Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing which can place a person at risk of serious consequences to their health and wellbeing. It can occur with disabling conditions such as brain injury and stroke, physical and intellectual disability, normal ageing, dementia, and progressive neurological disease. Risks of dysphagia include choking, aspiration (where food and drink enter the airway), malnutrition and dehydration. Aspiration can cause aspiration pneumonia which can be life threatening.

I assess and treat disorders of swallowing. My services include:

• Cranial nerve assessment and informal observational assessment in all environments

• Comprehensive reporting

• Referral for video fluoroscopy or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing and liaison with referral hospitals regarding outcomes of assessment

• Provision of a mealtime plan outlining safe swallowing procedures

• Diet and fluid modification and prescription of fluid thickeners

• Provide swallowing rehabilitation exercises

• Training for clients, family and staff

• Liaison with the treating team e.g. Occupational Therapist, GP, Dietitian

I am able to assess and treat motor speech, dyspraxia and voice disorders which may result from a range of brain injuries, stroke, progressive neurological disease and physical disability as well as articulation and phonological disorders resulting from developmental delay.

I have training in SPEAK OUT!®  for Parkinson’s Disease and associated disorders.

I work to help my clients improve their overall intelligibility through:

• Strategies to improve voice, projection and intonation

• Strategies to assist articulation of speech sounds

• Use of aids to assist with voice projection

• Use of aids to resolve communication breakdown

Aphasia is the language impairment which results from stroke. Impacts are variable depending on the severity and type of stroke or brain injury.

I can assess and treat receptive and expressive language disorders, resulting from stroke or brain injury as well as intellectual and learning disabilities, progressive neurological diseases. I can:

• Help to improve speaking, listening skills

• Train communication partners around strategies to improve their interactions with people with aphasia or language disorder for clearer communication

• Develop low and high technology communication aids to assist people with language impairment in communicating at home and in the community

• Provide communication programs for support workers, day programs and family to follow.

• Provide ongoing monitoring of functional communication in all the client’s environments and look at ways to enhance their participation and inclusion.

I have level 1 Key word sign training.

Social communication challenges can impact significantly on a person’s ability to be their best self.

I can assess and help improve difficulties with social communication. This includes using role play, video modelling, social scripts and discussion to help my clients to:

• Recognise the importance of and practise facial expressions, tone of voice and body language

• Start, maintain and end conversations

• Understand the difference between open and closed questions

• Understand conversation "rules"

• Build friendship skills

• Build assertiveness and manage conflict

• Set goals and targets for social communication

Reading and writing difficulties can occur as a result of intellectual and learning disability or following brain injury or stroke.

I have a Diploma in Educational Studies in addition to my Speech Pathology degree.

I can assess and treat reading and writing impairments. I can:

• Help to improve reading and writing skills

• Train communication partners to support reading and writing skills development

• Develop low and high technology communication aids to assist people with reading and writing difficulties to develop functional skills at home and in the community