenexpressive language skills (speaking). You canhelpdevelopboth kindsof language skillsby talking,watching, listening,playingand sharingbookswith yourbaby.

Recent research inAustralia indicates that8.5%of3 yearold childrenexperience stuttering. Learning to speak isa crucialpar of achild’sdevelopmentand themost intensiveperiod of speechand languagedevelopmenthappens in thefirst three yearsof life. Even though children vary in theirdevelopmentof speech and language, thereare certain ‘milestones’ that canbe identifiedasa roughguide tonormaldevelopment.Typically, these skillsmustbe reachedat certainagesbeforemore complex skills canbe learned.These milestoneshelp speechpathologistsdetermine ifachildmayneed extrahelp to learn to speak oruse language.

What can cause communicationproblems? There are lots of causes.For example, ●brain disorders from birth, like autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy ●medical problems, like cleft palate and lumps on the vocal cords ●hearing impairment ●diseases, likeAlzheimer’s and Parkinson’sDisease ●brain damage from accident or illness.

Talking •

•Watchyourbabyandcopytheir actionsandsounds.Showthem newactionsandactivities •Choosegamesandtoys appropriatetoyourbaby’sage thatencourageexploration, problemsolvingandinteraction betweenyouandyourbaby. • Fingergames,softdollsand stuffedtoys,balls,blocksand activityboardsallhelptodevelop yourbaby’sfingersandhands, aswellaslisteningandlearning skills •Buildarepertoireofsongsand rhymes.Singingthesamewords overandoveragainwillhelpyour babylearnlanguageandrhythm languageandthinkingskills,preparing childrenforlearningtoreadandwrite. •Readtoandwithyourbabyfrom birth–makebookspartofyour dailyroutine •Choosebookswithlarge,bright Sharebooks Earlyreadingpromotesgood pictures.Babieslovepicturesof otherbabiesandphotosoftheir family Pointtoandnameobjects,animals orpeople–eventuallyyourbaby willrespond

Talktoyourbabyoften,speaking slowly,clearlyandsimply Emphasisewordsfortheobjects mostcommonlyusedinyour baby’sworld •Useavarietyofwordstodescribe whatishappeningaroundyou,not justthenamesofthings •Repeatwords–yourbabywill begintounderstandthemeaning ofthemiftheyhearthemoften Imitatethesoundsyourbaby makesorsaythewordthey maybetryingtouse •Commentonthesoundsyou heartodrawyourbaby’sattention tothesound Taketurnswhenyoutalkand play,pausingtolistenandspeak justlikeyouwouldinanadult conversation • • Playing •Babieslearnabouttalkingand listeningthroughplay,soit’s importanttosetasidetimetoplay withyourbabyeachday •Createopportunitiesforyourbaby toplaywithotherchildrenby joiningaplaygrouportoylibrary, •

Babies:0-1 year During their first year, childrendevelop the ability to hear and recognise the soundsof theirparents’ language.They experimentwith soundsbybabbling (e.g. “baba”, “babamada”), and over time, theirbabblingbegins to soundmore andmore like realwords. What canmostbabiesdo? •Between0-3monthsbabies communicateby crying, cooing, smiling, and making eye contact •Between3-6monthsbabies communicateby crying, cooing, smiling, making eye contact,pointing,blowing raspberries and laughing •Between6-9monthsbabies communicatebybabbling, using sounds madewith the lips (e.g.b andm) in sequences like “baba” and later “bamada” •Between 9-12monthsbabies communicatebybabbling, usingmore sounds (e.g.d,m, n, h,w, t) • Around12monthsbabiesbegin to usewords Whatdomanybabies still finddifficult? Babies can’t saywords the sameway as adultsdo andoften simplifywords (e.g.biscuitbecomes “bi”). Howcanparentshelp? Childrenwhodo notprogress through this stageof “playingwith sounds” are at riskof speechdifficulties later.Parents can helpby talking to their infants and responding to any attemptsby their infants to communicate (e.g.by copying theirbabbling). For information about helping yourbaby to talk, see the “ Helping yourbaby to talk” fact sheet.

What is aSpeech Pathologist?

