Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...

Page created by Dawn Terry
 
CONTINUE READING
Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...
SPRING 2018
                                                         ISSUE 32

communication

              Thoughts from an AAC user
 X Force • Chef training • Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action
Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...
Contents                                                                                                                                                                          From the editor
                                                                                                                                                                                  Karen Watson editor@speechtherapy.org.nz

                                                                                                                                                                                  Welcome to our new look             During our week of action, I followed the   In this issue of Communication Matters
1                             2                             3                               4                             6                              8                        Communication Matters
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      NZSTA’s campaign hashtags (accessible
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      via searchable links on social media,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  we hear Thane Pullan’s voice. Thane
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  uses AAC (augmentative and alternative
From the                      President’s                    Bupa IDDSI                    Communicating                  X Force: A                     Way to Play:             magazine. It’s exciting             for those who don’t have social media       communication) for everyday
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      accounts), #GivingVoiceAotearoa and         communication, speeches and has even
editor                        report                         chef training                 without                        communication                  A case study             to bring you a refreshed            #SLTAwareness, on Twitter and Facebook.     used it to write a book. He presents the
                                                             & our role in                “talking”                       solution for                                            format following a month            Two main themes emerged. The first          personal side to using AAC. He shares
                                                             food service                                                 young adults
                                                                                                                                                                                  of learning, advocacy and           theme was education: raising awareness      how this way of communicating shapes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      of communication and swallowing             his interactions with others and reminds
                                                                                                                                                                                  action in the world of speech-      disorders. The posts covered ways to        us that high-tech AAC use is screen time,
                                                                                                                                                                                  language therapy. Thank you         support language development in infants,    something users and their families should
10                           12                             13                             16                             21                             Back
                                                                                                                                                         cover                    to everyone who provided            the need to consider and meet the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      communication needs of young people
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  consider and manage. We also hear
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  about the development of the X Force –
Giving Voice                  Book review:                   Area updates                   NZSTA Board                   Contact details                NZSTA                    photos of their Giving Voice        involved with the justice system, the       comic superheroes who save AAC users
Aotearoa                      How to                                                        Member                                                       Professional             Aotearoa activities and to          prevalence of acquired communication        from the frustrations of communication
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      and swallowing disorders, and more.         partners unfamiliar with using alternative
Awareness                     Communicate                                                   updates                                                      Development              the University of Canterbury                                                    forms of communication.
Week                          with Someone                                                                                                               Symposium                student representatives for         The second theme was about human
                              Who Has                                                                                                                    photos                                                       connection. Connection with each            This edition’s IDDSI update summarises a
                              Dementia
                                                                                                                                                                                  their photos of the NZSTA           other and to our identities. There were     chef training roadshow at Bupa care homes,
                                                                                                                                                                                  Professional Development            some lovely quotes from people with         with further resources including videos
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      communication difficulties gathered         available on the NZSTA website. We also
                                                                                                                                                                                  Symposium.                          by our new communications portfolio         have a book recommendation for your
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      holder Amy Oughton. One example is          summer reading list, How to Communicate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      from Tracy who spoke of learning to “be     with Someone Who Has Dementia, for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      patient, put in the effort to understand    both professional and personal learning.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      and invest in communication”. Whether
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  We have updates from our new
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      it’s sharing a conversation or a cuppa,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  president, Annette Rotherham, and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      our work helps people to participate.
Cover: Beautiful Dunedin, where this year’s NZSTA Professional Development Symposium was held. Photo credit: DunedinNZ                                                                                                                                            the board members, area and student
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      This – the human connection – is why
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  representatives let us know what is
Submission deadline for next edition of Communication Matters: 6 December 2018. Send to editor@speechtherapy.org.nz                                                                                                   we do what we do.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  happening around the country.
ISSN 2324-2302 (Print)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Noho ora mai,
ISSN 2324-2310 (Online)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Stay well,
The NZSTA reserves the right to refuse for inclusion in Communication Matters, any articles, features or advertisements which are contrary to the NZSTA Code of Ethics.                                                                                           Karen
Unless formally stated to the contrary, acceptance and publication of material and advertising does not imply endorsement of views, positions, programmes or products by NZSTA.
ii   • may
Articles  Communication
            be edited.         Matters                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Communication Matters   •   1
Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...
Bupa IDDSI chef training & our role in
President’s report                                                                                                                                                          food service
Annette Rotherham president@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                                                                                                                                            Anna Miles, NZSTA Expert Adviser – Dysphagia, newzealand@iddsi.org

