ACQ_Vol_11_no_3_2009

57 / 60

ACQ Volume 11, Number 3 2009 183
very challenging so I have now moved on. I consider myself
as privileged to have had the role in the CCC, working
alongside the incredible medical team and sharing such a
personal journey with these children and their families.
worried and it is difficult for them to explain to their children
what is going on. Working with the procedural pain therapist,
therapeutic stories were written for procedures. For example,
for one child who refused to have a CAT scan, a therapeutic
story successfully assisted and prepared the child and the
family by explaining what a CAT scan is and what would happen.
It is also essential to give siblings space and an
opportunity to talk to someone. They may be worried about
their ill brother or sister but feel unable to share this with their
parents. Being a conduit back to the family is important. For
example, the toddler who is suddenly left with grandparents
because the parents are in hospital with her baby sister who
has a tumour starts to have major separation anxiety from
her parents. I also have a role in recognising what is normal
sadness and what requires more psychosocial intervention.
I believe my communication specialist background
provided complementary skills for my role as a mental health
clinician that in turn benefited children and families at the
CCC. Such a role, while greatly satisfying, is emotionally
Diana Russo has experience as a paediatric speech pathologist
in early intervention and education but her major work experience
has been in child and adolescent mental health. She has a Masters
Degree in Health Sciences (Infant & Parent Mental Health) and a
Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences. She is currently the
senior speech pathologist and a mental health clinician at Southern
Health CAMHS in Victoria.
Correspondence to:
Diana Russo
Senior Paediatric Mental Health Speech Pathologist
Southern Health CAMHS, Community Services Building
Dandenong, Victoria, 3175
phone: (03) 9767 8274
Speech Pathology Australia
National Database
Use the online Speech Pathology
Australia National Database when
searching for Speech Pathologists
Search For
A Speech
Pathologist
Online Speech Pathology
Australia National Database
Don’t forget to use and refer your clients to the online
Speech Pathology Australia National Database which
is currently available on the Speech Pathology
Australia website. On the homepage you will find a
button on the bottom right hand corner titled ‘Find a
Speech Pathologist’ click this button to be linked to
the Database.
The online Speech Pathology Australia National Database holds information on all our members, both private and public speech
pathologists, Australia wide. If you are looking for a speech pathologist in your local area, it is as simple as entering your
Postcode, and ticking the ‘Search surrounding suburbs’ box.
Speech Pathology Australia members are encouraged to keep their practice information up-to-date as much as possible either
via your online ‘User Profile’ or by contacting National Office. The information you submitted at the time of renewing your
membership is entered into the Database. This information will be available online unless you have indicated ‘I do not want
these details used for public referrals, private practice directory listings or online searches’
Remember this referral information is both a service to the public and a benefit to the marketing of your own practice/services.