FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
DISCIPLINE OF SPEECH PATHOLOGY
NEWSLETTER
WHAT’S
HAPPENING
IN THE
DISCIPLINE?
ISSUE NUMBER 11 – MARCH 2013
WELCOME to the first Newsletter of 2013, and to the start of the teaching year. While everyone has been working
away over the past few months to maintain the Discipline’s excellent research and teaching reputation, we’ve also
enjoyed the striking makeover of S Block and the refurbishment of many teaching spaces in the Faculty.
We have been joined by some wonderful international visitors since January; Professor Larry Shriberg and
Associate Professor Edythe Strand were with us in January, and Professor Jan Edwards is with us at the moment.
Thanks to Tricia, Kirrie, Natalie and Elise for arranging these visits, which make an important contribution to the
international profile of the Discipline. I hope you enjoy our newsletter.
OUR PEOPLE
GRANT SUCCESS
Comings and goings
Congratulations to McLeod, Prof Sharynne;
Baker, Dr Elise M; McCormack, Dr Jane M;
Wren, Dr Yvonne E; Roulstone, Prof Sue E. on
their successful ARC grant. Project title: A
sound start: innovative technology to promote
speech and pre-literacy skills in at-risk.
Funding: $284,551. 2013-2015.
Since the end of 2012, we have said
farewell to Geraldine Bricker-Katz and
Carl Sokkar, and have also welcomed
some new staff. It’s exciting to have so
many new and enthusiastic staff members
joining us.
Maree Doble, Greg Flannery, Clare
McCluskey and Andrea Smidt have taken
new or changed roles in the teaching teams.
Farida Pacey has joined the Clinical
Education Team.
Hans Bogaardt will join the teaching team
towards the end of Semester 1.
Dr. Natalie Munro has been awarded a
University of Sydney Brown Fellowship.
The aim of the
Brown Fellowship is
to assist university
researchers whose
career has been
disrupted due to
primary caring
duties, to focus
solely on their
research for a period
of two semesters. The Brown Fellowship is
extremely competitive and Natalie is very
excited and grateful for this opportunity.
Natalie will be relieved from routine teaching
and administrative responsibilities for 2013.
She will focus on her research with
Professor Karla McGregor from the
University of Iowa.
In 2012, Munro / McGregor and colleagues
from their respective labs recruited a large
data set of 300 typically developing
Australian children, 400 US children and
500 Taiwanese children examining their
lexical-semantic development. Plans are
now underway to publish findings from this
cross-linguistic/cross-cultural data and
extend and compare this research to
children with disordered communication
skills for assessment and treatment
applications.
DEIRDRE RUSSELL
AWARD FOR SERVICE
The Discipline’s 2012 annual service
recognition award was presented to
Liverpool Hospital’s Speech Pathology
Department. Congratulations and thank you
for supporting the Discipline and its students.
Dr Cate Madill has received a grant from the
Australian Acoustical Society. She will use the
funding for some new acoustic analysis
software for the Voice Research Laboratory to
be used in the “Acoustic and High-speed
Analysis of Radio Broadcasters” research
project.
Congratulations to Professor Leanne Togher,
Dr Emma Power and Rachael Rietdijk. They
have been awarded the Institute of Safety
Compensation and Recovery Research
Development Grant. The project title is "Using
telehealth to evaluate and develop the
communication support skills of the family
members and carers of people with traumatic
brain injury". Funding: $48,420.00.
ARC Discovery Grant - Congratulations to
Arciuli, Dr Joanne; Ballard, A/Prof Kirrie J;
Vogel, Dr Adam P. Project title: Discovering the
developmental trajectory of lexical stress
production. Funding: $185,000. 2013-2015.
Official Project Summary published by the
ARC: Most English words exhibit lexical stress
whereby some syllables are more strongly
stressed than others. Despite knowing that this
contrastivity is critical for intelligibility, little is
known about its development. We will innovate
the way acoustic analyses are conducted and
use these new methods to analyse contrastivity
in a large group of healthy participants aged 318 years. This normative model will be used to
explore impaired contrastivity in children with
apraxia of speech or autism. Unravelling the
mystery of lexical stress development will
advance our knowledge of the typical speechmotor system, essential for the launch of
computational, behavioural and neuroscientific
research to remediate the inability to achieve
contrastivity.
