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Speak Out June 2013 19
Dyslexia study urgently
needs your help!
Do you have clients with dyslexia or with a family
history of dyslexia, who are:
• Parents of 0-6 month old infants?
• Expecting a baby?
The UWS MARCS BabyLab is examining the
development of speech, language and cognitive
abilities of 120 infants from six months through to
5 years of age. The study investigates possible
acoustic, speech, and cognitive precursors of
later reading ability, and what methods might
be used for detecting such reading disabilities
as dyslexia.
Participants will receive BabyLab
degrees for their child, a small gift
and $30 for each visit to cover
travel expenses. For more
information or to refer your
client to our study please
contact Rachel Lee
on 9772 6313 or email
Speech pathology in the Top End
meaning of words and phrases, and another is the co-editor
of the Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language
Pathology. Staff members are also involved
in conducting local and national research projects.
We were part of a successful team to gain Australian
Research Council funding to determine if a preschool
computer-based service can promote speech
development and reduce the risk of reading difficulty.
We have also investigated the collaborative practices
of early childhood educators and speech pathologists
when working with preschool children with communication
difficulties, and will present this work in Italy and Estonia
later in 2013.
In December 2012, the twelfth cohort of students graduated
from the speech pathology program at CSU. Past graduates
are now working in a range of settings in Australia and
internationally, in clinical and research positions.
Dr Jane McCormack
Lecturer in Speech Pathology
Charles Sturt University
C ROCODILES, CYCLONES AND HUMIDITY are
often the things that come to mind when people
think of the Top End. The Northern Territory is
home to the jumping crocodile, Mindil Beach Sunset
Markets, the Beer-can Regatta and the NT News and
Territory Day (Firecracker night). At the tip of the Top
End is the capital, Darwin; situated on the Timor Sea,
Darwin is a hub of diversity and multiculturalism. With
a population of 131,700 people, Darwin is by far the
smallest of all of the capital cities in Australia.
I moved back home to Darwin after completing my
speech pathology degree at the end of 2012. I am
now currently employed as a new graduate speech
pathologist at the Children’s Development Team –
Darwin Urban. Returning home was not a difficult
decision for me – my family is here, I love the warmer
weather, the people and the laid-back Darwin lifestyle.
As a born and bred Territorian, I thought that it was
important to give back to my community and work with
other health professionals to provide much needed
services to Territorians in need of assistance.
The Children’s Development Team (CDT) services the
Darwin and Palmerston region. (continued next page)
Home is where the heart is!
Hooked on the lifestyle: After completing her degree interstate, Amy
Southwood returned home to Darwin to practise speech pathology.