What is What is

speech speech

pathology?pathology?

Communication disorders Communication disorders in Australiain Australia 12% of children in Australian primary schools have a 12% of children in Australian primary schools have a

communication disordercommunication disorder

Children with a language impairment are six times more likely to Children with a language impairment are six times more likely to have a reading problem than children without have a reading problem than children without

At least 30% of people post-stroke suffer loss of language At least 30% of people post-stroke suffer loss of language (aphasia)(aphasia)

85% of those with Parkinson’s disease have voice, speech and/or 85% of those with Parkinson’s disease have voice, speech and/or swallowing difficulties swallowing difficulties

At least 13,000 Australians use electronic communication aids to At least 13,000 Australians use electronic communication aids to get their message across get their message across

46% of young Australian offenders may have a language 46% of young Australian offenders may have a language impairment impairment

What is a speech What is a speech pathologist?pathologist?

Speech pathologists study, diagnose and Speech pathologists study, diagnose and treat:treat:

communication disorders, including communication disorders, including difficulties with speech, language, difficulties with speech, language, fluency and voice, and fluency and voice, and

swallowing disorders.swallowing disorders.

Where do SPs work?Where do SPs work?

Speech pathology is practised in a wide variety of settings including:Speech pathology is practised in a wide variety of settings including:

hospitals hospitals private practiceprivate practice kindergartens kindergartens community health community health

centrescentres homes homes rehabilitation centres rehabilitation centres universities universities juvenile justice centres juvenile justice centres schoolsschools early intervention early intervention

servicesservices nursing homesnursing homes mental health servicesmental health services disability services

Speech pathologists Speech pathologists work with…work with… All ages across the life-span. All ages across the life-span.

People having difficulty communicating or People having difficulty communicating or swallowing food or drink safely because of:swallowing food or drink safely because of: developmental delaysdevelopmental delays dementia / mental illnessdementia / mental illness

physical disability physical disability intellectual disability intellectual disability

progressive neurological progressive neurological diseasesdiseases

social communication social communication disorders disorders

brain injuries brain injuries cancercancer

learning disabilitylearning disability hearing impairment / losshearing impairment / loss

fluency disordersfluency disorders voice disorders voice disorders

What do speech What do speech pathologists do?pathologists do?

Diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disordersDiagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders

Use an evidence based and person-centred approachUse an evidence based and person-centred approach

Work collaboratively as part of a team Work collaboratively as part of a team

Provide education and consultancy services Provide education and consultancy services

Provide support and advocacyProvide support and advocacy

Credentialing of SPsCredentialing of SPs Speech pathology is a self-regulating health profession in Speech pathology is a self-regulating health profession in

Australia. Australia.

Speech pathologists are not part of the National Registration Speech pathologists are not part of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme and do not have to be registered and Accreditation Scheme and do not have to be registered with AHPRA.with AHPRA.

Membership of SPA is the only way to ensure that speech Membership of SPA is the only way to ensure that speech pathologists have completed the appropriate training and pathologists have completed the appropriate training and maintained their currency of skills to work as a speech maintained their currency of skills to work as a speech pathologist. pathologist.

When to refer to a SPWhen to refer to a SP

Consult the When to Refer section of the SPA websiteConsult the When to Refer section of the SPA website

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.auwww.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Ask a speech pathologist.Ask a speech pathologist.

How to refer to a SPHow to refer to a SP A written referral is not required but is desirable.A written referral is not required but is desirable.

SPs accept self referrals from clients.SPs accept self referrals from clients.

Waiting lists apply for public and in some instances private Waiting lists apply for public and in some instances private services. services.

SPA has Information Sheets for prospective clients:SPA has Information Sheets for prospective clients:• What to expect from a speech pathologistWhat to expect from a speech pathologist• How to choose a speech pathologistHow to choose a speech pathologist

How to find a speech How to find a speech pathologistpathologist

SPA has a directory of members (who wish to have SPA has a directory of members (who wish to have their details advertised) on its Find a Speech their details advertised) on its Find a Speech Pathologist search Pathologist search

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.auwww.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

National Health Services Directory National Health Services Directory

www.nhsd.com.auwww.nhsd.com.au

Resources Resources Information for the Community Information for the Community Clients & Other Professionals section Clients & Other Professionals section

of SPA’s website contains:of SPA’s website contains: When to refer informationWhen to refer information Information SheetsInformation Sheets Fact SheetsFact Sheets What is a speech pathologist video What is a speech pathologist video

Find a Speech Pathologist directoryFind a Speech Pathologist directory

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.auwww.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

The International The International Communication Project Communication Project 20142014

We need your help in building a Nation for We need your help in building a Nation for Communication:Communication:Sign up to the Communication Pledge at Sign up to the Communication Pledge at www.communication2014.comwww.communication2014.comAppear in a photo with the “I Communicate” card or film Appear in a photo with the “I Communicate” card or film a short video giving your support to the ICP2014a short video giving your support to the ICP2014Put a sticker on your car, a logo on your website or a Put a sticker on your car, a logo on your website or a piece in your newsletter piece in your newsletter Write to your local politicians Write to your local politicians Just talk!Just talk!

Questions?Questions?