Tēnā koutou katoa                     As I reflect on the past four years on       We are now a self-regulating, registered    leading another initiative from NZSTA        In August, the NZSTA created a full-day workshop for the head chefs
                                      the Executive Council, now called            profession thanks to the hard work          with the formation of a consumer focus       at Bupa, supported by their food provider, Bidfood. Bupa have 50 care
Nō Ōtautahi ahau
                                      the NZSTA Board, many things have            of Anna Miles and Clare McCann.             group. Watch this space!
Ko Rotorua tōku kainga inaianei       been learnt and have shaped me               We have engaged our communities to                                                       homes across the country and arranged a chef training roadshow focusing
                                                                                                                               The opportunity to provide leadership
Ko James tōku whanau                  professionally and personally. I thrive on   spread the word about communication                                                      on IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative).
                                                                                                                               to the NZSTA in the role of president,
Ko Gary tōku matua                    the shared energy and goals we have          access and this year we presented
                                                                                                                               is an opportunity to serve to our
                                      as a team and as a profession. I have        10 organisations throughout Aotearoa                                                     Traditionally, speech-language              Some of the activities undertaken in
Ko Lois tōku whaea                                                                                                             profession. It takes commitment to
                                      had the opportunity to develop creative      with Communication Access Awards.                                                        therapists have focused on educating        groups at the Bupa workshop:
                                                                                                                               see projects through and to pull
Ko Annette Rotherham tōku ingoa       ideas into realities. I feel proud to have                                                                                            healthcare assistants and nursing staff
                                                                                   We have just gathered for a successful      teams together for our common
Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou,    delivered some memorable awareness                                                                                                    – the feeders. Dietitians have always
                                                                                   NZSTA Professional Development              purpose. NZSTA have been successful                                                      1    What level am I?
                                      campaigns: “Making connections:                                                                                                       had a role in food service and are
tēnā koutou katoa                     whakawhanaungatanga” in 2014,
                                                                                   Symposium in Dunedin. Thanks to             in forming partnerships and closer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Look at the list of meals and
                                                                                   Claire Winward for organising and           connections with our allied professional     regularly employed to audit seasonal
                                     “Access for All: he waka eke noa” in 2015                                                                                              menus for their nutritional content              desserts. Discuss which level
                                                                                   planning the entire event, and to Bev       groups and with our international
                                      and to have nurtured the Giving Voice                                                                                                 against international standards. With the        each one fits into.
                                                                                   Jarvis for ensuring it all went smoothly.   associations thanks to the supportive
                                      Aotearoa Campaign to its current position.                                                                                            adoption of these new standards in
                                                                                   The keynote speakers, Jane Carroll          and collaborative leadership of                                                          2    Adjust that level
                                     I thank you all for your participation,       and Sue MacDonnell, provided highly         Philippa Friary.                             New Zealand, the IDDSI working group
                                                                                                                                                                            and lead speech-language therapists              Choose a meal and drink on list
                                     passion and enthusiasm demonstrated           engaging and insightful presentations,
                                                                                                                               I know that the current team will            in the health field are spending more            and consider how you could
                                     this year for our Giving Voice Aotearoa       and we were all left with food for
                                                                                                                               continue this mahi and look to our           time in kitchens assessing meals, and            adjust the level up or down?
                                     Week of Action and Awareness                  thought. We had a strong turnout and
                                                                                                                               strategic vision of “a thriving profession   engaging and training chefs.
                                     with the theme of Speech-language             much networking and connecting with                                                                                                  3    The vegetable challenge
                                                                                                                               working in partnership to enhance
                                     therapy: making a critical difference.        old friends was had.                                                                     The full workshop content and
                                                                                                                               lives”. Wherever you work out there in                                                        Pick one vegetable. Use the
                                     Our daily themes on social media really                                                                                                explanations for activities are available
                                                                                   In our Giving Voice Aotearoa session,       the world of speech-language therapy                                                          microwave to create a regular
                                     encompassed the breadth of speech-                                                                                                     to members as movie files. Please see
                                                                                   Geneva Hakaraia-Tino gave a professional    – as students, clinicians, teachers,                                                          vegetable side dish, soft &
                                     language therapy practice and, wow,                                                                                                    the position paper on the NZSTA
                                                                                   and heart-warming presentation about        researchers – take time to reflect on                                                         bite-sized vegetable side and
                                     what a difference we can make!                                                                                                         website if you are interested in using
                                                                                   the development of a Kiwi voice and         our “why?”                                                                                    minced & moist vegetable side.
                                     As a team, the NZSTA Board have               the journey to having her own identity in                                                them in your area. •                             Avoid defaulting to puree!
                                                                                                                               There are over 400,000 New Zealanders
                                     achieved some lofty goals in 2018.            AAC with a te reo voice. Geneva will be                                                                                                   Next, use the testing methods
                                                                                                                               who appreciate what you do every day.        If you have developed other IDDSI                to test your vegetable sides and
                                                                                                                               Keep making a critical difference.           resources that you are willing to share,         adapt them until they meet the
                                                  The opportunity to provide leadership to                                     Ngā mihi nui,                                please send them to me.                          IDDSI requirements.
                                                                                                                               Annette
                                                  the NZSTA in the role of president, is an
                                      – Annette   opportunity to serve to our profession.”
2   •   Communication Matters                                                                                                                                                                                                         Communication Matters    •   3
Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...
Communicating without “talking”:                                                                                                                                                             Speech-language therapists can help
                                                                                                                                                                                             parents to understand the importance
An AAC user shares his experience                                                                                                                                                 – Thane    of communication.”
Thane Pullan, adapted from his speech to speech-language therapy students at the University of Canterbury

If people don’t communicate             Some parents place more importance           but this isn’t always best, especially when   In conversations with multiple speakers,      these methods are typically slower than       restaurants. It can be good to have a
                                        on the mobility aspect of disability by      dealing with carers and employees.            it can be difficult to find a time to jump.   regular typing.                               person with you who can read what’s on
with others frequently it is not        participating in programmes to improve       However, this can also be an advantage        Especially if it takes you a few seconds                                                    your screen in case problems occur.
                                                                                                                                                                                 Eye tracking occurs when a camera is used
good for their mental health.           walking, for example. I think that dealing   as I was briefly a comedian and bluntness     to activate the speaking functions. I have
                                                                                                                                                                                 to track someone’s eyes to determine          You also need to be mindful of issues
                                        with communication issues should also        makes good comedy.                            accepted that sometimes I need to blurt
It is essential that they can do        have priority and speech-language                                                          out what I have to say. Hopefully, people
                                                                                                                                                                                 where they are looking. This is typically     relating to addiction and overuse. I work
this easily. Speech-language                                                         Slower communication can sometimes                                                          quicker than scanning but some devices        on the computer about 15 hours a day
                                        therapists can help parents to understand                                                  understand why I do that.
                                                                                     feel like a burden, so I don’t routinely                                                    only function well in certain lighting        with small breaks for meals, but this is
therapists should ensure that           the importance of communication.
                                                                                     chat online.                                  Communicating without high-tech               conditions. Since this can be slower          my choice. I try not to communicate
people feel as comfortable              Communication access can lead to
                                                                                     Sometimes slower communication can be         assistive devices                             than regular typing, chatting to another      electronically after 10pm to help avoid
                                        employment opportunities. For example,                                                                                                   person can be time-consuming and other        insomnia.
with communicating                      Lost Voice Guy is a comedian who delivers
                                                                                     a burden to the other person. If someone      Starting from a young age, children can
                                                                                                                                                                                 people can be impatient.
                                                                                     you know is acting like your communication    learn to point to pictures on a tray. For
as possible.                            jokes using a communication device. The                                                                                                                                                Which communication method
                                                                                     method is troublesome perhaps you can         example, they could have a symbol for         When I have a meeting, I sometimes            works best?
                                        same assistive technology can be used to
                                                                                     find another way to communicate with          toilet, yes and no. If they are not in a      type everything that I intend to say
                                        deliver speeches, or even write books.                                                                                                                                                 I can tell you that having several
                                                                                     them (for example, via email).                wheelchair, the symbols could be in a         beforehand, especially if I’m the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               communication methods works better
                                        I know a child who refused to use                                                          small book or they could press buttons        chairperson. There have been times
                                                                                     Usually devices or people can predict                                                                                                     than having one. Devices can fail, so
                                        communication aids. Perhaps letting                                                        on a device to communicate. If they           when I have typed up a letter to my
                                                                                     what the person is spelling, so completing                                                                                                having a technology-based method and
                                        people know of famous people with                                                          later learn to spell, the symbols can turn    doctor to give him – this is useful if you
                                                                                     the entire word is not necessary. This can                                                                                                a method that doesn’t use technology is
                                        disabilities, such as Stephen Hawking                                                      into letters, so they can communicate         need privacy.
                                                                                     be useful, but some people constantly                                                                                                     important. People who don’t know the
                                        or Lost Voice Guy, could be a way of                                                       effectively.
                                                                                     predict the wrong word, and this slows                                                      If you want to communicate with a             person with a communication impairment
                                        encouraging reluctant communicators.
                                                                                     the conversation down.                        When some people see letters on a             specific business, you can probably           well might cope better when technology
                                        Communication possibly affects                                                             tray, they assume that they must point        email them or text them. It can help to let   is utilised.
                                                                                     Since communication is slow, sometimes
                                        empathy levels. People are more                                                            to the letters themselves. This is fine if    them know you cannot talk and how you
                                                                                     the conversation shifts to a new topic                                                                                                    I primarily communicate over email or text
                                        likely to understand what others are                                                       you cannot hear but it can be annoying        communicate. If you operate a business
                                                                                     before the person finishes typing what                                                                                                    by using eye tracking with nine predicted
                                        going through if they have face-to-face                                                    otherwise. Having a note saying that          and want more information on being
Thane Pullan, author and AAC user                                                    they were going to say. Most of the time,                                                                                                 words to choose from. Most of my family
                                        conversations. Sometimes I am less                                                         others don’t need to spell is a good idea.    accessible, check out the People with
                                                                                     people will talk while someone is typing                                                                                                  can read my communication tray which
                                        empathetic because I don’t communicate                                                                                                   Disabilities website.
                                                                                     but I find this less stressful than having    Using technology to communicate                                                             mostly contains letters and numbers.
                                        with people often enough.
                                                                                     people wait silently. However, it can be                                                    It is worthwhile having a natural sounding
                                                                                                                                   Some people can also use a computer                                                         The key for effective communication
                                        I am blunter than regular people because     annoying when you are typing a good                                                         voice and quality speakers to minimise
                                                                                                                                   or specific device to communicate.                                                          is finding the systems that work for
                                        it takes me so long to communicate.          point and someone else says it right                                                        problems hearing your device. This is
                                                                                                                                   If they cannot type they can use an eye                                                     the individual. •
                                        I prefer to get my thoughts out quickly,     before you have finished!                                                                   important when you go to places like
                                                                                                                                   tracking or a scanning system, though

