Speech Pathology Week: Communicate your way

Speech Pathology Week was held last week and speech pathologist Cass Hinchcliffe from Gunnedah, highlighted the theme: ‘Communicate Your Way’.

“Communication is a basic human right, and many children can’t make the most of their educational, health and social opportunities without the assistance of a speech pathologist,” Cass said.

Cass has been working in local schools since 2016, and knows first-hand the challenges that some students with communication disabilities can experience. Through 1:1 time with the child, and collaboration with their teachers and family, speech pathologists like Cass can set up a range of helpful strategies.

Visual supports are often used at school for students who find it easier to understand new concepts if they have a picture, video, or checklist to help.

Other modifications include assistive technology such as speech to text apps, or including extra preparation time, rather than asking questions ‘on the spot’.

In the playground, children are learning different ways to communicate socially – sometimes they may need to negotiate the rules of a game, or explain their point of view.

Cass commented that “it’s important for us all to understand that children communicate in their own way, and some will benefit from speech pathology visits – to help them share their ideas clearly, and with confidence”.