26 SpeakOut
April 2014
SpeechPathology Australia
BRANCHnews
WesternAustralia
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
watching all the children
interact, play games and
make new friends. My
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.
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
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.
JasmeetKaurFlora
Final Year SpeechPathology
Student, CurtinUniversity
“Ican’tstop thinkingabout
SummerFunandhow ithas
helpedShaneandmyself.
Itwassoeducational.
Theeducators that facilitated the
eventhave leftapositivemark
onShaneandmyself.
Theprogramhashelped
me insomanyways
tohelpmyson. Itwasrunby
anamazingmixofpeople that
helped tounlock thepotential
Iknow is insidemyson”
AlanaSeaman,
motherofSummerFun
participantShane
From left: Kathy Ziatas (SpeechPathologist), programparticipant ShaneSeaman& Jasmeet Kaur Flora (Therapy Assistant).
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
SummerFun inAlbanyprogram