4   •   Communication Matters                                                                                                                                                                                                                Communication Matters    •    5
Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...
X Force: A communication solution
for young adults
Fern Maxwell
                                                                                                                                                                               Opposite page
                                                                                                                                                                               and left:
                                                                                                                                                                               The group worked
At the end of 2017, we           Many of these students used some             With the Giving Voice Aotearoa              The group identified their main problems:
                                                                                                                                                                               together to make
                                 verbal communication, however they           campaign in the back of our minds,          • Being interrupted part-way through
identified a gap in support      were mostly only intelligible to familiar    we facilitated a conversation around                                                             a storyboard and
                                                                                                                            a message
for young Augmentative and       communication partners or were relying      “what does communication mean to
                                                                                                                          • Communication partners attempting
                                                                                                                                                                               mind map their
                                 on people who knew them well to              you?” It was more successful than we                                                             ideas for their own
Alternative Communication        anticipate their needs. As a result, we      could have hoped. The group of 10
                                                                                                                            to guess the message before it has                 comic strip.
(AAC) users. We had a number                                                                                                been completed                                     Bottom:
                                 invited a number of young people to          young people wanted to share what
                                                                                                                          • Communication partners                             X Force to the rescue!
of teenagers and young adults    attend a group at TalkLink Trust as a        communication meant to them, but they
                                                                                                                            underestimating their abilities                    The finished product.
                                 pilot project.                               absolutely did not want to be in front of
who were not using, or were                                                   the camera! So, the group researched        • Not being given sufficient time
                                 We have been able to run groups
reluctant to use, their AAC      each term this year with great success.
                                                                              other awareness campaigns (mostly led         to complete their message in
                                                                              by speech-language therapists) and            a conversation.
systems because they felt they   A primary aim of the group was to
                                                                              came across The Language Stealers video
were the only person who         facilitate genuine and meaningful                                                        The group wanted the comic book
                                                                              made by a group of AAC users. Then our
                                 interactions between young people                                                        characters, the X Force, to save their
needed to use them.              aged 14 to 24. The young people were
                                                                              group’s project was decided –
                                                                                                                          peers from these day-to-day problems.
                                                                              a comic strip.
                                 fully engaged and took ownership                                                         They scripted, narrated and illustrated a
                                 of the group, giving it an awesome                                                       story book. The group are so happy with
                                 name: X Force! They identified topics                                                    the final product and hope that it helps
                                 they wanted to cover such as gaming,                                                     bring awareness of their voices. •
                                 blogging, sharing their experiences and
                                 even investigating elements of social
                                 media such as Snapchat.

6   •   Communication Matters                                                                                                                                         Communication Matters    •     7
Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...
Way to Play: A case study                                                                                                                     Giving the family and the centre the power to do this … has meant the
                                                                                                                                              progress has been incredible – it’s blown me away because I haven’t seen
Julia Woodward, Practice & Implementation Advisor, Ministry of Education
                                                                                                                                  – Katryna   that amount of rapid progress [before].”

