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BRANCHnews WesternAustralia

SummerFun inAlbanyprogram

Overthe summer break, I had the opportunity to workwith some of the most beautiful children and therapists I have evermet in an intensive summer program inAlbany. The speech and language program, run at Mt Lockyer Primary School, was createdby Kathy Ziatas. The five day program, with two three-hour sessions per day, included eight different language stations and a social skills group. There were a total of 24 children agedbetween five to 14 years that were either in the morningor the afternoon session. Participating childrenwere diagnosed withAutismSpectrum Disorder, Down syndrome andCerebral Palsy. I was ready for a challenge and open to new clinical experiences butmost importantly, I was eager to meet the children and learn asmuch as I could. This was alsomy first time out of thePerthmetropolitan area, so I was eager to see the change in lifestyle on a personal and a professional level. I ran the narrative and comprehension station for majority of theweek. It was amazing to see the growth of each childwithin that particular language domain. I foundwhat workedbest for each child, whatmotivated them and how to unravel their potential (even if all the 10 year oldboys thought I was crazy). My first highlight was taking part in the social groups where the goat (puppet) gave compliments to all the children andmademe cry with laughter. It was great

placement and hopefully working in rural WAwhen I graduate. I felt fortunate and grateful to have been given this rewardingopportunity. I left Albany feeling refreshed, inspired, motivated and ready to startmy final year of University. I am looking forward to attendingmore Albany FunPrograms in the future. Thank you for inspiring meAlbany. tohelpmyson. Itwasrunby anamazingmixofpeople that helped tounlock thepotential Iknow is insidemyson” AlanaSeaman, motherofSummerFun participantShane “Ican’tstop thinkingabout SummerFunandhow ithas helpedShaneandmyself. Itwassoeducational. Theeducators that facilitated the eventhave leftapositivemark onShaneandmyself. Theprogramhashelped me insomanyways

From left: Kathy Ziatas (SpeechPathologist), programparticipant ShaneSeaman& Jasmeet Kaur Flora (Therapy Assistant).

By the end of the program, I understood the needs for each child toprovide them with optimal intervention. I would have not been able to achieve this if it wasn’t for Kathy Ziatas and the team, the children and their caregivers. In terms of working inAlbany, I can say without any doubt, I have been converted to a rural girl. I loved the sense of communitywith the relaxed andpositive vibes around me. I amdefinitely looking forward tomy 18week rural

second highlight was learning from the speech pathologists through observation and participation in all activities (in and out of the clinical setting). My third highlight wasmeetingdifferent children who inspiredme to study harder and create awareness for communication disorders. I learnt that you can never really know the extent of a child’s language ability, and all they need is a positive and safe environment with encouragement to unravel their potential.

JasmeetKaurFlora Final Year SpeechPathology Student, CurtinUniversity

Child LanguageResearchConference:DiscoveriesandNewDirections TheCentreof ResearchExcellence inChild Language,MCRI 22–23May2014, TheRoyal Children’sHospital,Melbourne Keynote speaker : Professor CateTaylor, Telethon Institute forChildHealthResearch WithPresentationsby : Prof SueRoulstone, DrPatriciaEadie, Prof James Law, Prof JanNicholson, Prof SheenaReilly andothers Theprogram is arrangedaround five themes, from languagedevelopment pathways, risk factors& comorbidities, to intervention and translational research. Highlights: • Ahypothetical debate, A convenient label forwhom?Taking the specificout of language impairment. • Apanel discussion, Research topolicy topractice . Registration $350+GST for bothdays includesmorning tea, afternoon teaand lunches Pleasevisit ourwebsite (below) for further details oremail louise.wardrop@mcri.edu.au www.mcri.edu.au/childlanguageresearchconference

watching all the children interact, play games and make new friends. My

26 SpeakOut April 2014

SpeechPathology Australia