A/Prof Steven Cumming and Tia Croft, Head of
Dept., Speech Pathology, Liverpool Hospital
STUDENTS’ SUCCESS
Awards & Scholarships
2012 Speech Pathology Australia Student
Awards. Congratulations to:
 Miss Melissa Ian-Ai Miao (Undergraduate Honours)
 Miss Patricia Mary Nicoll (MSLP)
The University Medal will be presented to
the following UG honours students at the
March 2013 Graduation Ceremony:
 Miss Sara Chami
 Miss Qiwen Heng
 Miss Melissa Ian-Ai Miao
 Miss Eleanor Kate Sugden
2013 Douglas & Lola Douglas Scholarship
 Miss Loraye Bejjani (Undergraduate
Honours)
2013 Cerebral Palsy Alliance Professor
Henry J Cowan Memorial Scholarship
 Miss Phillipa Williams (Undergraduate
Pass)
2013 Ageing, Disability and Home Care
Scholarship
 Miss Bernadette Cantrall (MSLP)
Page 1
Page 2
BREAKING SCIENCE
Dr Joanne Arciuli
“Right on all occasions?” – On the feasibility of laterality research
using a smartphone dichotic listening application
A recent Frontiers article co-authored by Dr Joanne Arciuli and
researchers from the University of Bergen (Norway) reported on a
smartphone application to assess dichotic listening. Dr Arciuli
conducted testing of the app in Australia. The article was published
online on Feb 7th 2013 – in the following week the iDichotic app was
downloaded 3442 times. The research was reviewed on multiple news
websites including redOrbit and EurekaAlert. As of 5th March 2013 the
Frontiers article has been viewed 2000 times. Here is the abstract of
the article:
“Most psychological experimentation takes place in laboratories aiming
to maximize experimental control; however, this creates artificial
environments that are not representative of real-life situations. Since
cognitive processes usually take place in noisy environments, they
should also be tested in these contexts. The recent advent of
smartphone technology provides an ideal medium for such testing. In
order to examine the feasibility of mobile devices (MD) in psychological
research in general, and laterality research in particular, we developed
a MD version of the widely used speech laterality test, the consonantvowel dichotic listening (DL) paradigm, for use with iPhones/iPods.
First, we evaluated the retest reliability and concurrent validity of the
DL paradigm in its MD version in two samples tested in controlled,
laboratory settings (Experiment 1). Second, we explored its ecological
validity by collecting data from the general population by means of a
free release of the MD version (iDichotic) to the iTunes App Store
(Experiment 2). The results of Experiment 1 indicated high reliability
(rICC = 0.78) and validity (rICC = 0.76–0.82) of the MD version, which
consistently showed the expected right ear advantage (REA). When
tested in real-life settings (Experiment 2), participants (N = 167) also
showed a significant REA. Importantly, the size of the REA was not
dependent on whether the participants chose to listen to the syllables
in their native language or not. Together, these results establish the
current MD version as a valid and reliable method for administering the
DL paradigm both in experimentally controlled as well as uncontrolled
settings. Furthermore, the present findings support the feasibility of
using smartphones in conducting large-scale field experiments.”
The full paper can be downloaded free of charge here:
www.frontiersin.org/Cognition/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00042/abstract
BREAKING SCIENCE
speechBITE
speechBITE has recently published an article in the International
Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, showing good to
excellent reliability of group comparison paper ratings undertaken by
raters on the speechBITE database. The journal article can be found
online at this link:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12007/abstract
Abstract. Background: speechBITE (www.speechbite.com) is an
online database established in order to help speech andlanguage
therapists gain faster access to relevant research that can used in
clinical decision-making. In addition to containing more than 3000
journal references, the database also provides methodological
ratings on the PEDro-P (an adapted version of the PEDro) scale to
assist clinicians in identifying the scientific quality of randomized
(RCTs) and non-randomized control trials (NRCTs). While reliability
of the PEDro scale has been established by similar allied health
databases, the reliability of the PEDro-P scale has yet to be
reported. Aims: To examine the reliability of PEDro-P scale ratings
undertaken by raters on the speechBITE database and benchmark
these results to the published reliability for the original PEDro scale.
