SpeakOut_June2014_eCopy_FINAL

BRANCH news QUEENSLAND

Communication challenges in the classroom Susan McKee , Lecturer at the Central Queensland University, School of Education and the Arts, recently invited Sharon Lowe (Senior Occupational Therapist) and myself to present to her class of Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary pre-service

teachers due to our many years’ experience working with Disability Services (a QLD Government Department). The class of around 40 students are enrolled in a course called Managing Diversity. This course covers a range of topics with the underlying focus on the pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards atypical learners, hence why Sharon and my insights about working with people with disabilities were sought. Sharon and I spoke about our respective professions and outlined common characteristics that a teacher might notice in school students with communication difficulties and/ or occupational concerns. We went on to make practical suggestions as to how teachers could modify their classroom and incorporate strategies to maximise students’ levels of participation and independence. This forum was also a chance to showcase the ICP2014 to students who attended the session. SPA is using ICP2014

as a platform to build a Nation for Communication – “an Australia where communication in all its forms is recognised and valued”. This was a great opportunity for information sharing, and Sharon and myself received positive feedback from the students who appreciated the practical presentation. Christine Bartholomew and Susan McKee display the “Nation for Communication – Communication is a basic human right” poster with the students who attended the presentation.

christine bartholomew Speech Pathologist

BrANCH NEWS — tasmania

Communication rights promoted at Tassie-wide event

During May , speech pathologists working in schools gathered at a Tasmania-wide conference for Department of Education employees. The group was privileged to have Dr Natalie Munro present on day one of the event. As well as being a lecturer at the University of Sydney, Dr Munro is the Scientific Affairs leader for the New South Wales Branch of Speech Pathology Australia. Dr Munro provided a thorough grounding in the topic of vocabulary learning and a range of practical vocabulary intervention strategies for the classroom. The presentation included a snapshot of Dr Julia Starling’s work with secondary school students and Dr Munro took the opportunity to promote the upcoming National Tour (which will be in Hobart in August, please see p14 for details). Day two of the conference was an action-packed day with several presentations by Tasmanian speech pathologists. SPA’s Tasmanian Branch

Above: Dr Natalie Munro (third from left) with conference organisers Robyn Williams, Jane Mueller and Sally O’Donnell; below, Tasmanian Branch Chair Alison Henty with Sally O’Donnell

President Alison Henty provided a thoughtful and entertaining reflection on decades of working in Tasmanian schools. She spoke on the importance of communication rights and strongly encouraged everyone to become a Communication Champion during the ICP2014. Kate Day Speech Language Pathologist Tasmanian Branch Speak Out Editor

Speak Out June 2014

19

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au