ISSUE 12 SEPTEMBER 2020
Freedom of communication Supporting a child to tell their mum and dad ‘I love you’ for the first time, or an adult customer to be able to advocate for themselves, is an inspiring part of what our Speech Pathology team do every day. The team plays an important role in supporting our customers to use a range of analogue and technology based solutions to find their voice. Early Intervention Speech Pathologist, Kirstie Denning tells us how from a young age we can work with children and their families to find the best ways to communicate with each other. “I have been working with Hudson and his mum to develop his communications. At the moment we’re using a mix of a communication book
and Key Word Sign to assist him in developing his total communication skills. Over time we will see how his communication skills develop and grow and will adapt the types of communication devices to support his needs.” The team also works alongside our adult customers to develop the best solution based on their physical ability. One of those customers is Lyndon who we support to use head switch technology with his communication device. Through his device Lyndon told us, “Speech Pathology is important, it helps me use my device - so I can be involved in decisions about my life and chat to my mum and aunty Michelle every day.”
Speech Pathologist Kirstie Denning with Hudson and his mum Hannah
Speech Pathology Australia hold Speech Week every August to highlight the wide range of support the profession provides to many Australians. Executive General Manager Therapy Services and Speech Pathologist Melissa Boekhoorn said this year’s theme ‘communicating with confidence’ is about having the ability to communicate your message and know you have been heard. “For people living with disability sometimes this may take longer, so we all need to be patient and listen to give them the confidence to get their message across. Using non-verbal communications, pictures and objects are all ways to support them be confident communicators” she said.