Both the total score (out of ten) as well as each of the 11 scale items
were included in this analysis. Methods & Procedures: speechBITE's
volunteer rater network of 17 members rated the first 100 RCTs and
NRCTs on the website. The criterion and overall scores for these
ratings were compared with previously published reliability studies
using the PEDro scale. Intra-class correlations and per cent
agreement measures were used to establish and benchmark
reliability. Outcomes & Results: The speechBITE PEDro-P ratings
ranged from fair to excellent for both the total score and for each of
the 11 scale items. Furthermore, reliability was equal to that of other
databases. Conclusions & Implications: speechBITE users can be
confident of the reliability of ratings published on the website.
Further analysis of differences between this study and previous
PEDro scale reliability studies are discussed.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
RESEARCH AWARD
Visiting Professor
The Discipline of Speech Pathology is honoured to
have Professor Jan Edwards (right) visiting us this
semester as part of a University of Sydney,
International Collaboration Research Award.
Professor Edwards is an internationally renowned
scholar in the area of child phonology. She is chair of the
department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison and an ASHA fellow.
Dr. Edwards is collaborating with Dr. Natalie Munro and Dr. Elise
Baker on examining the relationship between the memory processes
involved in word learning and children’s phonological knowledge.
Their collaboration will springboard new Australian research into
how word learning relates to phonology so that effective strategies
can be developed for remediating problems associated with
children’s small vocabularies.
Dr. Edwards will be presenting a free lecture for speech pathologists
and students in speech-language pathology on Tuesday 2nd of April
at 2pm, at The Faculty of Health Sciences, Cumberland Campus.
See the advertisement on page 4 of this newsletter, for more details
and how to RSVP.
SASH RECOGNITION - A big THANK YOU to our graduating SASH Committee Members
The Discipline wishes to thank these 4 wonderful students who volunteered to be a part of the Student Association of Speech and Hearing
(SASH) committee during their degree. They gave up valuable time and energy to organise professional training workshops; negotiate
products and services for students at reduced cost; catered for whole-of-campus and end-of-year events; give students a voice at Discipline
meetings. So very, very much appreciated by the Discipline. Below, Dr Cate Madill presents Libby, Sanaa, Angela and Melissa with
certificates and gifts during the 2012 student farewell event in November, 2012………
Elizabeth Duffy
Sanaa Keith
Angela Lowndes
Melissa Miao
Page 3
PG RESEARCH STUDENT PROFILE – Mr Ben Bailey
My clinical career began in 2011 when I accepted a position as a new graduate Speech Pathologist in a busy paediatric
private practice. I was six months in to my clinical career when, as a result of the ‘Helping Children with Autism’ initiative, I
started receiving referrals for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Having little experience in this
area, I reviewed some old lecture notes and sought out books on the topic. I felt that I had a sound understanding of
autism and marched confidently in to my first assessment session with a child diagnosed with ASD. My confidence did not
last long. The characteristics I had read about appeared to be completely understated and I was at an absolute loss as to
how to interact with the child. Needless to say, the session did not go well.
Adamant that I would never again experience a session like the one mentioned above, I began accessing various sources
of professional development and reading as much literature as I could find on ASD. My knowledge and clinical ability
gradually improved with each new session and I started to thoroughly enjoy working with children on the spectrum. Before
too long, I realised that I needed to obtain an extensive knowledge of all aspects of autism, i.e. not just communication development, if I was
going to work effectively with children on the spectrum. So, I continued on reading more or less every piece of ASD research I came across
(regardless if the content was intended for speech pathology, OT or other).
