Our speech pathologists are passionate about helping people communicate their way!
Celebrating the impact our speech pathologists make on the lives of people with disability this Speech Pathology Week.
Our speech pathologists are passionate about helping people communicate their way!
Meet Annie
Annie, a speech pathologist, has been supporting Therapy clients of all ages and needs to overcome communication difficulties and live the life they choose.
To mark Speech Pathology Week from 25-31 August, Annie shared with us how her work as a speech pathologist has impacted one of her clients, Tim’s communication outcomes. She also discussed what she finds most rewarding about her speech pathologist career at Yooralla.
The theme of 2024 Speech Pathology Week is ‘Communicate your Way’, which acknowledges that everyone communicates differently and that communication is about making connections and expressing ourselves in unique ways. Tim and Annie’s story is one excellent example of this!
What is the best thing about working as a speech pathologist at Yooralla?
Speech pathologists support people who have complex communication needs, but still love to communicate. Communication is a human right, and we know everyone has the ability to communicate, even though they might not communicate in a conventional way (such as using speech). To be able to help people on that journey and assist their communication partners to understand their messages – that's the most rewarding part. Another highlight is to see a big smile after they successfully convey their messages.
Tell us about a speech pathology client that you’ve supported with their communication goals?
Tim is a non-speaking gentleman who loves socialising. He uses idiosyncratic signs, gestures, vocalisations, and some Key Word Signs to engage with his familiar communication partners, such as his father. He has some experience with Assistive and/or Alternative Communication devices (AAC) in the past.
However, when I began working with him last year, his communication device had been abandoned. After assessment and trials, I introduced him to the GoTalkNOW app. Tim is a multi-modal communicator. He needs fast access to messages, so we determined that the ‘Go Talk Now’ app was the best fit for him.
Following direct therapy and staff training, Tim can now use the device to make choices, share information or tell stories, and socialise and engage with his housemates.
Tim's communication goals
What is one impact that your work as a speech pathologist with Yooralla has had on Tim?
Tim was recently very excited because his housemates, who do not understand his Key Word signs or gestures, can now interact with him in ways they couldn’t before. In the video below, Tim shared his past experiences, such as going on a cruise, with his housemates and support worker using the 'scene function' of the GoTalkNOW app.
Tim got very excited when he was able to share his experience with his speaking housemates and were very interested in Tim’s stories. Everyone had a big laugh.
Interested in exploring speech pathologist jobs in the disability sector?
Would making a positive impact on the communication outcomes of Victorians with disability appeal to you? Yooralla is now hiring Speech Pathologists who are seeking a rewarding speech therapist career, with excellent opportunities for professional development.