Speech Pathology Australia Annual Report 2020

Working groups and advisory roles The Association’s representatives have been involved in the fol lowing: • ADHD Guidel ine Advisory Group • Al l ied Health Professions Austral ia – NDIS working group, Early Intervention group, and the NDIS Independent Assessments project • Austral ian Association of Gerontology (AAG) Reablement Advisory Group • Austral ian Stroke Coal ition • Centre for Mental Health Learning – Victoria • Communication Access Al l iance • Department of Health Curriculum Development in Health Care for People with Intel lectual Disabi l ity • Department of Health National Congress: Food, Nutrition and Mealtime Experience in Aged Care • Expert Advisory Panel: Aged Care Qual ity working parties (Aged Care Gateway Advisory Group, Ageing and Disabi l ity Interface Group, Care at Home Advisory Group, Aged Care and Health Interface Working Group) • National Assistive Technology Al l iance (NATA) Steering Committee • National Early Language and Literacy Coal ition • National Early Years Summit • NDIS Commission Grant for Co-creating Safe and Enjoyable Meals • NSW Witness Intermediary Registration Panel • Professions Austral ia Professional ism and Ethics Sub-committee • Queensland Intermediary Advisory Group • Victoria Intermediary Pi lot Program Panel of Experts. and Safety Commission: Food , Nutrition and Mealtime Experience in Aged Care • FASD Guidel ines Advisory Group • National Aged Care Al l iance and multiple

Data and evidence to support advocacy The abi l ity to provide supporting evidence is crucial to our submissions and responses to cal ls for feedback. The Association’s pol icy briefs are an important resource in this, and the most recent briefs on Developmental Language Disorder and Chi ldhood Apraxia of Speech proved to be a valuable tool for speech pathologists addressing el igibi l ity to NDIS for these conditions. Another important resource final ised in 2020 was the report the Association commissioned from researchers at University of New South Wales and University of Technology Sydney, looking at the economic evaluation of the impact of speech pathology services on criminal justice outcomes. The model l ing undertaken during this project showed that the direct effects of speech pathology intervention on youth offending and crime is positive. This new evidence strongly supports the Association’s advocacy to embed speech pathology services in the criminal justice system in al l Austral ian states and territories. On the strength of this project, the Association is now considering a simi lar project in the area of early chi ldhood intervention. The Association is committed to ensuring our advocacy is supported by the latest evidence where possible. A new International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology editor In January 2020, Professor Libby Cardel l joined Anne Whitworth (Editor in Chief) of the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology as co- editor. Professor Cardel l’s appointment fol lowed the decision of Professor Kirrie Bal lard to step down from her editor duties. Professor Cardel l is a professor at Griffith University, where she establ ished the Master of Speech Pathology program in 2012. Professor Cardel l has extensive experience in academic writing, publ ishing, reviewing and book and article editing. Professor Bal lard commenced as editor of the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology in 2014, initial ly for three years, fol lowed by a further three years as Editor in Chief and co-editor (alongside Anne Whitworth). Over this period, Professor Bal lard provided excel lent leadership and expert strategic direction, cementing the journal’s international profi le and strong ranking and citation levels within the range of speech language pathology academic publ ications. The Association thanks Kirrie for her dedication, expertise and hard work in editorial roles.

8 2020 ANNUAL REPORT Speech Pathology Australia