Last issue we featured                 What were things like before                 Mei attended a half-day Way to Play           Mealtimes are easier as he will sit and try    to implement the strategies, and for Mei         Using the RBI at the beginning of service
                                       Way to Play?                                 session and then talked through the           different foods. He now interacts with the     to expand the strategies outside of the          got everyone onboard and motivated.
an article on Way to Play                                                           strategies with Katryna at home. Initially,   other children at daycare and plays with       home, for example, going to the park.            By focusing on social interaction as a
                                       Joe aged almost 3, attends daycare
strategies implemented by              four days a week. His mother Mei             Mei found it difficult and spent a lot of     his siblings.                                                                                   foundation, goals in other areas have
                                                                                    time “being the entertainer”, but Katryna                                                    What contributed to success?                     been achieved without doing specific
the Ministry of Education              reported that Joe was a happy child and
                                                                                    talked through “serve and return”
                                                                                                                                  Priya and Joe have developed a “really
                                                                                                                                                                                “Going in with the confidence from                intervention for them.
                                       emotionally regulated. His focus was on                                                    beautiful” relationship. They were
and Autism NZ. This issue              objects rather than people and he was        interaction and following a little bit of                                                    knowing that if we find the right pattern
                                                                                                                                  recently chasing each other on bikes                                                            Final thoughts from Mei
we learn more through an               not yet using words. Mei was worried         video feedback, Mei tried again. Mei
                                                                                                                                  using pattern, memory and variation
                                                                                                                                                                                 it will work – sharing that with the family
                                       that she was not doing enough. She was       learnt to build a pattern with variations                                                    was really helpful – give this a go – even if   “Before Way to Play, I felt lost and had no
impact case study.                                                                  and a memory catchphrase that helped
                                                                                                                                  as the basis for their interaction. The
                                                                                                                                                                                 it doesn’t work the first time, keep going!”     knowledge or confidence to help Joe
                                       also concerned about the lack of social                                                    teachers also use the strategies to make
                                       interaction and connection with her          redirect Joe back to the pattern.                                                                                                             progress. I needed guidance [but] was
                                                                                                                                  routines easier. For example, they now         Priya says “the videos are a fantastic
                                       child. Mealtimes were a “nightmare”.                                                                                                                                                       initially sceptical about what Way to Play
                                                                                    At daycare, Katryna introduced Way to         use a memory catchphrase to get Joe            tool to have as it helps you to see the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  could offer me, but … I quickly began to
                                       Priya, head teacher at Joe’s daycare,        Play through a one-hour session with          to the table for mealtimes, previously         interaction in a different way, pick up
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  realise how much I could learn. I have a
                                       and her team wanted to know how              Priya using videos and written resources.     a very stressful time of day. Joe is more      where you could improve … and gives
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  better understanding of Joe now, I learnt
                                       to increase social interaction for Joe.      Priya then implemented the strategies         aware of other children, and the teachers      you extra confidence”.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  what autism really felt like for him, why
                                       They were concerned that he had little       with Joe and this was followed by a           have included other children in games
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  children with autism do what they do,
                                       interest in people. It was challenging for   video-coaching session. They focused on       using these strategies. For example, the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  who are the best people to help him,
                                       Priya and her team to get Joe to follow      establishing patterns that were engaging      children have been jumping off a beam               ?                                           how to tackle tricky situations and when
                                       centre routines.                             before introducing variation. Another         holding hands.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  to celebrate success.
                                                                                    coaching session two weeks later used                                                            Way to Play terms:
                                       Prior to Way to Play, Katryna, a speech-                                                   Mei is more confident as a parent.
                                                                                    videoclips that Priya had taken of herself                                                                                                   “With these new skills I went home and
                                       language therapist working with Joe,                                                       She is now feeling good about what she             Pattern
                                                                                    implementing the strategies.                                                                                                                  got out of my comfort zone. I started
                                       had few practical strategies to share                                                      is doing for her child. She has stopped            A repeated set of actions                    acting silly with Joe, and immediately
                                       with parents and families struggling to      What were the results?                        the one-to-one private speech-language
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  achieved an engaging playtime with him.
                                       connect with their children with autism.                                                   therapy sessions and now says “I do                Memory catchphrase
                                                                                    In the four months since the RBI and                                                                                                          We have celebrated with lots more fun
                                                                                                                                  speech therapy with him every day!”.               Like an advertising jingle, that
                                                                                    the introduction of the Way to Play                                                                                                           play every day since.
                                       What happened?                                                                             Mei feels more in tune with Joe and                reminds you of something. Used
                                                                                    strategies there has been “a huge, huge
                                       Katryna and Mei had a Routines Based                                                       has the skills to support her child’s              here to remind of joyful interaction        “Pattern, memory and variation worked
                                                                                    change”. The interactions between Joe
                                       Intervention (RBI) conversation to                                                         development. She has introduced                                                                 very well for Joe. My husband and
                                                                                    and the adults closest to him have been
                                       help Mei identify her priorities. Her                                                      concepts like “all gone” and “stop”                Variation                                    Joe’s sisters also have adapted [these
                                                                                    transformed: there is more connection,
                                       goals focused on participation in daily                                                    and Joe is now using these too.                    Slight changes to the pattern                strategies] and Joe is now a much
                                                                                    more trust and everyone is more relaxed.
                                       routines, especially mealtimes, and                                                                                                                                                        happier, playful and very cheeky boy.”•
                                                                                                                                  The next steps are to involve Joe’s father
                                       communicating using words.                   The intervention has impacted all areas                                                          Source: www.waytoplay.co.nz
                                                                                                                                  more, to support more teachers at daycare
                                                                                    of learning. Joe is now using 13 words.                                                                                                       All names are pseudonyms.

8   •   Communication Matters                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Communication Matters   •      9
Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...
Giving Voice Aotearoa Awareness Week
                                                                 We learnt how to be patient,
16–22 September 2018                                             put in the effort to understand,
                                                       – Tracy   and invest in communication.”
400,000 Kiwis have a             Top:
                                 Canterbury
communication disability,        University hosted
including an inability to        a bake sale to
                                 fundraise for the
speak and be heard easily,       Christchurch
processing spoken and            Aphasia Hub to ride
                                 another rail trail
written language, and reading    down south…
and following signs. Around      never ever give up!

the country, speech-language     Bottom left:
                                 Message from                                                                Quote and top right
therapists raised awareness      NZSTA’s Giving                                                              image:
of communication disabilities    Voice Aotearoa                                                              Messages from
                                 social media
and their role in ensuring       campaign.
                                                                                                             NZSTA’s Giving
                                                                                                             Voice Aotearoa
everyone has a voice. •          Bottom right:                                                               social media
                                 Aphasia education                                                           campaign.
                                 at Rotorua Library.                                                         Left:
                                                                                                             Communication
                                                                                                             stand at Kelston Deaf
                                                                                                             Education Centre.
                                                                                                             Far left:
                                                                                                             The Speech
                                                                                                             and Language
                                                                                                             Therapist’s Club at
                                                                                                             Massey University
                                                                                                             raised awareness
                                                                                                             using alternative
                                                                                                             communication
                                                                                                             methods with
                                                                                                             the public at their
                                                                                                             barbecue.

10   •   Communication Matters                                                                      Communication Matters   •      11
Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...
Area updates
 Book review

