Speak Out February 2018

Association news

Swallowing Awareness Day 2018

In 2018, Swallowing Awareness Day is on Wednesday 14 March. The theme for Swallowing Awareness Day 2018 is “Swallowing is ageless!” A secondary theme is: “What’s this thing called dysphagia?” Swallowing problems can occur at any stage of life. However, knowledge of dysphagia and its implications remain largely unknown for most Australians. For this reason, the Association and its Board of Directors felt a designated day to promote the effects and management of dysphagia was warranted. Like breathing, swallowing is essential to everyday life. Humans swallow at least 900 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. Swallowing Awareness Day 2018 is an opportunity to bring attention to swallowing disorders and to connect people with speech pathologists, the professionals who can help.

Members can get involved with Swallowing Awareness Day in a number ways. Two of the easiest are: • Engage on social media by using #900swallows and/or #dysphagia and by including @SpeechPathAus in your Twitter and Instagram posts; and • Download the Swallowing Awareness Campaign materials that can be found on the Swallowing Awareness Day page on the Association’s website: www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/swallowing Swallowing Awareness Day 2018 is an opportunity to bring attention to swallowing disorders and to connect people with the professionals who can help. Find more information of the Swallowing Awareness Day page on the Association’s website: www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/swallowing

speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/swallowing

#900swallows #dysphagia @SpeechPathAus

awareness day Wednesday 14 March 2018