Last week, we celebrated Speech Pathology Week in Australia, a time dedicated to celebrating the diverse ways that people communicate and recognise the crucial role speech pathologists play in empowering the lives of people with communication support needs.
Whether it’s spoken, signed, digital or written communication, speech pathologists across Australia work exceptionally to help people express themselves and connect with the world around them.
At LiveBig, we recognise the incredible impact our speech pathologists have and deeply appreciate their dedication and passion. To honour their contributions, we are shining the spotlight on one of our pathologists, John Russell, who brings his expertise and friendly nature to every participant he serves.
Arriving at the LiveBig head office, John begins his day reviewing his schedule, which is filled with a diverse group of participants with different communication support needs.
John enjoys travelling to different settings including, homes, schools and disability centres to best support participants in achieving goals that are meaningful to them. This time in the morning allows John to plan his day and tailor his approach to meet the specific needs and preferences of each participant under his care.
As the morning progresses, John makes his way to his first appointment where he will work together with his participant to achieve set goals and develop their overall communication skills.
Depending on the participant’s needs, John may incorporate a variety of therapeutic techniques and different exercises to improve pronunciation, spelling or reading to build confidence in communication.
Later in the day, John will visit participants with other needs where he might employ augmentative and alternative communication tools (AAC) to support individuals whose speech is not reliable or available. This might include a combination of picture boards or speech generating devices to support their ability to express themselves.
John integrates fun, engaging activities aimed at the participant’s interests, ensuring their sessions are not only productive but also enjoyable.
When reflecting on his journey into speech pathology, John explains “I have always had an interest in language and wanted to work in an industry where I was able to make a difference in people’s lives.” For John, each day is an opportunity to empower individuals to find their voices and feel supported every step of the way.
In between sessions, John spends his time preparing individualised therapy plans, writing reports or preparing other NDIS documents.
He also spends time communicating with parents of his participants and sharing helpful insights with support coordinators.
At LiveBig, we are proud of dedicated pathologists like John who continue to empower people through communication and inspire those around them to express themselves in their own way.
This Speech Pathology Week, we celebrate John and all our dedicated speech pathologists who make a difference in people’s lives every day and are an invaluable member of the team.
To find out more about our team of speech pathologists who take a holistic and collaborative approach to working with you, contact us today.
If you are interested in a career with LiveBig, view our careers page.
