Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote the speech pathology profession and the work done by speech pathologists with the more than 1.1 million Australians who have a communication or swallowing disorder that impacts on their daily life.

Speech Pathology Australia is the Association for speech pathologists and has over 8000 members.

The theme for Speech Pathology Week in 2018 is: Communication access is communication for all!

This theme draws on aspirations from the Speech Pathology 2030 project.

The project is a landmark initiative that will engage members of the profession in the development of a shared vision for how the profession will successfully respond to change over the next decade and beyond.

The theme reinforces the important role that speech pathologists play in the lives of Australians with speech and swallowing difficulties.

Being literate throughout every stage of life is vital to be able to maintain, understand and create a connection with the world around us. 

Speech pathologists help people of all ages to learn, or re-learn, important literacy skills that allow them to engage with and participate in the community.

Teenagers

A teenager whose literacy difficulties have meant they are unable to get the most from their education has limited further education and employment prospects may benefit from visiting a speech pathologist.

Adults

Sometimes rehabilitation is necessary to support, regain or redevelop reading skills after strokes and head injuries in adults .

An adult who must re-learn to read following an acquired brain injury may be at the same reading level as their children.

Sometimes literacy skills such as reading and writing, may be the only way a person can communicate after losing the ability to speak or understand the spoken word.

Elderly

Frequently, an older person who is no longer able to gain meaning from what they read may lose their ability to function independently, for example; read medication.

New technology

The introduction of new technologies such as smart phones and mobile devices has been a revolution for people who need to use alternative means to communicate whatever their level of literacy might be.

If you are concerned about a friend or family member who may have a communication difficulty, encourage them to visit a speech pathologist or make enquiries at their local educational or health service.