Communication SUMMER 2016
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
communication SUMMER 2016 VOLUNTEERING IN PERU PROGRAMMING AT ALLENVALE RYLA 2016 LINDA BURKHART Editorial – R. Lucas van Ryn [email protected] contents 01 EDITORIAL As the end of the year is upon us, some things are winding attended RYLA this year and tells us about the range of leaders 02 PRESIDENT’S REPORT down, only for us to get busy with others. Although the crazy she met with, the importance of follow-through in what you say, 03 LINDA BURKHART WORKSHOP 2016 season is here, I trust that you have made holiday plans and that and the value of reflection (p. 4). 04 ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS 2016 the Summer break will bring you some time for reflection and Mereti Howe and her Speech-language Therapist Marie contemplation and to spend with friends and family. I also hope Jardine give us an insight into the intensive care setting—from 05 OBITUARY: CHRIS JUSTIN that all of you have stayed safe through the recent Kaikoura both a patient’s and therapist’s perspective—through their 06-07 VOLUNTEERING IN LIMA, PERU earthquake. journey of combating Myasthenia Gravis, a neuromuscular 08-09 AREA UPDATES This issue of Communication Matters highlights the range disease (pp. 12-13). Mereti comments she was “sad . to leave 10-11 ALLENVALE STUDENTS: FROM CONSUMERS TO CREATORS of things us Speech-language Therapists get involved in. Megan people I now consider friends, who helped me over a really Chinnery shares her experience of volunteering as a Speech- challenging five months in hospital.” 12-13 MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: AN UNPREDICTABLE JOURNEY language Therapist in Lima, Peru (pp. 6-7). Working alongside Michelle King, Speech-language Therapist at Allenvale 14 BOOK REVIEW: TALKING BABY the local therapist with children in an orphanage, Megan school, talks to Information Technology teacher Jenny Gosney 15 NZSL ASSESSMENT TOOLKIT implemented a variety of communication strategies, including about Allenvale’s new digital technology curriculum (pp. 10-11). 15 DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES: SPEECH PATHOLOGY IN SYDNEY core boards and key signs, and extended the therapy outside While many students, especially in a special education setting, of clinic sessions by modelling communication strategies with use digital technology to access the curriculum, or to access 16 GIVING VOICE CAMPAIGN UPDATE carers in the orphanage. Both Megan and the orphanage were communication, Allenvale aims to enable students to use digital 16 PATIENT SAFETY WEEK extremely grateful for the experience and input they gained. technology as active creators, and has succeeded in finding 17-20 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL REPORTS The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership a range of motivating technology solutions. Stay tuned too for 21 CONTACT DETAILS training camp for young leaders within their field. Jessamy news about AAC at Allenvale in the next issue. Amm, Speech-language Therapist at The TalkLink Trust, Cover photo: Lima, Peru, where Megan Chinnery volunteered as a Speech-language Therapist (pp. 6-7). COMMUNICATION MATTERS IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER USING VEGETABLE-BASED INKS 1 FEATURE President’s Report – Linda Burkhart Workshop 2016 Philippa Friary WORDS: JANE WENDELKEN, TEACHER / TRAINER, THE TALKLINK TRUST [email protected] Several of us at the TalkLink Trust were her students use the toys for a purpose and her knowledge of the Pragmatically lucky enough to attend a two-day (move the toy to knock something down, Organised Dynamic Display (PODD) workshop presented by Linda J. Burkhart move the toy to carry something…), AAC system was fantastic. She showed in October this year. What a fantastic but the toys are changed up to create a us many adaptations and variations for KIA ORA KOUTOU, couple of days! Linda has such a wealth moderate difference. Linda showed us using the system with learners with such Spring always proves to be a bit of an unpredictable season, A further highlight for 2016 has to be our successful bid to of knowledge and experience in teaching how she did this: By attaching a Velcroed complex needs. yet not as volatile as it has been recently with the earthquakes be the hosts of the International Association of Logopedics and children with complex communication image or placing a puppet over it. All of us got a lot out of the two days. across the country. Our thoughts and wishes go out to Phoniatrics Conference in 2022. The NZSTA is formally partnering needs. As a teacher, I found it particularly Another gem from day one was the There were so many ‘golden nuggets’ to everyone who has been affected across New Zealand. With the with the New Zealand Audiological Society and Auckland refreshing and exciting to hear from use of the Step-by-Step (Ablenet) multi- take away. One of the best things we did Christchurch earthquakes a very recent memory, I imagine there Tourism, Events and Economic Development to host