What isAAC? AugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication (AAC) isany typeofcommunicationstrategy forpeople witha rangeofconditionswhohavesignificantdifficultiesspeaking.

Whymightsomeoneneed to useAAC? If aperson is not able speak theymay need a variety ofdifferent types ofAAC systems to communicate. Somepeople also needAAC systems and strategies to understand another person’smessage. Peoplewho havedifficulties speaking often needboth high technology sytems, low technology systems and unaided AACdepending onwhere they are and withwhom they are communicating. OneAAC systemor strategymay notbe sufficient tomeet all of their needs, all of the time.

Thereare twomain types ofAAC –aidedAACand unaidedAAC. AidedAAC is any external item used to aid communication (e.g. object symbols, communicationboards,books, key-ringmini-cards,wallets, speech generatingdevice, computer,mobile phone, tablet).AidedAAC includesboth high technology systems and low/light technology systems. UnaidedAAC refers to communication techniques thatdo not require the use of an external aid.That is, theperson useswhatever is available to them, generally theirownbody.Examples of unaidedAAC include using eye contact, facial expression,body language,gestures andmanual sign.

Speech pathologistsworkwith peoplewith ●communication problems ●swallowing problems.

Speech pathologists ●study ●assess ●work out the problem

Helping yourbaby to talk

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orspendingtimewithpeople whoalsohaveyoungchildren

●give advice ●give therapy ●find the right tools for you.

Speechpathologyand Indigenouschildren

Speechpathology in mentalhealth services

TheSoundofSpeech: preschooland schoolagedchildren Theagesand stagesofchildren’s speech development

Babies start learningwhen they are born.

Babies understandwhat they hear first. Next babies learn to speak. Babies learn to speak by ●listening ●playingwith sounds and ●talking to others.

Communicationproblems include problemswith ●speech ●language ●swallowing ●stuttering ●voice.

Mentalhealth Mentalhealth is related topromotionofwell-beingandprevention, treatment and rehabilitation ofpeople affectedbymentalhealthdisorders.Mentalhealthdisordersaffect aperson’s social, emotional and/orbehavioural functioningand canbe influencedby anumberof individual and environmental factors includingbiological,psychologicaland social factors. Communication impairment Communicationdisordersmay involvedifficulties inoneormoreof the following: •Speechproduction •Understandingwhatotherpeople are saying • Formulating ideas intowords to talk toor respond toothers •Having the social skills required to interactappropriatelywithothers across the lifespan ina varietyof situations

Learning to speak is a crucialpartof achild’sdevelopment andprogressmade in thepreschool andearly school years is crucial tomastering the rulesof language. Even thoughchildrenvary in theirdevelopmentofspeechand language, therearecertain ‘milestones’ thatcanbe identifiedasa roughguide tonormaldevelopment.Typically, theseskillsmustbe reachedatcertainagesbeforemorecomplexskillscanbe learned.Thesemilestoneshelpspeech pathologistsdeterminewhethera childmayneedextrahelp to learn to speakoruse language.

Preschool children: 3 to 5 years Preschool children start to usemuch longer sentences, yet their speech should stillbe understoodby unfamiliarpeople (outsideof the family) about75% of the time.By5 years of age, anyone (including unfamiliar listeners) shouldbe able to understand the child’s speech in conversation 95-100% of the time. What canmost childrendo? • By4 years, children can saymost sounds correctly (e.g.,m, n, h,w,p,b, t,d, k,g, ng, f, y, s, z, ch, j, sh, l).They can usemany consonant clusters, which are combinationsof twoormore sounds (e.g., tw, sp, gl).Children may use clusters at the start (e.g.,blue)or endofwords (e.g., hand).Also, childrenwill saymost vowel sounds inwords correctly (e.g., ay, oh, ee). • Between 4-5 years,preschool children start todevelop skills thatwillbe important for learning to read andwrite (called “pre-literacy skills”).They become aware that spokenwords can rhyme (e.g., cat –bat), and canbe broken into syllables/beats (e.g., am-bu-lance). Whatdomany children still finddifficult? • Some sounds are later todevelop and childrenmay still havedifficultywith them at this age. For instance,preschool children commonly havedifficulty with “r” (e.g., saying “wed” for red), “v” (e.g., saying “berry” for very), and “th” (e.g., saying “fank you” for thank you) • Some children are stilldeveloping the ability to use consonant clusters (e.g., scribble and strawberry),or to say all the sounds correctly in longerwords (e.g., caterpillar and spaghetti).Some childrenmay stillproduce “s” as “th” (e.g., a lisp) Whatcanparentsdo tohelp? Ifparentsareconcernedabout theirchild’sspeechdevelopment, theyareadvised to have theirchild’shearingcheckedbyanaudiologistashearing is important in learning how tosaysoundscorrectly.Also,parentscan visitaspeechpathologist ifconcerned about theirchild’sspeechdevelopment. Inparticular,a visit to thespeechpathologist is recommended ifchildrencannotbeunderstood, if theyare frustratedwithattempts tocommunicate, if theirspeechappears veryeffortful, if theyareusing very few words,or if theyarenotusingsoundsat thestartofwords (e.g.,saying “ish” for fish).

