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10 Speak Out June 2017
the Department of Education through a
funding agreement to develop resources
to help schools decide if and how they
could employ a speech pathologist in their
school. This is a good news story and I
have with me today Christine Lyons who
is our Senior Advisor Professional Practice
who is also dual trained as a teacher and
speech pathologist who is leading that
project and can provide further details to
you.
Christine can also speak in detail regarding
issues we are seeing with the interface
between the NDIS and schools. As a
national organisation we have members
who work in schools, in private practice
and through NDIS funding streams across
the country. In some ways, our members
are at the “pointy end” of disagreements
about which sector is responsible for
supporting a student with disability – this
is particularly problematic in situations
where the student has complex disability
needs and has swallowing problems. This
interface problem needs to be resolved
at a policy level so that the students do
not miss out on the support they need
regardless of NDIS eligibility.
We feel it is also important to highlight that
the NDIS has been extremely valuable for
many children. Right here in Newcastle
at Waratah West Public School we can
see a great example of where a speech
pathologist is working within NDIS funding
and is embedded within the primary
school’s educational team. This speech
pathologist is working with 10 per cent
of the school’s student population, all
of whom are Indigenous children who
have multiple layers of disadvantage and
complexity. None of these children would
have access to speech pathology without
the NDIS and the school is seeing great
gains being made for these children. This
scenario is not common but is an exemplar
of what can happen when the NDIS and
education sectors interface well.”
To read the full transcript of the
session go to www.parliament.nsw.
inquiry-details.aspx?pk=2416#tab-
hearingsandtranscripts
Policy and advocacy
2018 Annual
speech
pathology
Resource
Guide!
Planning is underway for the 2018 Speech Pathology
Resource Guide – the ultimate guide to resources, services,
tools and products for the speech pathology profession.
Members can enter a free submission and take advantage of
discounted display advertising.
Early bird booking December 1
For more information visit the publications page of the SPA website or
contact the publications officer at
au to receive the advertising kit and booking form.
Save the date.... Early bird
discount
10%
Attending the NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into the provision of education into students with a disability or special needs in New South Wales schools
is (back row from left) The Hon. Daniel Mookhey, Mr David Shoebridge, SPA National President Gaenor Dixon, SPA Senior Advisor Professional Practice
Chris Lyons and, (front row from left) The Hon. Natasha Maclaren-Jones (Acting Chair) and The Hon. Duncan Gay.