A number of positive clinical experiences led me to become fascinated with the application of computer based literacy programs to the ASD
population. My interest in computer based intervention was perpetuated further by the realisation that literature on the topic was far from
complete. In 2012, I decided that I wanted to contribute to the research base and contacted my ‘to be’ supervisor, Dr. Joanne Arciuli.
Immediately after meeting Jo, I began working on my research proposal and enrolled as a research Masters student.
Today, I am a couple of weeks away from submitting my study, ‘Examining the effects of computer assisted instruction on the literacy skills of
children with Autism Spectrum Disorder’, to ethics. I have found, what I believe to be, a fantastic computer based literacy program to review
and am looking forward to getting data collection underway. We will be looking to recruit participants, i.e. verbally fluent children aged 5-10
years diagnosed with ASD, for the study in the coming months. If you would like any information regarding the study please feel free to contact
me at bbai4795@uni.sydney.edu.au.
In addition to my research, I currently maintain a part-time clinical caseload that consists almost entirely of children diagnosed with ASD. I
could not be happier with my new work-study balance and clinical caseload. At this point I feel that I should say a BIG thankyou to my fantastic
supervisor, Dr. Joanne Arciuli, who continues to play a huge role in getting my study off the ground. I often forget that I am one of a number of
research students that Jo supervises and am amazed that she has the energy and drive to keep up with us all. I very much look forward to
meeting other staff members and students within the discipline, so please stop me and say hello if you see me wandering about.
speechBITE NEWS
NEW! online rating training program
Do you want to know more about critically appraising research
articles?
speechBITE has developed a free online training program for learning
how to apply the PEDro-P rating scale to treatment research in speech
pathology. It can be used by clinicians, researchers or students in
order to learn how to rate the methodological quality of randomised
and non-randomised control trials. Users can also assess their
knowledge at the end of the program.
KEY FEATURES of the program include:






A step-by-step interactive guide to understanding and applying
the scale to research
Key definitions for each of the 11 PEDro-P scale criteria
Practical examples provided for each criterion
A short interactive test using real research articles
Completely free to use
Enter and return as many times as needed
The online training program was officially launched on July 3rd 2012
at the 9th Conference of the Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Special Interest Group of the World Federation for
NeuroRehabilitation (WFNR) in Bergen, Norway. The speechBITE
team hope that it is a useful addition to your EBP resources!
Note: This program is designed as an educational resource and is not
a training program for becoming a rater for
the speechBITE website.
Go to www.speechBITE.com and click
on this button to start using the program…..
HAPPENINGS IN CHILDHOOD APRAXIA
OF SPEECH RESEARCH AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Visiting Academics
The Discipline was delighted to host Professor
Larry Shriberg (University of WisconsinMadison) (right) and Associate Professor Edythe
Strand (The Mayo Clinic) (below right) in early
February. Both are significant researchers in
CAS and were in Sydney to further their collaboration with Dr Tricia
McCabe and Assoc Prof Kirrie Ballard.
Their visit was funded by a University of Sydney
International Development Program Fund (IDPF)
grant specifically to improve international
reporting standards for research on children with
CAS. In addition to this collaborative project,
both visitors presented a research seminar and
met individually with seven post graduate research students in
CAS and other motor speech disorders.
In the latter part of February, Dr Tricia McCabe was a speaker at
the International Conference on Childhood Apraxia of Speech in
Atlanta, USA. This meeting of CAS researchers from around the
world was by invitation and Tricia reported on the work from the
IDPF grant and also some of the work that Elizabeth Murray (PhD
student) has been doing on differential diagnosis of CAS.
We are currently recruiting for three CAS treatment studies for
children aged 4-12. If you would like more information about this
research or would like to refer a child please contact Tricia
tricia.mccabe@sydney.edu.au
DO YOU KNOW A CHILD WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER?
Research Study
We are currently recruiting children with ASD for a longitudinal study. This study aims to describe the speech
development of children with ASD. We are recruiting children between 2-6 years of age.