“The person with dementia is
 still there inside”
 Kate Hedworth

 Angela Caughey joined Brain      Angela further shares her expertise              “The person with dementia is still there
                                  in her book How to Communicate                    inside” – a message repeated throughout
 Day Auckland: The Amazing        with Someone Who Has Dementia:                    this publication, and it certainly is a   Northland                                   It has been a busy year for our members,       not always the most verbose crowd they
 Brain. Angela was a panellist    A Guide for Carers. As a speech-                  message worth repeating. Angela weaves                                                particularly the last month. Our members       continue to engage and contribute to
                                                                                                                              22 members                                  participated in the Giving Voice Aotearoa      the member network on a regular basis.
                                  language therapist, this book has given           empathy and compassion into pragmatic
 discussing the topic             me valuable advice and insight into               chapters educating her readers about      Eleven members attended our winter          Week of Action in various and highly           We also receive contributions from
 Living Well with Dementia:       the journey taken by those caring for             common types of dementia and providing    meeting. Everyone has been working          creative ways. Several organisations           overseas members, who can provide an
                                                                                                                              away over the winterless north winter       around the city championed the Giving          international perspective (for example,
 research, community and care.    people with dementia. It has a unique             practical examples of communication
                                                                                                                              and is looking forward to warmer and        Voice Aotearoa posters and postcards,          the IDDSI update and various awareness
                                  perspective and is dedicated in its focus         strategies in action.
 She talked passionately about    on making communication possible                                                            sunnier days. We have welcomed Cindy        and two speech-language therapists from        programmes).
                                                                                    I recommend this book for professionals                                               Middlemore Hospital ate only pureed
 her personal experience caring   with people often seen as hopelessly
                                                                                    and carers alike, to find easy-to-read
                                                                                                                              Blades and Vallari Chavan to Whangarei
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The Auckland region has hosted many
                                  unreachable. Angela writes not only of                                                      Hospital on maternity leave contracts,      foods for a week (I’m looking forward to
 for her husband who had                                                            advice and support, as well as to gain    and Caroline Bartholomew now has            reading about their experience). A strong
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         professional development courses,
                                  her own experience and suggestions,                                                                                                                                                    including an excellent workshop
 dementia for over 12 years,                                                        insight into the experience of brave      a permanent position at the hospital.       contingent made the trip to Dunedin for
                                  but shares the stories of others, illustrating                                                                                                                                         by Dr Caroline Bowen. We look
                                                                                    individuals who are getting on with       Denise Poole has started at Blomfield       the NZSTA Professional Development
 and generously provided          the variety of situations and challenges
                                                                                    whatever life throws their way. •         School. Denise has recently moved to        Symposium. We have welcomed many
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         forward to an exciting year ahead with
                                  faced by carers supporting their loved                                                                                                                                                 upcoming opportunities in many areas
 heartfelt yet practical advice   ones (or not-so-loved-ones as Angela                                                        New Zealand from South Africa. •            new members (including new graduates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         including AAC, dysphagia, literacy
 to Brain Day patrons.            writes with refreshing honesty).                                                                                                        and new arrivals to our shores), and several
                                                                                                                              Lucy Schumacher                                                                            and phonological awareness, and cleft
                                                                                                                                                                          have found the NZSTA’s information and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         palate and velopharyngeal insufficiency
                                                                                                                                                                          support network highly useful.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         (VPI). There is also regular patronage to
                                                                                                                              Auckland                                    The shift to a predominantly                   various special interest groups, and these
                                                                                                                              317 members                                 teleconference-led area meeting has            continue grow year on year.
                                                                                                                                                                          been met with positive feedback from
                                                                                                                              It has been my privilege to represent the                                                  Thank you to all the members, both vocal
                                                                                                                                                                          our members, who appreciate the
                                                              How to Communicate with Someone                                 greater Auckland region over the last                                                      and silent, who continue to advocate for
                                                                                                                                                                          flexibility and accessibility of the new
                                                              Who Has Dementia: A Guide for Carers                            year, carrying on from the great work                                                      us, our colleagues, and the communities
                                                                                                                                                                          format, although some have lamented
                                                              by Angela Caughey                                               done by Fern Jones. Auckland is home to                                                    we work with. I look forward to being of
                                                                                                                                                                          the loss of the “social” aspect of
                                                              Published by Calico Publishing, May 2018                        the highest number of NZSTA members,                                                       service in the year ahead – same Bat-time,
                                                                                                                                                                          meetings. The meetings have regularly
                                                              128 pages                                                       who come from health, education,                                                           same Bat-channel. I’d also like to take this
                                                                                                                                                                          have 45 to 60 participants, and though
                                                                                                                              research, as well as private practice.                                                     opportunity to thank Philippa Friary for her
                                                              RRP $35

