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24 Speak Out June 2017
Professional practice
worry more because I thought they were hiding something from
me (which they were but that’s a story for another day!).
Another thing I learned during my years as a clinician is that you
cannot predict how someone will react when given the news that
their child has a lifelong disability. But you can deliver the news
in a way that gives them confidence in your diagnosis and the
support that is available to their child to achieve and thrive.
Our clients want us to be confident
Speech pathologists are the only professionals with the
knowledge and expertise to diagnose language and speech
sound disorders. We owe it to our clients to be confident in our
skills and to stand by the outcomes of our diagnostic process.
We also need to assure our clients that in order to determine an
accurate diagnosis it may take time, require other professionals
to be involved or it may be necessary to seek a second opinion
or refer on to another professional. SPA’s document Second
Opinions and Independent Reviews steps you through some of
the frequently asked questions about these two processes.
Here are some tips as to the how to differentially diagnose
common childhood speech, language and communication
disorders:
1. Know the red flags
2. Hone your case history taking skills
3. Determine if there are standard assessment protocols
4. Attend PD if required
5. Seek supervision from a speech pathologist with advanced
diagnostic knowledge and skills.
Speech Pathology Australia is in the process of developing a
document for members of the general public that you may find
useful and that you may use with your clients as you embark
on the diagnostic journey. It will be added to the website and
advertised in National eNews once completed.
Finally, don’t underestimate the impact you will have on your
clients, particularly as you may be the first health professional
they engage with. Clients interviewed for SP 2030 told SPA,
“Help us connect – that’s what’s important”, and the information
they provided supported SPA to articulate the purpose of speech
pathology.
Here’s a reminder of what each of you strives for every day.
As speech pathologists our work supports each and every person
to:
• communicate effectively;
• eat and drink, balancing safety and enjoyment;
• connect and belong;
• exercise their right to self-determination;
• fulfil their day-to-day needs;
• participate in, and contribute to, their community;
• learn to their full potential; and
• expand and achieve their life choices.
*This topic will be workshopped at the SPA National Conference
and an article about the DLD and LD terminology will be included
in the next edition of Speak Out .
Christine Lyons
Senior Advisor Professional Practice
...don’t underestimate the impact you will
have on your clients
Be Inspired at the
SPA National Conference
in Adelaide 2018
Turn to page 11
for more information