Speech Pathology Week 2025: “Impact through communication”. What this means to us in uncertain times
In Australia, Speech Pathology Week starts today.
It’s a good opportunity to explain:
- who we help
- who we are
- our impact
- big changes that will affect how we help
- why we’re speech pathologists
Who we help:
Speech pathologists – also known as speech therapists or speech-language pathologists – help children and adults who need support with:
- communication (including understanding and using language)
- swallowing
Who we are:
We are university-educated, allied health professionals:
- regulated nationally by Speech Pathology Australia
- subject to Professional Standards, a Code of Ethics, and background checks
- required to provide up-to-date, safe, personalised, and evidence-based care
Our impact:
We help people increase their:
- functional skills, like speech, language, and literacy skills
- home and community participation
- social confidence, e.g., with family and friends
- learning and work opportunities
- public communication access
- independence, autonomy, and self-advocacy
- physical and mental health
- quality of life
Where you can find us:
Right now, we work across health, education, and disability sectors. We work in lots of places, including:
- community health and supported playgroups
- private clinics
- early childcare centres and preschools
- schools
- hospitals
- universities
- homes
- aged-care settings
- disability organisations (large and small)
- workplaces
- online
Big changes:
We are working hard with our clients, patients, participants, and families to adapt to several big changes that will affect how we work:
- NDIS reforms
- “Thriving Kids” (Foundational Supports) proposals
- Primary Healthcare reforms
- Education reforms
- Economic pressures
- New evidence
- New technologies
Why we’re speech pathologists:
Despite all these changes, our purpose – the positive impact we want to make in people’s lives with communication and swallowing – remains unchanged.
Happy Speech Pathology Week everyone!
This article also appears in a recent issue of Banter Booster, our weekly round up of the best speech pathology ideas and practice tips for busy speech pathologists, speech pathology students, teachers and others.
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