If you would like more information regarding this study please contact Kate Broome on 0420 757 458,
kbro3198@uni.sydney.edu.au or Tricia McCabe on (02) 9351 9747, tricia.mccabe@sydney.edu.au
Page 4
EXTERNAL CLINICAL EDUCATOR PROFILE
Educational Speech Pathology & Therapy Services (ESP&TS)
ESP&TS consists of 20 speech pathologists
(all Cumberland graduates) and two
occupational therapists. Of our 20 speech
paths we are proud to say that there are 9
clinical educators who are passionate about
providing their roles as Cumberland CEs.
ESP&TS offers student placements for up to
40 students per semester across third, fourth
and GEM students, making it the third
largest clinical education program overall
and the largest school based service in
NSW. The dedicated team from ESP&TS
currently works in over 47 schools in
Sydney, ranging from preschools through to
secondary schools in both mainstream and
special class placements including one SSP
behavioural school
Darwin and the NT…
2013 has seen the establishment of an
ESP&TS school based speech pathologist in
four Darwin schools. It is early days for this
new ‘branch’ of ESP&TS, but the response
from the schools has been overwhelmingly
positive so far. Having a clinician working in
Darwin schools will mean that Speech
Pathology students will receive on-the-ground
supervision during their block placements.
Sue Wilks is also proud to announce a contract
with the Tiwi Islands for a school based and
distance support model!
Principal and teacher study tours…
The inaugural Teacher study to tour to Darwin
in November was very successful, and
ESP&TS is pleased to announce a return
tour in Term 2.
Research …
ESP&TS Speech Pathologist and Clinical
Educator Amy Lovat is currently enrolled in a
Masters under the supervision of Dr Alison
Purcell and Dr Belinda Kenny, examining
literacy and language learning in the Darwin
context. It was
wonderful to
be able to
share our NT
schools with
Alison during
her visit in
2012 including
the single engine flight to the Tiwi Islands!
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you
would like to know more about us; visit our
schools or propose research linked with
ESP&TS!
Sue Wilks speechie@ezylink.net,au
www.educationalspeechpathology.com.au
2012 STUDENT FAREWELL - Goodbye and Good Luck!
The annual farewell party for our completing students was held on Thursday 29th November 2012. Undergraduates (left) and GEMs.
UP-COMING
EVENTS
GRADUATION – Friday 22nd March, 2pm
Undergraduate and MSLP Students from the Discipline of Speech Pathology, will graduate in the Great Hall
Time: From 2.00pm Location: The Great Hall, Quadrangle
More information: http://sydney.edu.au/current_students/student_administration/graduations/index.shtml
FREE SEMINAR by Professor Jan Edwards - Tuesday 2nd April, 2pm to 3.30pm
“How a cross-linguistic study of phonological development can inform clinical practice”. Suitable for qualified speech
pathologists and speech pathology students. WHERE: Faculty of Health Sciences, Cumberland Campus, Lidcombe. For
more details, email speech.info@sydney.edu.au or send your RSVP to Natalie.munro@sydney.edu.au by 27th March.
EARLY STUTTERING INTERVENTION: Speaking Is Living – Wednesday 17th April, 6pm
The Director of the Australian Stuttering Research Centre, Professor Mark Onslow, will speak about early stuttering
intervention and you will hear from guest speakers who have personally experienced the debilitating consequences of the
disorder. See this link for full details and to register…….
http://whatson.sydney.edu.au/events/published/sydney-ideas-early-stuttering-intervention-speaking-is-living
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Faculty of Health Sciences
Discipline of Speech Pathology
PO Box 170, 75 East Street
LIDCOMBE NSW 1825 Australia Phone:
+61 2 9351 9447
Fax: +61 2 9351 9173
Email: speech.info@sydney.edu.au
Produced by the Discipline of Speech
Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences,
The University of Sydney, March 2013.
The University reserves the right to
make alterations to any information
contained within this publication
without notice. CRICOS Provider No.
00026A