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 [...]
In Speech Pathology Week 2018, we call for greater action towards national communication accessibility. This is the message we send with this year’s theme: Communication Access Is Communication for all. Like mobility or wheelchair access, communication access is enabling people with communication disorders to get their message across by removing barriers to effective communication, or [...]
We are big fans of group therapy for adults at Wollongong Speech Pathology. There is good evidence that talking together with peers leads to good communication outcomes. And people LIKE coming to groups to practice their communication goals. It makes sense really. When attending a group, you get focused practice on a communication skill as [...]
Speech pathologists are well known for helping children with speech problems. This is an area of practice that receives significant attention during a speech pathologist's training, and is the subject of countless (and great) textbooks. But what happens to the child that continues to speak unclearly into adulthood?? How can speech pathology help an adult with speech [...]
With the National Disability Insurance Scheme now in full-swing down in the Illawarra, I’m taking a moment to stop and ask myself, “how are we going as NDIS Providers”? I’ve pulled together my top 5 tips for working with the NDIS, which help me to provide quality Disability services My Top Five for working with [...]
About the NDIS Illawarra Family Fun Day On Saturday 26th August I was out at Kembla Grange Raceway, welcoming the NDIS to the Illawarra. This was the official "launch party" for the NDIS in the Illawarra and the turnout was impressive. I really enjoyed seeing the positive interactions between participants, their families, and service providers. [...]
What is it like to have a speech pathology placement in private practice? Great question! This guest blog post was written by a speech pathology student, Sarah El-Wahsh. Sarah completed her final speech pathology placement with us in August 2017. She gives us some great insights into a placement in private practice.... Learning beyond the [...]
Our first pair of speech pathology students - Jaimie and Lizzy - have now finished their placement with Wollongong Speech Pathology. It was a dream having them on board with us. I loved talking to them about clients! It was brilliant to have two extra people involved, giving input into clients' assessment and treatment plans. [...]
Wollongong Speech Pathology is now taking Student Speech Pathologists on clinical placement. Let's talk about why! Benefits to clients: a fresh perspective to therapy programs access to up-to-date evidence & techniques Benefits to the practice: give something back to the profession providing quality clinical opportunities to students Benefits to students: exposure to a wide range [...]