 12   •   Communication Matters                                                                                               Photo credit: Graeme Murray                                                                             Communication Matters   •   13
Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...
incredible contribution to the NZSTA and     results of early intervention for patients    and I presented literacy instruction with    an SLT” and “working in private practice”.   Otago/Southland                               There have been many changes of staff
the profession. We have greatly benefited    with aphasia. Dr Robin Matthews from          adults with intellectual disabilities.       Thanks also to Charis Siow, Helena Sincock                                                 in the region partly due to a high number
from her presence in our meetings. And       BOPDHB successfully defended his PhD                                                       and Livvy Pride for organising these
                                                                                                                                                                                     54 members                                    of speech-language therapist babies
                                                                                           Amanda White’s doctoral work continues
finally, hearty congratulations to Annette   in research around singing and its impact                                                  well‑attended events. We look forward        Attendance at meetings has ranged from        arriving this year!
                                                                                           with Talking Matters. Heather Drysdale’s
Rotherham, our new NZSTA president!          on voice in Parkinson’s disease.                                                           to the student representatives running       7 to 9 members with a few attending
                                                                                           autism spectrum disorder teen girl meet                                                                                                 Members who attended the ISAAC
We look forward to an exciting chapter                                                                                                  these events again next year. •              remotely. At the end of June 2018
                                             The members have been very supportive         up is going well at Hutt Valley Child                                                                                                   (International Society for Augmentative and
for the NZSTA. •                                                                                                                                                                     Kathryn Palmer stood down as area
                                             and enthusiastic which has been very          Development Team. MoE’s fluency group        Ruth Ramsay & Kate Cook                                                                    Alternative Communication) conference
                                                                                                                                                                                     representative and I took over role.
Akshat Shah                                  much appreciated! It is an exciting time      sessions continue in the Porirua-Tawa-                                                                                                  in Australia gave very positive feedback
                                                                                                                                                                                     I would like to thank Kathryn on behalf of
                                             to be a member of the NZSTA and I hope        North Wellington area with preschool,                                                                                                   and shared some useful resources. Since
                                             to continue to share all my learnings and     early school age, and pre-adolescent         University of Canterbury                     the members for doing a great job.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   the NZSTA Professional Development
Waikato/Bay of Plenty                        passion with my area members. Tama tu,        groups. REAP Wairarapa is starting an oral   40 members                                   Area meetings continue to pose a              Symposium was held in Dunedin this year,
72 members                                   tama ora; tama noho, tama mate kai (he        language initiative in early 2019. Nelson-                                                technical challenge to ensure all members     we had good representation at the event.
                                                                                                                                        Our Giving Voice Aotearoa bake sale
Tēnā koutou katoa. This year has been        who stands, lives; he who sits, perishes).    Marlborough Child Development Service        on campus was a highlight in our week        meeting via Zoom can hear adequately.         There was a wide range of high-quality
another exciting one with lots of            The NZSTA has certainly been standing         wishes Helen McLauchlan all the best in      of action. We worked with aphasia            We are keen to resolve this as effective      presentations, made all the better by
collaboration and change. Annabelle          this year and we all need to continue         her new endeavour. They also are making      advocate Junelle Robinson and her            remote access is critical for our very wide   the opportunity to network with fellow
Hastings (née Blue) stepped down as our      to stand with them and appreciate             changes following their communication        friends to create a baking and scone         geographical region. Whilst our attendees     speech-language therapists and the lovely
area representative and I have had the       all they do for us and our profession.        access self-audit. •                         stall to raise money for the Aphasia Rail    work with a wide cross-section of client      food on offer to keep the grey matter
privilege of taking on the role. Our area    Ngā manaakitanga. •                                                                        Trail Fund. Across two days, we raised       groups, we would welcome increased            working. Dunedin also came to the party
                                                                                           Shannon Hennig
covers a wide region. We continue to                                                                                                    $854 – this exceeded our expectations!       representation from Ministry of Education     with some lovely spring weather.
                                             Gwen Kerrison
have attendance from both MOE, DHB                                                                                                      It was fantastic to have the student         (MoE) speech-language therapists as
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The Aphasia NZ group in Dunedin
employees as well as those in private                                                      Canterbury/Westland                          speech-language therapist community          most attendees work for Ministry of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   continues to thrive and grow due to
practice which has taught us about           Wellington/Nelson                             184 members                                  rally together to donate baking and time.    Health (MoH) or in private practice.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   the enthusiasm of Alison Zani, regional
the different challenges and successes       89 members                                                                                 We were able to educate the university       Members have embraced the Giving              Aphasia NZ coordinator, and invaluable
                                                                                           This year of meetings have flown by!
across sectors.                                                                                                                         community on what we do as speech-           Voice Aotearoa campaign. We have              transport assistance from Driving Miss
                                             For Giving Voice Aotearoa, we prepared        Thank you to everyone coming along
                                                                                                                                        language therapists, whilst also helping     passionate champions, Bridget McArthur,       Daisy, who received a Communication
There have been many staffing changes        a lesson plan to share with schools and       in person, “Zooming in” or adding
                                                                                                                                        a great cause.                               Alison Zani and Warren Cossou, who have       Access Award at the symposium.
with new roles being introduced to           passed out lots of posters to libraries,      comments to the minutes – it’s a great
further promote the speech-language          Work and Income New Zealand offices,          way to share everyone’s thoughts and         We aim to continue with our student          some great ideas for raising awareness.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet
therapy profession within allied health      Minister of Parliament offices, hospitals,    bring people together.                       professional development events next         There have been a range of initiatives
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Standardisation Initiative) implementation
and beyond in the health sector.             and even a veterinary clinic!                                                              year. We are currently considering           already: articles in local newspapers,
                                                                                           This year our practicing members have                                                                                                   is ongoing in the region, posing some
Meghann Grawburg has been appointed                                                                                                     discussions on foetal alcohol syndrome,      meeting with a local councillor,
                                             Many in our area attended the NZSTA           supported and provided professional                                                                                                     challenges for the SDHB team due to the
to the professional lead role at Bay of                                                                                                 working in Paris, and working with           communication training for hospital
                                             Professional Development Symposium.           development events, especially for                                                                                                      diet texture terminology currently used
Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB)                                                                                                   Parkinson’s disease. •                       reception staff and Driving Miss Daisy
                                             Naomi Bondi presented her research            our NZSTA student members. A big                                                                                                        by their food service provider. •
and myself as clinical lead in Waikato                                                                                                                                               staff. Looking to the future, the Southern
                                             with the Wellington Aphasia Relaxation        thanks goes to Brenda Sargent-Bradley,       Helena Sincock & Livvy Pride                 District Health Board (SDHB) team             Meryl Jones
DHB. Biddy Robb is now in a permanent
                                             Group; Sarah Spence and Claire-Ellen          Jody Govan, Morgan Curry, Ashleigh                                                        we would love to help make the new
role at Tairāwhiti DHB and they are
                                             Brewer presented CommunicAprons: A            Neumann and Carol Croy. They have                                                         Dunedin Hospital as communication
involved in the rural interprofessional
                                             Tool to Support Total Communication at        shared their knowledge on topics such as                                                  accessible as possible.
education programme (TIPE). BOPDHB
                                             Kimi Ora School; Gabi Iseli talked about     “SLTs supporting with paediatric feeding
finished their involvement with the VERSE
                                             dysphagia following spinal cord surgery;      in the community”, “working overseas as
research and are eagerly awaiting the

14   •   Communication Matters                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Communication Matters   •   15
Communication - Thoughts from an AAC user X Force Chef training Giving Voice Aotearoa Week of Action - New Zealand ...
NZSTA Board Member update                                                                                                                                                        NZSTA Board Member update

Member networks                                                                                                                                                                  Professional standards
Jodi White membernetworks@speechtherapy.org.nz                                                                                                                                   Dr Anna Miles professionalstandards@speechtherapy.org.nz

