Live life to its fullest – make your voice heard

23 August 2010
 
Relationships, work, education and everyday tasks like ordering coffee can be challenging for someone with a communication difficulty.

That’s why Armidale Speech Pathologist Miranda Barry is urging the community to be aware that communication is central to living a fulfilling life this week, Speech Pathology Week (22-28 August). This year’s theme is ‘Vocational Communication’.
 
 “While many of us take communication for granted, one in seven Australians live with a difficulty or impairment,” Ms Barry said.
 
“We rely on communication to express our thoughts and feelings, for good and for bad. Not having the ability to communicate effectively can be socially isolating, frustrating and adversely impact on quality of life.”
 
People can develop a communication difficulty at any stage in their life – from birth to older age. For children, communication difficulties can be associated with prematurity, hearing impairment, congenital syndromes, developmental delay and autism. While adults can develop a communication difficulty as a result of stroke, neurological disease, head injury, intellectual disabilities, degenerative disease and other conditions.
 
Speech Pathology Week highlights the many ways a speech pathologist can help people effectively communicate and get on with living fulfilled and happy lives. 
 
“Speech pathologists are health professionals and communication specialists who help people with communication and swallowing difficulties find an effective means to participate in life activities and reach their full potential.
 
“We also work with professional voice users, such as teachers, singers, actors and radio announcers to ensure they have the capacity to meet the demands of their work,” Ms Barry said.
 
If you are concerned about a friend or family member who might have a communication difficulty, encourage them to visit a speech pathologist or make enquiries at their local education or health service.
 
For more information you can also go to the Speech Pathology Australia website at speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Contact: Emma Gibbs

Phone: (02) 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767