What can youdowith yourbaby? Ideas for talking ●Always talk to your baby

Communication impairmentcan impact onaperson’sability toparticipate in schoolandeducation,getand keepa joband socialisewith their family, friends andcommunity.This limits theway they form friendshipsand relationshipsas wellasaffecting thedevelopmentof

Adultsandchildrenwith speechand language impairmentsaremore likely tohavementalhealthproblems than thosewithout.There isalsoa strong linkbetweenaperson’scommunication skillsand theirmentalhealth status. The roleof speechpathologists inmentalhealth Speechpathologistsaim to improvea person’scommunicationandswallowing skillsso theycan function ineveryday life.Thegoalofspeechpathology intervention is to improveaperson’s ability to functionphysically,sociallyand mentallyathome, in theclassroom, in theworkplace, insocialsituationsand in mentalhealth treatmentprograms. Speechpathologistsarean important

–slowly –clearly –with simplewords.

•2.4%oftheAustralianpopulation(455,000)isIndigenous •Morethan50%oftheIndigenouspopulationliveinremoteareas •84%ofIndigenouspeoplelivinginremoteareasdonotspeakAustralianEnglishathome •21%ofIndigenousAustraliansdon’tuseAustralianEnglish

appropriatecommunication skills. Communication andmental healthdisorders Communicationdisordersoftenco- occur in individualswithmentalhealth issues,wit hsomepeopleexperiencing mentalhealthproblems related to pre-existingcommunicationconditions (e.g. they feeldepressedoranxious about theircommunicationdifficulties). Communicationand/orswallowing difficultiescanalsobepartofaperson’s mentalhealthdisorder (e.g.disordered speechand lan guagecanbe features ofschizophrenia,andswallowing difficultiesaspartofdementia). Swallowingdisorders inmentalhealth oftenoccurasasideeffectofmedication orasa resultofsubstanceabuseor acquiredbrain injury.

English’ andmanypeoplewho hear it spokenwrongly assume it tobe “pidgin English”. In fact,most Indigenous children in remote areas know three or four complex languages anddialects and it’s these they’ve grown upwith, not standardAustralianEnglish. AboriginalEnglish varies across Australia,butdiffers toStandard AustralianEnglish in its sound system, grammar, story structure and in the way it’s used –words often have differentmeanings and take into account the rich linguistic heritage of Indigenous culture. It is important that speechpathology services aredelivered from the

Indigenouschildren have a higher risk of health and otherproblems thanotherAustralian children.They are twice as likely tobebornwith lowbirthweightwhich can lead to communicationdifficulties. Indigenous children have extremely high rates of middle eardisease (around 70% of all children in remote communities),which can lead to conductive hearing loss. Hearing loss from early in life can affect thedevelopment of listening, speech and language skills, aswell as literacy development. AboriginalEnglish 80%of IndigenousAustralians speak ‘Kriol’ or adialect of ‘Aboriginal

partof thementalhealth team that assessespeoplewithmentalhealth issues,as they identifycommunication difficultiesanddevelopappropriate treatment targets.Aspartofamental health team, speechpathologistsplay an important role indiagnosingcertain mentalhealthconditions, likedementia, schizophrenia,autism spectrum

