Aphasiology Symposium of Australasia 2018
The Aphasiology Symposium of Australasia 2018 conference committee are pleased to announce the next ASA conference will be held on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast from 28-29 November, 2018. In the spirit of the superb location, the theme of the conference will be: See Change in Practice. As such, the conference committee welcomes researchers, clinicians and students to present formal and informal research projects.
Registration is free and is open now. Register here! You can view the program here (PDF, 297KB).
It is a great time to plan a vacation to the Sunshine Coast as the ASA will be held straight after the Australian Aphasia Association National Conference on the 26-27 November 2018. There will be an opportunity for ASA presenters to also present an aphasia-friendly abstract at the ASA/AAA ‘crossover’ event. This crossover will occur on the Tuesday afternoon (27 November) before the ASA conference begins. It will be a wonderful gathering, which will offer the opportunity to build connections, share information and engage with people with aphasia and their families.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Kirstine & Linda and the ASA organising committee
Abstract submissions are now closed.
View the program abstracts (PDF, 839KB)
If you would like to submit an Aphasia-Friendly poster to present at the ASA/AAA crossover event, please see these guidelines for an example.
For more information please contact: aphasiologysymposium2018@gmail.com
Please use twitter handle @ASAQLD2018 to promote the conference and tweet throughout the presentations.
Funding and acknowledgements
This conference is supported by The Ian Potter Foundation who have provided funding for our international keynote speakers.
The Ian Potter Foundation is one of Australia’s major philanthropic foundations. The Foundation makes grants nationally to support charitable organisations working to benefit the community across a wide range of sectors including the arts, environment, science, medical research, education and community wellbeing. The Ian Potter Foundation aims to support and promote a healthy, vibrant and fair community for the benefit of all Australians.
This conference is supported by Just Better Care and Wishlist who have provided funding for our conference venue hire and presenter gifts.
Just Better Care Sunshine Coast provides in-home disability support and aged care services, supporting people to live independently at home and within their community. Owned and operated locally, Just Better Care provides affordable and accessible services that meet local and individual requirements.
Wishlist is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fundraising for the needs of the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service and is committed to improving local public health services for the benefit of local families.
Keynote Speakers
Stay tuned for more announcements regarding additional keynote speakers!
Professor Julius Fridriksson
Professor Julius Fridriksson is a speech-language pathologist and world renowned researcher in the field of aphasia. Professor Fridriksson is the founder and Director of the Aphasia Laboratory at the University of South Carolina. His vision for the development of tools to help clinicians better understand and predict patient outcomes may provide patients with long awaited answers about the extent to which their language will recover post-stroke, which may lead to increased motivation and engagement from patients in the therapy setting.
At ASA 2018, Professor Fridriksson will share his ground-breaking research findings about aphasia treatment and recovery patterns.
More information about Professor Fridriksson and his work can be found at: https://web.asph.sc.edu/aphasia/
Professor Cathy Price
Professor Cathy Price is a speech-language pathologist and researcher in the field of aphasia. She is the Director of The Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging in London, which is an interdisciplinary centre for neuroimaging excellence. At the ASA 2018, Professor Price will present her team's research into the prediction of language outcomes in people with aphasia using neuroimaging techniques. Professor Price has a strong history of international collaborations and active public engagement, and will be instrumental in facilitating discussion about the role of neuroimaging in developing our understanding of outcomes in aphasia.
More information about Professor Price and her work can be found at: http://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk
Nina Simmons-Mackie
Nina Simmons-Mackie Ph.D., BC ANCDS is Professor and Scholar in Residence at Southeastern Louisiana University in the USA. She is internationally recognized for contributions in the area of social models of aphasia, person-centered management and aphasia advocacy. Professor Simmons-Mackie contributed to developing Aphasia United and Aphasia Access, and has received the Honors of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders & Sciences and the Louisiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association. At the 2018 ASA she will discuss findings from a recent ‘white paper’ evaluating life consequences of aphasia and gaps in services to address these consequences.
Erin Godecke
Associate Professor Erin Godecke is a Senior Research Fellow at Edith Cowan University and completed her PhD in 2009. She has been a practising speech pathologist for 21 years, working in acute stroke care and rehabilitation. Her research primarily focuses on therapy intensity and therapy type in very early aphasia recovery after stroke and measuring stroke outcomes in healthcare services. Erin is a Chief Investigator on six national and international competitive funded research projects directly involved with improving clinical and service outcomes for people with aphasia. She is the Clinical Director of the largest trial in early aphasia recovery; VERSE, which is investigating the clinical and health-economic effects of very early aphasia rehabilitation. Erin is Chair of Communicate WA, a consumer advocacy organisation for people with aphasia. She is passionate about improving and promoting community participation for people with aphasia and their families and about working with health professionals to develop wholistic methods to improve communication and quality of life outcomes for people with aphasia.
