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• advocate for the introduction of funding models recognising
the value of capacity building and support for families,
friends and carers;
• with client permission, communicate explicitly with families
and carers to ensure they have a good understanding of
the effects of the communication or eating and drinking
difficulty, and the best ways to support the client’s goals;
• develop and deliver comprehensive resources and group
programs for family members, friends and carers to
build understanding and develop strategies relevant to
different needs, such as, infant feeding, autism spectrum
disorder, learning disabilities, aphasia, acquired brain injury,
progressive neurological conditions;
• ensure these resources and programs are available in Easy
English and languages other than English, and recognise
cultural differences in responding to communication, eating
and drinking needs;
• partner with appropriate organisations to ensure family
members, friends and carers have access to resources and
supports to guide them in successful case management
and advocacy;
• partner with other relevant professions and consumer peak
bodies to establish a system of client and family mentors for
families with similar needs;
• establish referral pathways and proactively assist families
and carers to access relevant health and social supports for
their own needs; and
• establish employment opportunities for family members,
friends and carers in a range of support and advisory roles
in the speech pathology service system, to bring valuable
knowledge and skills to the development and delivery of
services.
Making it happen
Children’s Centres for Early Childhood
Development and Parenting are
located across South Australia in
areas where there are high numbers
of vulnerable children and families.
A key goal for speech pathologists
working in the allied health program
in children’s centres is to enhance
families and carers’ skills and
confidence in engaging with their
children in ways that promote
children’s healthy development and
well-being.
An example of this capacity building
work is a group program facilitated by
the centre’s speech pathologist and
occupational therapist in Southern
Adelaide. Families with children
who have been identified as at risk
of developmental difficulties are
encouraged to attend the program.
Information is provided to parents and
carers about various aspects of child
development and positive attachment
relationships and how these difficulties
can impact on children’s development.
Speech pathologists also discuss
the rationale behind activities, and
how they can be repeated at home
and other locations. Most of the
time is spent supporting parents and
carers to engage with their children in
activities supported by the allied health
staff who use modelling and coaching
to build capacity. Families and carers
then apply their learning at home
and in other settings, and are able to
discuss how this went and problem-
solve with the speech pathologist
when they next attend the group.
Parents and carers have reported that
some of the benefits of this group
program include opportunities to
talk in an informal, non-stigmatised
setting with professionals about their
children’s development; learning
and reflecting on their relationships
with their children and how they
can enhance their interactions; and
connecting with other families in
similar situations. Speech pathologists
have noted that these programs
provide a soft entry point for families
into early childhood services, and
often are successful in engaging
families who find it difficult to
participate in other services.
Leading the way...
Allied health in children’s centres program, Department for Education
and Child Development, South Australia
As we step into the future, the speech pathology profession will: