August 26, 2024This week is Speech Pathology Week 2024 and the theme is ‘Communicate Your Way.’ Speech Pathology Week is all about celebrating the diverse ways that people communicate and to raise awareness about the work of speech pathologists.
In Australia, there are an estimated 1.2 million people with communication support needs. Speech pathologists work with people to achieve their communication goals, whether it’s a child with a developmental language delay, someone recovering from a stroke, or anyone needing support to communicate.
According to 2021 Australian Early Developmental Census (AEDC) data, on average one in five children in Victoria (28 per cent of children in the local government areas of Hume and 20 per cent in Whittlesea) present to school as developmentally vulnerable in at least one area (Department of Education and Training, 2021).
At Northern Health, the Speech Pathology Department consists of 35 speech pathologists and allied health assistants in the Paediatric and Adult teams, working across multiple sites. Speech pathologists are responsible for assessment and management of swallowing and communication disorders. To celebrate and acknowledge the Northern Health Speech Pathologists, let’s take a look at the services they provide across the continuum of care with a focus on supporting patients with a communication impairment.
Communication Support Group
Frank and Norminia are two Northern Health patients that have had speech pathology as part of their journey. Frank and Norminia are currently involved in a weekly communication group run by Manuela Cavuoto, Northern Health Speech Pathologist.
Norminia was first seen by speech pathology when she was diagnosed with a Left Lacunar Infarct. At that time, Norminia’s speech started depleting and progressively became worse. With the support of Northern Health Speech Pathologists, Norminia reports that her speech has improved since implementing strategies and talking as much as possible. Despite some spelling difficulties, Norminia sometimes uses pen and paper to write down what she is trying to say to help others understand her.
Frank was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and a Left Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke which impacted his communication. When talking about the difference speech pathology has made for him, Frank shared that “speech pathology gave me the confidence to speak again and get around the community… Speech pathology had helpful recommendations about what to do when there is a communication breakdown.”
Acute
The Acute Speech Pathology team play a significant role in the early stages of a patient’s communication journey. They provide communication screening, assessment, management and early rehabilitation of patients who present with a communication and/or swallowing difficulty. It’s essential for patients to be able to communicate their basic needs and wants and participate in healthcare decision making. Speech pathologists help to optimise and advocate a way of communicating (e.g. gesture, communication aids, verbally) and support patients on their healthcare journey.
Subacute
The Subacute Speech Pathology team continue on the assessment and management of patients with a large focus on rehabilitation and goal-based intervention and within the geriatric population. It’s within this setting that patients may receive therapy to work on their goals. Some examples include improving the clarity of their speech, participating in a conversation, reducing word finding difficulties, and providing education to family and carers.
Community
The Community Speech Pathologists have a key role in working alongside patients to achieve their communication goals once they are back at home. This can include supporting a patient return to work by practicing their clear speech strategies over the telephone, increasing their confidence in reading a story to their grandchildren or practicing word-retrieval strategies to help with successful conversations. Both Bundoora and Broadmeadows host a Communication Support Group which provides an opportunity for patients to increase their confidence communicating.
Paediatrics
The Paediatric Speech Pathology team supports family and nursing staff to understand babies’ early communication skills. They also provide outpatient services for children who have developmental delay including language, speech, play, and cognition. Paediatric Speech Pathologists work within the Multidisciplinary Developmental Assessment Clinic (MDAC) and the Northern Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic (NASDAC).
Thank you to our Speech Pathology team for all your hard work and dedication!
Featured image: Speech Pathology teams at Bundoora, Broadmeadows and Epping.