                                           Member queries for the NZSTA Board          A: This is a great question. Some               of the Access Alliance and the Access                                                    to support the NZSTA’s response.
                                           Q: What is the ratio of non-member to       assistance may be available if the              Matters campaign working towards                                                         Feel free to respond independently or
                                           member SLTs?                                event meets criteria. Please check the          better service to New Zealanders                                                         from your workplace. You should have
                                                                                       professional development policy on              with communication disabilities                                                          received the survey via email.
                                           A: Based on the most recent census,         the NZSTA website. For further advice,          throughout the lifespan. Also, TalkLink
                                           approximately 1200 people in                                                                                                                                                         Thank you for your support in
                                                                                       contact Claire Winward, the professional        Trust can continue to be involved
                                           New Zealand state they are speech-                                                                                                                                                   communication access advocacy.
                                                                                       development portfolio holder. We are            with clients after they leave school if
                                           language therapists. NZSTA has a            also looking at updating our professional       they have a trust-issued device.
Kia ora koutou,                                                                                                                                                                  Thank you everyone who joined us in            Registration & regulation
                                           membership of just over 800 (including      development policy and will consider this
                                           student members). This is a great                                                           Q: Several queries have been              Dunedin for our annual general meeting         From 1 January 2019, all full members will
It was wonderful to see so many people                                                 request, as financial assistance of this type
                                           membership proportion and enables us                                                        received by members wanting to            and NZSTA Professional Development             be able to call themselves a “speech-
at the recent NZSTA Professional                                                       would need to be written into the budget.
                                           to have more power as a collective force.                                                   know how to obtain continuing             Symposium.                                     language therapist registered member
Development Symposium. On a personal
                                                                                       Update to last issue’s queries                  professional development (CPD)                                                           with the NZSTA”.
level, it was wonderful to meet some of    Q: Can we have the second Giving Voice                                                                                                Parliamentary & Government
                                                                                                                                       points when working in a role such as
our area and student representatives who   Aotearoa poster uploaded to the website,    Q: There is a gap in service for students                                                 submissions                                    The NZSTA are working with employers
                                                                                                                                       a manager with minimal face-to-face
are doing such a great job keeping us      so members can then download?               who use a communication system and                                                                                                       and encouraging the public to only
                                                                                                                                       clinical component.                       We have received the announcement of
connected.                                                                             have an ongoing need for speech-                                                                                                         engage in an agreement with speech-
                                           A: We are not planning to do this as the                                                                                              the Ministry of Education Draft Disability
                                                                                       language therapy input after they leave         A: There are plenty of ways to                                                           language therapists registered with the
Thank you all for your continued support   quality of poster when downloaded from                                                                                                and Learning Support Action Plan release.
                                                                                       school. What can we do?                         earn points without face-to-face                                                         NZSTA. More information can be found
of the area meetings and feedback to       the website is quite poor. The banner                                                                                                 Feedback is due by 31 October. You can
                                                                                                                                       contact. Please refer to the CPD                                                         on the NZSTA website.
the NZSTA Board’s responses. We have       will be available for use on Facebook       A: This is something that NZSTA takes                                                     find the draft plan on beehive.govt.nz.
                                                                                                                                       Log Information page on the NZSTA
addressed queries that arose from the      and Twitter. This has been shared with      seriously and our previous response                                                                                                      Upcoming NZSTA policy
                                                                                                                                       website with links to policy and FAQ      This action plan is positive for our
recent round of area meetings. Please      members via the area representatives.       to this query was an error. There are
                                                                                                                                       documents for more information.           communities. There is a focus on increased     • Prosthetic Surgical Voice Restoration
also remember to check the NZSTA                                                       several ways we are trying to support
                                           Q: Can the NZSTA to provide upfront                                                         For specific advice, please contact       support, early assessment, cross-                (SVR): The role of the speech and
website to access the national collated                                                these students. NZSTA Board Members
                                           funding for invited speakers or                                                             Claire Winward, the professional          disciplinary and cross-sector working,           language therapist.
minutes as these are not emailed. If you                                               Annette Rotherham and Anna Miles
                                           presenters to member-hosted events?                                                         development portfolio holder. •           well-being and resilience, and improved        • New Zealand speech-language
would like your area’s meeting minutes,                                                recently met with Minister of Disability
                                           Often the initial cost is too much for                                                                                                coordination of services. The NZSTA,             therapy clinical practice guideline
please contact your area representative.                                               Issues Carmel Sepuloni to discuss
                                           members to pay personally and wait for                                                                                                however, feel the voice of the speech-           on children’s eating, drinking and
                                                                                       communication access for people with
Ngā mihi,                                  reimbursement.                                                                                                                        language therapist is critical to ensure the     swallowing (paediatric dysphagia).
                                                                                       disabilities. NZSTA is an active member
Jodi                                                                                                                                                                             action plan truly works for children.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Anna
                                                                                                                                                                                 Members’ opinions are greatly needed.
                                                                                                                                                                                 The NZSTA Board and Expert Adviser
                                                                                                                                                                                 Group have created a member survey

16   •   Communication Matters                                                                                                                                                                                                              Communication Matters   •   17
NZSTA Board Member update                                                                                                                   NZSTA Board Member update

Māori & cultural development                                                                                                                Communications
Renee Taylor culturaldevelopment@speechtherapy.org.nz                                                                                       Amy Oughton communications@speechtherapy.org.nz

                                                 Unfortunately, like many other organisations   The success of this role will be measured                                                   to inspire and develop children’s and            difference in the lives of those we work
                                                 across sectors it appears that a tokenistic    by creating safe environments for                                                           adults’ communication skills, confidence         with and within the communities we live
                                                 approach prevails. We talk about Māori         participants from across the profession                                                     and self-belief through drama, music and         in. We really are superheroes.
                                                 in the third tense and, more concerning,       to feel free and valued, so they come                                                       musical theatre performance. We also
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             September has been a month full of
                                                 in a deficit way. We are good at listing all   forward, understand and actively engage                                                     run a Confident Communicators holiday
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             inspiration and education, with the
                                                 the negative statistics but nowhere to be      in seeking, finding and implementing                                                        programme which is a combination of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             NZSTA Professional Development
                                                 seen are examples of success. My current       solutions to Māori inequity.                                                                speech-language therapy, drama and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Symposium in Dunedin, Giving
                                                 role has no specific description, no                                                                                                       musical theatre.
Kia ora koutou,                                                                                 I will not support a “dial a kaumātua/      Kia ora from a very small town in                                                                Voice Aotearoa Week of Action and
                                                 prerequisite of skillset or competencies.
                                                                                                kuia” or “only undertaken by Māori or       South Canterbury!                               Prior to moving to Twizel, I worked              International Accessible Information Day.
We had a successful NZSTA Professional           No outcomes or outputs. “Just do the
                                                                                                only those who are proficient in te reo                                                     at Christchurch Public Hospital.                 After reflecting on this month, I hope
Development Symposium in Dunedin                 Māori thing” – whatever that means.                                                        This is my first update as the
                                                                                                Māori” tokenistic approach.                                                                 Christchurch is where I started                  many of you came away feeling just
with a great turnout of members who              It seems the role is about ticking boxes,                                                  communications portfolio holder.
                                                                                                                                                                                            developing my passion for awareness              as inspired, motivated, educated and
gathered and shared their research               such as taking care of karakia, whakatau,      I invite all our members to come forward    Firstly, I would like to say that I feel very
                                                                                                                                                                                            campaigning by getting involved in the           proud to call yourself a speech-language
and work experiences. Furthermore,               pōwhiri or waiata at conference or             and offer their support, experiences        privileged and honoured to be given
                                                                                                                                                                                            International Communication Project              therapist in Aotearoa New Zealand as
we continue to support our indigenous            seminar gatherings.                            or suggestions, and to join me on this      this opportunity and I look forward to
                                                                                                                                                                                            and being the campaign lead for Giving           I did.
whānau in Australia in preparation for our                                                      journey moving forward.                     working alongside the NZSTA Board and
                                                 So my approach has been very personal.                                                                                                     Voice Aotearoa. After taking a break from
joint conference in Brisbane 2019. We                                                                                                       fellow speech-language therapists.                                                               The last couple of weeks have been
                                                 I am of Māori decent, I am also of             Ngā mihi,                                                                                   these incredibly important campaigns
also continue to work towards having an                                                                                                                                                                                                      all about transition. Annette has been
                                                 Albanian, English and Scottish decent.         Renee                                       Seeing as many of you won’t know me,            to have my son, I am looking forward to
NZSTA kaumātua to help support and                                                                                                                                                                                                           handing over her communications
                                                 I am monolingual. I was brought up                                                         I thought I would use this issue to tell        getting involved again.
guide our association.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       portfolio work and talking through new
                                                 agnostic/atheist but with Christian                                                        you a bit about myself. I live in Twizel in
                                                                                                                                                                                            Accessibility is something that has always       ways to drive awareness in 2019. I am
Being in this role for just over a year now      Orthodox values. I am passionate and                                                       the beautiful Mackenzie Country. I have
                                                                                                                                                                                            been important to me. Accessibility for          really looking forward to working with
I thought I’d take this opportunity to reflect   will speak up wherever I witness injustice,                                                a husband, a large and very loud dog,
                                                                                                                                                                                            those with a communication difficulty or         Geneva, our Giving Voice ambassador, in
and share with you the observations and          unfairness or unethical behaviours or                                                      and a crazy but gorgeous one year old,
                                                                                                                                                                                            disability, but also accessibility of service,   our new consumer group, and designing
challenges that I’ve encountered.                practices. I am also proud standing in the                                                 Oscar, who keeps me on my toes!
                                                                                                                                                                                            especially for those living in a rural area.     a blueprint and a workshop for the next
                                                 sun and casting my own shadow. I do not
Firstly, I am very impressed with the                                                                                                       I started my private practice almost two        Where you live shouldn’t restrict you from       Giving Voice Aotearoa campaign. I have
                                                 feel I need to fit in or become someone
commitment and eagerness from the                                                                                                           years ago and work across both health           fulfilling your dreams, what you want to         some big boots to fill! This will be a very
                                                 else’s shadow. I will not be made to feel
NZSTA Board Members to embrace                                                                                                              and education, offering services to all         achieve, and especially from accessing           exciting and busy nine months.
                                                 guilty or inadequate because I do not
and support a kaupapa to address and                                                                                                        ages. Another part of my work is running        services that you want or need.
                                                 bless food or speak or write in fluent                                                                                                                                                      Take care,
improve Māori health outcomes.                                                                                                              the Mackenzie Performing Arts Academy
                                                 te reo Māori.                                                                                                                              I am very passionate about the work              Amy
                                                                                                                                            for children and adults right across the
                                                                                                                                                                                            we do as speech-language therapists
                                                                                                                                            Mackenzie Country. This academy aims
                                                                                                                                                                                            and believe we really do make a critical

