Our clinicians regularly participate in professional development to further hone their skills and ensure that they remain up to date with the latest research evidence. One of our speech pathologists recently completed advanced training with Speech Pathology Australia in Metacognitive Strategy Instruction (MSI). This innovative approach is a powerful tool for helping individuals recovering from brain [...]
Effective communication is a cornerstone for good quality of life. For adults with communication challenges, we can use tools and strategies to optimise communication and enhance quality of life. These tools and strategies can be grouped under the heading Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC). In this article we will explore one type of AAC, namely [...]
Dysphagia refers to impaired swallowing and is a common condition among older adults. This condition can lead to serious health concerns such as malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia. While safety is often our key concern for those diagnosed with dysphagia, it is essential to also remember how it impacts emotional and social well-being. Speech [...]
Communication is fundamental to our everyday lives. Whether it’s expressing our thoughts, needs, or emotions, the ability to communicate effectively plays a crucial role in our personal and professional interactions. However, for some individuals, communication is not as straightforward due to what is known as Complex Communication Needs (CCN). In Speech Pathology Week 2024, [...]
Aphasia is relatively uncommon after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), with incidence estimated between 2-32%. In May 2024, I presented a poster at the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI) conference. This article provides supplementary materials to that poster. Scroll to the bottom of this post for references and to find a [...]
Are you a person with a brain injury or disability who likes to travel? You should check out this travel planning checklist. It was created BY people with brain injuries FOR people with brain injuries (and other disabilities). The checklist was created as part of a rehabilitation program called "project-based group therapy". Please watch [...]
Dementia is more than just memory loss. It is a collection of symptoms affecting thinking, memory, language, and behaviour. A person with Dementia may have difficulty completing everyday tasks like reading, writing, expressing emotions, finding words when talking, and participating in conversations. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. Rather, it is caused by brain disease. [...]
When a person experiences communication difficulties because of a cognitive problem, they may have a "cognitive-communication impairment". For example, a person might have an underlying memory problem which results in difficulty remembering the topic of a conversation, or difficulty remembering the steps in an instruction. These communication difficulties are caused by the memory impairment, [...]
Like breathing, swallowing is essential to everyday life. Humans swallow at between 500-700 times a day, around three times an hour during sleep, once per minute while awake and even more during meals. Around one million Australians have a swallowing difficulty ('dysphagia'). Swallowing problems can occur at any stage of life. However, the knowledge [...]
For some individuals, verbal communication is not feasible or effective. Does this mean that the individual is unable to communicate? Of course not! It may mean that the person uses something other that speech to get their message across. Cue Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In this article by our speech pathologist Jordan Duncan, we explain [...]
