Speech Pathology Week 2012 'Tell Your Story'

Speech Pathology Week 2012 'Tell Your Story'

Speech Pathology Week 2012 'Tell Your Story' (19 - 25 August)

Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) estimates that more than 1.1 million Australians have difficulty communicating or being understood, a statistic speech pathologists hope to change through a national story-telling campaign.

Launched today as the beginning of Speech Pathology Week, the 'Great Australian Communication Story' project encourages people around the country to 'tell their story' and connect with their community.

SPA National President Christine Stone said many Australians struggle to communicate effectively enough to interact with their friends and families, work and participate in social events.

"Even though we estimate more than 1.1 million Australians have difficulty communicating, we know that number is much, much higher."

"Difficulties can be present at any age, from newborn babies who can't feed properly, to a preschool child who has difficulty making speech sounds, a primary school child who has autism, a teenageer who stutters, a young adult who has had a stroke, a teacher whose voice is strained, a retired person with Parkinson's disease - right up to an older person living with dementia."

"During Speech Pathology Week, we want people to share their stories, and to know that they are not alone," Ms Stone said.

The 'Great Australian Communication Story' aims to take a snapshot of the stories and experience of people living and working with communication impairment in Australia in 2012.

The project asks members of the public to fill in speech bubble templates which will be compiled into an ebook, to be released in September this year.

"Communication is about sharing stories and information. Just because someone communicates differently from you doesn't mean that their story isn't worth hearing," Ms Stone said.

"We hope that by sharing their stories, it may encourage people to visit a speech pathologist to help understand and improve their communication."

Speech pathologists study, diagnose and treat communication disorders, including difficlty with speech, language, swallowing, fluency (stuttering) and voice. They work with people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays, stroke, brain injuries, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, dementia and hearing loss, as well as other problems that can affect speech and language.

The negative impacts of communication difficulties are well documented and include a higher risk of literacy problems, lower academic achievement, low self-esteem and behavioural problems, particularly in children and young people.

Studies have also shown a higher risk of criminal behaviour, with more than 50 per cent of adolescents in the juvenile justice system diagnosed with a communication impairment.

If you would like to take part in "The Great Australian Communication Story" or are concerned about a friend or family member who may have a communication difficulty, visit www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speech Pathology Week 2012 (19 - 25 August) celebrates the speech pathology profession and the important role speech pathologists play in helping people of all ages in acquiring and maintaining communication and swallowing skills.

Speech Pathology Australia is the national peak body for approximately 5,000 members.The Association supports and regulates the ethical, clinical and professional standards of its members, as well as lobbying and advocating on behalf of all Australians living with communication and swallowing difficulties.

Communication and Swallowing Impairment in Australia - at a glance
All children with autism and most children with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy begin their life with a communication impairment
20% of four year old children have difficulty understanding or using language
14% of 15 year olds have only basic literacy skills
28% of teachers take time off work because of a voice problem each year
At least 30% of people post-stroke suffer loss of language (aphasia)
85% of those with Parkinson's disease have voice, speech and/or swallowing difficulties
13,000 Australians use electronic communication aids to get their message across
Children with language impairments are six times more likely to have a reading problem than children without language impairments
46% of young Australian offenders have a language impairment
There is a high correlation between communication difficulties and poor mental health
Three in every 1000 newborns have hearing loss, which, without intervention can affect their speech, language and literacy. Indigenous children have three times more hearing problems than non-Indigenous children.