School-based speech pathologists are proving to be a vital link between students, educators and families across South East Queensland.
Brisbane Catholic Education is using national Speech Pathology Week (August 26-31) to highlight the work of their speech pathologists, which are part of the organisation’s broad in-school allied health support network.
Education Officer (Speech Pathology) Catherine Court, who recently won the Archbishop’s Award for Leadership at the 2024 BCE Excellence Awards for her inspiring approach to leading a dedicated Speech Pathology team and her contribution to the adaption of literacy monitoring tools, said their work went beyond working with students directly.
Ms Court said it incorporated working with families and educators to develop a deeper understanding of a student’s communication needs.
“Speech pathologists work with students, teachers and families to help them understand what a diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder means. We work together to support their access to, and participation in, school life,” she said.
“We see such positive outcomes when we bring together multidisciplinary teams to support our students to have their voices heard.”
BCE speech pathologist Amanda Tighe said communication was foundational to learning in the classroom.
“Understanding instructions, expressing thoughts and opinions or participating in discussions – communication underpins all of these things,” Ms Tighe said.
“By supporting students with their communication, we’re not only helping them to access the classroom, but giving them skills for life.”
Working with schools, BCE speech pathologists help students who may need support with speech, language, fluency, literacy, or who may require alternative or augmentative forms of communication (AAC) such as signing or the use of an electronic AAC device.
BCE Senior Manager (Student Diversity and Wellbeing) Dionne Lloyd said speech pathologists played a vital role in building school communities that valued diversity.
“They are a key part of our school support network of allied health professionals, removing barriers to learning and making adjustments for our students so they can learn on an equal footing with their peers,” Ms Lloyd said.
