Speak Up

In this week’s episode we speak with two speech pathologists who have had major changes in 2023. Kim took the leap and started her own business, and Jen is just finishing her first year as a graduate speech pathologist. Some of the themes that came up in these interviews were regarding wellbeing, so we have also spoken to Mathew Walter, from Acacia EAP about the challenges of setting professional...

In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr David Azul (they/them) and Dr Sterling Quinn (he/they). They discuss ways that 'minority stress’ can be experienced by trans and gender diverse individuals, and how speech pathologists and institutions can support the inclusion and wellbeing of service users, colleagues, research participants, and others. Resources: World Professional Association for Transg...

This week SPA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee discuss cultural safety in practice. The panel guests are Tara Lewis, an Iman woman, Eddie Ong, an Torres Strait Islander man, Shari Fuller, a Jirrbul woman, Tania Harris a Bundjalung woman, Jessica Russ-Smith a Wiradyuri Wambuul woman and Rachel Doolan a Wiradjuri woman. The panel speak about cultural safety, why this is imp...

This week Libby Brownlie from Key Word Sign Australia (Scope) discusses the advantages of integrating Key Word Sign into your practice. Libby speaks about how KWS can be an excellent addition for a multimodal communicator, and dispels myths around KWS as an AAC option. Resources: Website: https://kwsa.org.au/ KWS resources: https://kwsa.org.au/resources/ and https://kwsa.org.au/shop/ Training: inf...

In this week’s episode, Speak Up Podcast Reference (SUPR) Group member, Christie Feerick, speaks with SPA Professional Standards Team members, Dr Simone Arnott and Dr Marie Atherton. They discuss how universities are accredited, how students are prepared to enter the workforce, and how new grads and workplaces can draw on their knowledge, skills, and attributes. Resources: Accreditation https://ww...

In this week’s episode, SPA’s Senior Advisor Justice, Mary Woodward, has a conversation with Sarah Maybury from New South Wales Youth Justice, Marcella Lau and Dr. Emma Schimke from the Queensland Youth Justice Southwest Regional Community Services, and Melissa Saliba from Communities and Justice in South Australia. They discuss the supports they provide in youth justice systems around Australia....

In this week’s episode, Shaun Ziegenfusz from the DLD project speaks about DLD in school and the importance of prioritising wellbeing supports, especially in school-aged children and teens. Audio transcripts for this and other Season 5 (2023) episodes are available at no cost on SPA’s Learning Hub: https://learninghub.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/speechpathologyaust/speak-up-podcast Check the e...

Speak Up periodically rebroadcasts previous episodes that were of high interest to listeners. This week we are rebroadcasting Season 2’s episode on the National Tour: Working with Australian multilingual children. This workshop is being held again in November 2023 in Adelaide and Darwin. Dr Gayle Hemsley and Dr Alison Holm give a preview of topics they will discuss, including current evidence in t...

To celebrate Global Ethics Day and the theme of ‘ethics empowered’ Dr Rachael O’Brien, Olivia Skala, and Danica Dolton share some of their reflections in their daily work with the SPA ethics team. Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. We recognise that the health and soci...

In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr Lisa Furlong, Scientific Chair for the SPA National Conference 2024 in Perth, and Dr Emma McLaughlin, SPA Senior Advisor for Evidence-Based Practice and Research. They discuss why speech pathology practitioners and students should present at professional conferences, and how to create successful submissions. Audio transcripts for this and other Season 5 (20...

In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr. Christopher Constantino from Florida State University in the United States. He discusses 3 stutter-affirming priorities for people who stutter and those who support them, recognising what is gained from stuttering, and developing a positive stuttering identity. Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters thro...

In this week’s episode, Jenny Baker from Fremantle Speech Pathology Services, talks about reading comprehension and how to ensure that intervention is meaningful and individualised. We are sorry to report that Jenny's workshop has needed to be postponed, with dates to be confirmed soon. If you have any questions about this please contact the Learning Hub: learninghub@speechpathologyaustralia.org.a...

In this week’s episode, Dr Melissa Brunner (Liss, she/her), speaks about finding ways to safely help individuals post TBI access social media while maintaining autonomy and choice of the individual. Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. We recognise that the health and so...

In this week’s episode we continue our series with Life Members of Speech Pathology Australia. Today, Adjunct Associate Professor Dr Sue Block reflects on her career and the changes that have occurred in this time. Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. We recognise that t...

In this week’s episode, Ethics Advisors Kelly Williams and Nadia Marussinszky discuss our Ethics Board and how complaints are managed. Next, we hear from the Board’s community representatives, Donna Dancer, Dr Grant Meredith, Suzanne Burow, and Jen Morris. They reflect on consumer rights, the valuable insight that their diverse professional and lived experience brings to Investigation Panels, and...

In this week’s episode, our new National President, Kathryn McKinley, has a conversation with our new CEO, Jodie Long. They discuss growth in the speech pathology profession, the Association’s strategic plan, being a member-focused organisation, and opportunities that come with new leadership. Audio transcripts for this and other Season 5 (2023) episodes are available at no cost on SPA’s Learning...

Happy Speech Pathology Week! Today we are talking to Speech Pathologist Madeleine Ebinger from Cabrini and her client Oli about what this year’s theme “Communicating for life” means to them. Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. We recognise that the health and social and...

In this week’s episode, SPA’s Mary Woodward, Senior Advisor Justice, chats with Sarah Cocco, Sally Clarey, and Máire MacCana about working as an intermediary in the justice system. They discuss the role of intermediaries, working arrangements and programs in different states and territories, and the positive impact that intermediaries can have. Audio transcripts for this and other Season 5 (2023)...

Today’s episode discusses succession planning, Fiona from the Private Practice Advisor team and Anna Pannuzzo from WorkPlace PLUS discuss succession planning from the perspective of both employees / contractors and business owners.   Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. ...

In this week’s episode, a panel of disabled speech pathologists speak join us to celebrate disability pride month. Sheridan Forster, Erin Mills, and Ashleigh Chapman speak about disability, ableism, and celebrating disability pride.   Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past, present and future....

In this week’s episode, SPA’s Kym Torresi- Senior Advisor, Aged Care, speaks with Helen Leousis from St Vincent’s Hospital. Kym and Helen talk about implementing shared decision making and Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risk (EDAR).   Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past, present and...

In this week’s episode, SPA’s Nathan Cornish-Raley speaks with Nicola Dann about principles of adult learning and supervision. They discuss learning stages and styles, how supervisors can adapt their support, supervision at different career stages, and guidance for a supervisor’s own learning. Audio transcripts for this and other Season 5 (2023) episodes are available at no cost on SPA’s Learning...

In this week’s episode, SPA’s Nathan Cornish-Raley (he/him) speaks with Cyndal Nelson (they/them), David Azul (they/them), and Kathryn Fordyce (she/they) about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and speech pathology. They discuss the contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals to speech pathology, the importance of visibility and inclusion in the workplace and research, and the future of this community i...

In this week’s episode, Amy Fitzpatrick (she/her), SPA’s Senior Advisor-Disability speaks with Dasha Kolesik (she/her), an AuDHD speech pathologist from ‘Say Hooray!’ Amy and Dasha discuss neurodiversity affirming assessment for girls, women and individuals who were assigned female at birth (AFAB). Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters througho...

Today’s episode is the first in a new series, oral histories of SPA Life Members. Today Emeritus Professor Lindy McAllister AM, reflects on her time as a speech pathologist, the changes that have occurred and her hopes for future generations of speech pathologists. Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to E...