this grand someone who has practised with such level message devices when working was get together as a team of Teachers, are a lot of unsettled people out there. event. One of our first steps is to select our organising committee. skill as a teacher for so long. on teaching access to two switches. Speech-language Therapists, and Our university programme had students on placement We will be in contact with those who have sent through an On day one, Linda looked at historical Linda talked about the work she had Occupational Therapists the following across the country at this time. While I was busy trying to get in expression of interest to be a part of this event in the new year. perspectives in AAC and linked this with done along with Caroline Musselwhite, week to discuss and share what we all contact with them all, a fellow student commented that they were Well, it is time to look back over 2016 and reflect on a current understandings, with a focus on developing Co-Planned Social Scripts took from the training. There was so all fine as she could see that they had checked in as ‘OK’ using great year. We launched our new-look vision and values, our Autism Spectrum Disorder, Angelman and using these on the devices. This much in there for us all. Facebook. While I marvelled at the simplicity of this software, I new strategic plan, and a new website. There have been many Syndrome, and Rett Syndrome. Having was a revelation for me and something also wondered how our clients with communication difficulties submissions made to Parliament, new professional and clinical an understanding of the complex needs I will use with these learners. Students may cope given potential access issues. As we progress down guidelines, a top class conference and developments made of your particular learners is important. have the opportunity to build their this exciting technological path, is everyone coming with us? Or to our Programme Accreditation Framework. We are nurturing It was great to hear some AAC myths own message by planning with their are the systems we are putting in place to create efficiencies for our relationships nationally and internationally through He Kete busted and the case for best practice communication partner. some creating barriers for others? Whanaugatanga, our Programme Accreditation Committee, made so clearly. Learning language Day two continued with more How accessible is the world to our clients with our work on the Mutual Recognition Committee and the through experience, in natural contexts, practical strategies and resources communication challenges? What part can we play, as experts in International Communication Project’s strategic and working without drilling, and with a focus on core shared. Linda focused a lot on learners this field, in making our environments more accessible to them? groups. With all this great mahi (‘work’), now is the time to press vocabulary is the way to go! with multiple and complex needs These questions are being asked by the strategic group of our pause for a bit—to absorb and replenish, and get ready for A key strategy I took away from day such as cortical visual impairment, national Giving Voice campaign. We will keep you informed on an even greater 2017. On behalf of the membership, I wish to one was using repetition with moderate auditory impairment, and severe motor our progress and how you can all help out. Great thanks to Sally warmly thank everyone who has rolled up their sleeves to help differences. We all know that our students challenges. Again, Linda’s experience Kedge, Ann Smaill, Annette Rotherham, Amy Oughton, and the out in 2016, in particular our Area and Student Representatives, need to hear, see, and try a new skill over many years and with learners with national Giving Voice Champions for their time and energy. the Programme Accreditation Committee and the three multiple times. Making this repetition complex needs became apparent. I More change has happened within our secretariat service university programmes, our Patron Andrew Becroft, and the meaningful and natural will assist in appreciated the combination of research as we have partnered with a new company, ONZL Limited. This Executive Council members: Karen Brewer, Anna Miles, Annette holding their attention and generalising and theory with practical strategies transition has been seamless, with our new team members Rotherham, Jodi White, and Claire Winward. Wherever the the learning. Linda demonstrated this by and resources. Linda’s work over the Linda Burkhart. quickly getting themselves up to speed with our systems and festive break takes you—be well and be fabulous. Mauri ora. using switch-adapted toys. Not only do years with Gayle Porter was evident policies. We welcome Susan Wells and her team to the NZSTA. Philippa 2 COMMUNICATION MATTERS ISSUE 25 3 FEATURE Reflections on the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards 2016 Obituary: the United States where she trained with experts of the day, WORDS: JESSAMY AMM, THE TALKLINK TRUST including Joan Reynell and Catherine Renfrew in Oxford.