Pages 1-20 from Speak Out Feb 2017 FINAL lo res

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February 2017 Speak Out 27
Adelaide, SA ............. Mar 9 - 11, 2017
Brisbane, QLD ....... Mar 20 - 22, 2017
Perth, WA ......... April 20 - 22, 2017
Sydney, NSW .................. 2017 (TBC)
See our complete workshop schedule at
Discover the difference More Than Words® can make. Register today for one of these
upcoming workshops:
More Than Words® Autism Workshop
This could be a turning point
in your career
It takes 3 full days of intensive hands-on training. But where the
commitment is big, the return is even bigger.
When you attend More Than Words®, you fundamentally transform the
way you provide early intervention to children with autism. You both
simplify your work and strengthen your impact, making a more tangible
difference for families and young children than you ever imagined.
This newly updated workshop provides you with the tools to know exactly
were to start and what to do with each new child. An assessment protocol
and goal-setting framework help you zero in on the specific needs of each
child, while research-based interaction strategies and a parent
involvement framework ensure that you’re meeting those needs in the
most effective way possible.
The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation
Initiative (IDDSI) is an international, multi-disciplinary group of
volunteers who have been collaborating since 2012 to develop
standardised terminology for texture modified foods and
thickened liquids for people with dysphagia. The final IDDSI
framework was released on 12 September 2015 and can be
found at
Thank you to the members of both Speech Pathology Australia
(SPA) and the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) for
providing valuable feedback regarding the implementation of the
framework in Australia.
SPA and DAA hosted a stakeholder forum on 9 November 2016,
at which time the consensus view was to adopt the new IDDSI
framework. It was agreed that there will be many benefits to
implementing the framework including positioning Australia as
leaders in the use of international standards in dysphagia care.
This initiative also presents an opportunity to advance application
of international research on dysphagia.
There were, however, concerns among the stakeholder
participants, including those relating to nutritional risk, risk to
patient safety in the transition period, provision of funding and
resources for education and implementation, the need for a
realistic timeline and testing methods. A risk management plan will
be required to manage these risks moving forward.
Both SPA and DAA Boards ratified the decision to endorse
and implement the IDDSI framework in Australia at their recent
November meetings.
A steering committee has now been established with
representatives from SPA, DAA, food service, industry and IDDSI.
The steering committee will plan for an appropriate timeline and
resources needed for implementation, as well as assessing and
managing the potential risks.
Adoption of the IDDSI framework in Australia will still be a number
of years away. Please continue to use the current Australian
Standards for Texture Modified Foods and Fluids at present and
we will keep you updated as further plans are made.
For further information or questions contact Trish Johnson at SPA
National Office: .
Gail Mulcair
Chief Executive Officer
International Dysphagia Diet
Standardisation Initiative