JCPSLP July 2014_Vol16_no2

Policy and practice

From the editors Jane McCormack and Anna Copley

Contents

49 From the editors

50 Consumer-focused practice and service perceptions in brain injury rehabilitation units – Kerrin Watter, Paula Addis, Anna Copley and Emma Finch performance of Australian students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their first year of school: A preliminary investigation – Maria Lennox and Marleen Westerveld 66 Screening and assessing for (central) auditory processing disorder and the role of the speech-language pathologist: A survey of Queensland clinicians – Wendy L. Arnott, Caroline A. Henning and Wayne J. Wilson 73 Treating (C)APD and the role of the speech language pathologist: A survey of Queensland clinicians – Wendy L. Arnott, Caroline A. Henning and Wayne J. Wilson 58 Enhancing emergent literacy

M any of you will be aware that the Australian Senate is currently undertaking an inquiry into the prevalence of communication impairment across Australia and the provision of speech pathology services. Some of you may have contributed submissions to this inquiry. Speech Pathology Australia prepared a submission highlighting the prevalence and impact of communication difficulties across the lifespan and the need for holistic and evidence-based service provision. In order to ensure appropriate service provision, there is a need for policies that recognise the extent of the need and that enable speech pathology services to address this through appropriate funds, personnel and infrastructure. The current issue of JCPSLP is timely in that it focuses on the link between policy and practice. Within this issue, Watter and colleagues explored the way in which current speech pathology services are delivered in brain injury rehabilitation units, while Arnott and colleagues investigated current practices in the assessment and management of central auditory processing disorders. In both studies, information gathered from this research has the potential to inform future policy development. In another paper, Lennox and Westerveld evaluated the effectiveness of a pilot program targeting children’s emergent literacy, which had been designed to accommodate current policies and subsequent service provision limitations. Trembath discussed the implications of changes to policy, specifically changes in the DSM-5 relating to the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, for speech pathology practice, and Davis and colleagues described the development of a tool to manage dysphagia in thrombolysed patients, when no policies/protocols previously existed. Finally, Hopf provided an overview of service delivery in Fiji and the policies that guide practice in a Majority World (“developing”) Country. Regular columns such as “Ethical Conversations”, “Webwords” and the “Top 10” also focused on the relationship between policy and practice. Policies, whether they be at a service, state or national level, influence and impact our work as speech-language pathologists. However, our work as clinicians and researchers can inform and guide policy development. We hope you enjoy reading this issue which explores some of the ways in which policy and practice interact in the field of speech-language pathology.

81 Services for people with

communication disability in Fiji: Clinical insights – Suzanne Hopf

87 Changing the way we diagnose autism: Implications for policy and practice – David Trembath

90 Management of dysphagia in thrombolysed stroke patients:

Development of a preliminary clinical practice protocol – Jennifer Davis, Elizabeth Cardell and Anne Coccetti

98 A reflection on ethical policy

development: A case example of a hospital patient with dysphagia – Helen Smith and Christina Wilson

103 Webwords 49: Policy, practice and social media – Caroline Bowen

105 Policy and practice top 10 resources – Sheridan Forster

107 Resource review

49

JCPSLP Volume 16, Number 2 2014

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au