General News
26 August, 2025
Speech pathology celebrated
Helping Australians of all ages communicate, connect, and participate fully in life the essential work of speech pathologists will be recognised this week.
Speech Pathology Week, from August 24 to 30, promotes the profession and the wide ranging support speech pathologists offer to Australians of all ages.
From supporting young children learning to speak, to helping adults recover their communication skills after an injury, and assisting older people to eat and drink safely the work of speech pathologists is wide ranging.
This year’s theme, “impact through communication”, emp-hasises the importance of communi-cation as a basic human right.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2015, there were 1.2 million Australians with a communication disability ranging from those who used a com-munication aid to those who cannot understand or be understood at all.
The theme, MDHS speech pathologist Darcy Lowe explained, highlights that everyone deserves a way to express themselves.
“Communication is essential to relationships, safety, learning and independence. When someone can be heard and understood, it changes their whole life,” they said.
As allied health professionals trained in communication, language, and swallowing their work is incredibly varied which MDHS speech pathologist Meagan O’Halloran explained.
“Over the years I’ve supported children to find their voice, and I’ve also worked with families, educators and allied health teams to build environments where communication is supported,” she said.
“It’s the relationships that really make the work meaningful.”
Among that work MDHS speech pathologist Gillian Yeo found many people don’t realise speech path-ologists support safe eating and drinking.
“Swallowing difficulties are common in aged care and post-stroke recovery,” they said.
“We help people eat and drink safely to improve their quality of life. From modified food and fluids to swallowing strategies and educ-ation, we're here to support individuals and their families.”
MDHS’ speech pathology team, as speech pathologist Caitlin Verlinden explained, encourages the com-munity to learn how to support people with communication and swallowing needs.
“Even small changes can make a big difference,” she said.
“Remembering to slow down and use short, clear sentences can make a big difference for someone with a language difficulty.”
For more information or to make an appointment with the MDHS speech pathology team visit mdhs.vic.gov.au/allied-health/ to submit a self-referral form.