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SPyce Report launch: (L–R) Brendan Murray, Robyn Stephen, Ian Lanyon, Laura Caire, Christine Lyons, Gail Mulcair, Pamela Snow and Christina Wilson. 12

• Five authors awarded in the 10th anniversary SPA Book of the Year Awards (October) (16)

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Speech Pathology Australia

• Senate passed the motion to conduct an inquiry into the prevalence of different types of speech, language and communication disorders and speech pathology services in Australia (December) (17) • Professor Sharynne McLeod (18) stood down after 10 years as editor of the IJSLP , and Associate Professor Kirrie Ballard (19) took up the role (December) • A year of lobbying and representation including meetings with Senator Fiona Nash (Assistant Minister for Education), Adam Giles (NT Chief Minister), Mary Hawkins (NDIS) and Senator Mitch Fifield (Assistant Minister for Social Services). Branch representatives also met with many high profile state and territory legislators. • 56 CPD events with over 1700 attendees, including the sold out National Tour by Dr Elise Baker (20) • Continued planning of the International Communication Project 2014, and including the launch of Australia’s local ICP2014 campaign, Nation for Communication (21)

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Continuing Professional Development

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• 20 submissions, 3 clinical guidelines, 1 position statement and 9 FAQ documents created

Communication International Project

• Continued work to strengthen the demonstration of members’ commitment and obligation to undertake professional development – as reflected in earning CPSP status (22)

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• Series of highly successful Private Practice seminars.

Email pubs@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au for an index of 2013 Speak Out items.

SPA representatives with the Senate Community Affairs References Committee. 17

Speak Out February 2014

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www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Welcome to the all-new Speech Pathology Australia B O O K O F T H E Y E A R A W A R D S

AFTER 10 highly successful years of awarding Australian books that promote oral language development, Book of the Year has undergone a facelift. The revised categories and criteria include: • the brand new birth to 3 years age category; • revision of the category ages to birth to 3 years , 3 to 5 years , 5 to 8 years , 8 to 10 years and Indigenous Children (up to 10 years); stronger emphasis on illustration in oral language and literacy development. An enormous thank you goes to our dedicated expert review panel: Jo Burnell, Katherine Cooper, Sue McClandlish, Dr Roslyn Neilson, Dr Tanya Serry and Monique Thompson. We’re also very proud to announce that the Australia-wide Let’s Read Early Years Literacy Campaign will partner with us to present the birth to 3 years age category of SPA’s Book of the Year Awards 2014. It is an exciting step for the awards and will mean that many more families around Australia will be able to access quality oral language that promote children’s books. •

Call for Nominations Have your say in this year’s awards and nominate your favourite children’s books! We need your help putting together a long list of books that as a speech pathologist you feel promote oral language development and literacy skills in the five award categories. Each book should be exciting and stimulating, and needs to satisfy a list of eligibility criteria: • Written by an Australian author; • Readily available in Australia; • Must have been published in 2013 or 2014; • Retail for no more than $30; • Facilitates interaction and communication; • Appeals to a child; • The book must have quality graphics, design and production. Nomination forms are on the Book of the Year webpage.

Children’s Language & Literature Award: Call for Nominations Last year we were honoured to award Ursula Dubosarsky our Children’s Language and Literature Award. This award is our ‘Hall-of-Fame’ which recognises authors who have contributed significantly to children’s language and literature. The year before, it was Graeme Base. Previous winners include: Paul Jennings (2005), Colin Thiele (2006) and Mem Fox (2007), so the bar is set very high. This award isn’t presented each year, only when a stand-out candidate is nominated by a member. A nominated author needs to satisfy an extensive list of eligibility criteria: The author must be Australian or reside permanently in Australia; The author must have published a significant number of books for children over a 10 year period or more; Books written by this author would meet the eligibility criteria for SPA’s Book of the Year Awards. Nomination forms can be found on the Book of the Year webpage and must be received at National Office by 14 March . • • •

The deadline for nominations is 14 March, 2014 .

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Speech Pathology Australia