18   •   Communication Matters                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Communication Matters   •   19
NZSTA Board Member update

Professional development                                                                                                                Contact details
Claire Winward professionaldevelopment@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                                                                                                        NZSTA Board Members
                                                                                                                                        President                          Annette Rotherham                    president@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                                                                                                        Communications                     Amy Oughton                          communications@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                I would like to thank again everybody who    So, onwards and upwards! I am already
                                                                                                                                        Member networks                    Jodi White                           membernetworks@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                took time out of their busy schedules to     looking forward to our joint conference
                                                make this event such a great success:        with SPA in 2019 (especially as I don’t    Professional development           Claire Winward                       professionaldevelopment@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                • Our Keynote speakers – Jane Carroll        have to organise it). For those of you     Professional standards             Anna Miles                           professionalstandards@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                  (and her elusive brain) and Sue            who are unable to make the trans-Tasman    Māori and cultural development     Renee Taylor                         culturaldevelopment@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                  McDonell. Thanks, Sue, for making          trip, we are in the throes of planning a
                                                  me realise why I have never liked milk!    Wellington-based NZSTA professional        Area representatives
                                                                                             development event to coincide with
Kia ora koutou,                                 • All our other speakers – the standard                                                 Northland                          Lucy Schumacher                      ar.northland@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                                                             our annual general meeting, so watch
                                                  was extremely high, as noted by
Well, it has been a busy few months                                                          this space!                                Auckland                           Akshat Shah                          ar.auckland@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                  Gaenor Dixon, president of Speech
organising the NZSTA Professional                                                                                                       Waikato/Bay of Plenty              Gwen Kerrison                        ar.waikato.bop@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                  Pathology Australia (SPA). I hope some     Ngā mihi mahana,
Development Symposium – I hope
                                                  of you will join us across the ditch to    Claire                                     Central                            Elisa Mynen                          ar.central@speechtherapy.org.nz
you’ll agree it was worth it!
                                                  share our homegrown research to a                                                     Wellington/Nelson                  Shannon Hennig                       ar.wellington@speechtherapy.org.nz
The highlight of the symposium for me             wider audience next year.                                                             Canterbury/Westland                Kate Cook & Ruth Ramsay              ar.canterbury@speechtherapy.org.nz
was seeing how closely aligned our              • Our student speakers – it was great to
seemingly diverse work can be. As we                                                                                                    Otago/Southland                    Meryl Jones                          ar.otago.southland@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                  hear you share your research in such a
discovered, from newborn hearing                  confident and professional manner.
screening to palliative care, the core skills                                                                                           Student representatives
                                                • Our student volunteers, Helena,
that we bring to our roles are the same                                                                                                 Massey University                  Jacqui Morgan, Brianna Oosterbroek & Bo Young Choi      sr.massey@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                  Jacqui and Shauna – thanks for your
– empathy, collaboration, a passion for                                                                                                 University of Auckland             Nicole Liley & Shauna Pali                              sr.auckland@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                  willingness to take on every task we
communication and, of course, lifelong
                                                  threw at you, and especially for writing                                              University of Canterbury           Livvy Pride & Helena Sincock                            sr.canterbury@speechtherapy.org.nz
learning. Every time I turned around,
                                                  all the personal thank you notes.
I saw speech-language therapists from
                                                • All our session chairs – thanks for your                                              Other contacts
different backgrounds and different areas
engaged in robust practice discussion.            help in making sure we could finish                                                   National private practitioner
                                                                                                                                                                           Bridget MacArthur                    privatepractice@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                  on time.                                                                              members’ representative
                                                                                                                                        Administrator                      ONZL Limited                         admin@speechtherapy.org.nz • +64 9 475 0214
                                                                                                                                        Speech, Language and Hearing
                                                                                                                                                                         Editor: Anna Miles                     professionalstandards@speechtherapy.org.nz
                                                                                                                                        Journal of APSSLH, HKAST & NZSTA
                                                                                                                                        NZSTA                              www.speechtherapy.org.nz • admin@speechtherapy.org.nz • PO Box 302469, North Harbour, Auckland 0751
                                                                                                                                        Communication Matters editor       Karen Watson                         editor@speechtherapy.org.nz

20   •   Communication Matters                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Communication Matters   •   21
Photos

NZSTA Professional
Development Symposium
The 2018 NZSTA Professional Development
Symposium was held at Otago Museum, Dunedin,
September 13–14. Copies of some presentations are
available on the NZSTA website. •

                                                    Top left:
                                                    Dervla Beaumont explains models of service delivery in her
                                                    team-based approach for enhancing the vocabulary learning
                                                    environment for children with language learning difficulties.
                                                    Top right:
                                                    (Left to right) Jacqui Morgan, Helena Sincock and Shauna Pali,
                                                    NZSTA student representatives and event volunteers, at the AGM.
                                                    Bottom:
                                                    Philippa Friary gives her thanks and closing remarks as she stands
www.speechtherapy.org.nz                            down as president.
You can also read