Location
The conference will be held at the Sunshine Coast Health (SCHI) auditorium. The SCHI has a 370 seat auditorium with a beautiful exposed beam ceiling and superior acoustics.
Features:
- adjacent indoor and outdoor spaces suitable for catering and trade displays
- equipped with state of the art audio visual capabilities
- allows users to connect with their own external device for presentations
Getting there
The SCHI facility is part of the Sunshine Coast health campus at Birtinya and is bordered by Doherty Street and Eccles Boulevard. A range of transport infrastructure including a public transport hub, pedestrian and cycle links and parking, provide a range of transport options for travel to the site.
The SCHI has a dedicated entry, end of trip facilities including showers, lockers, toilets and racks that accommodate up to 120 bicycles, as well as a bus stop conveniently located on the eastern side of the Hub building.
For more information about the facilities, and parking and public transport options, please see http://www.schealthinstitute.com.au/about-schi/facilities/#maps and http://www.schealthinstitute.com.au/about-schi/facilities/#car-parking
Accomodation
(Please note: Those interested in staying inNoosa, it is a 48 minute drive from SCUH to Hastings Street, Noosa Heads – 52kms)
- Best Western Plus, Lake Kawana Hotel http://lakekawanahotel.com.au
9 Florey Blvd, Birtinya QLD 4575
4.5 star rating
$119 - $142 per night
Free wifi, free parking, Air/con, lake views, Wildflower restaurant
SCUH – 3 minute walk away
Public transport friendly: Florey Blvd at Prosperity Dve (2 min walk) or SCUH platforms 1 and 2 (2min walk)
- Portobello by the Sea http://portobellobythesea.com.au
6 Beerburrum St, Dicky Beach (Caloundra) QLD 4551
4 star rating
$213 - $240 per night
PAYG wifi, free parking, air/con
SCUH – 10 minute drive (6.4kms)
Public transport friendly (Bus nos. 607)
- Surfside on the Beach holiday apartments http://surfsideonthebeach.net.au
Lowanna Dve, Buddina QLD 4575
4 star rating
Late booking - $230
SCUH – 9 minute drive (5.6kms)
Public transport friendly (Bus nos. 607 or 611)
- Caloundra Central Apartment Hotel http://caloundracentral.com.au
36 Browning Blvd, Battery Hill (Caloundra) QLD 4551
4 star rating
$128 per night
Free wifi, free parking, air/con
SCUH – 11 minute drive (5.6kms)
Public transport OK (12 min walk + bus 607)
- Ocean Views Resort http://www.oceanviewsresort.com.au
Cnr. Bulcock & Centaur Street, Caloundra QLD 4551
4 star rating (60 units available)
Prices start at $120 per night
Free wifi, undercover parking available
SCUH - 15 minute drive (9.2kms)
Public transport OK (10 minute walk to Caloundra Bus Station + 24 min bus 607)
- Mantra Mooloolaba Beach Resort http://www.mantra.com.au/queensland/sunshine-coast/
7 Venning Street, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
4 star rating
$280 per night (room sleeps 3)
fees wifi, free undercover parking, air/con, pool-spa-sauna-gym
SCUH – 16 minute drive (9.5kms)
Public transport friendly (4 min walk + bus 611)
- River Esplanade Motel http://www.riveresplanade.com.au
98 River Esplanade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
4 star rating
$280 per night (room sleeps 3)
Wifi, free parking, shared kitchen space, air/con
SCUH – 15 minute drive (9.1kms)
Public transport friendly (3 min walk + bus 611)
Public Transport to SCUH:
https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/sunshine-coast-university-hospital
From the north: bus routes 600+611, 607 (about every 30mins)
From the south: bus routes 607 (leaves from Caloundra Station), 600+611
Conference dinner
A conference dinner will take place on Wednesday the 28th of November at the Wildflower Restaurant, Best Western Hotel, Lake Kawana (https://lakekawanahotel.com.au/dining). Further information about this dinner, including the cost, will be emailed to registrants in September.
Dining Options
- Wild Flower (located at Best Western Plus Hotel)
9 Florey Blvd, Birtinya QLD 4575
4min walk from SCUH
Function catering – up to 30 seated (more may be negotiated)
Entrées - $15 - $25 | Mains - $30 - $41 | Sides - $8
- Brightwater Hotel
15 Freshwater Street, Mountain Creek QLD 4557
9 min drive from SCUH or courtesy bus available
Function catering – up to 110 seated
Entrée - $10 | Mains - $28 - $34 | Sides - $9
- Parklands Tavern
238 Parklands Blvd, Meridan Plains QLD 4551
8 min drive from SCUH or courtesy bus available
Function catering – up to 50 seated
Entrée - $10 | Mains - $28 - $34 | Sides - $9
S.D.O.S.E. (Symposium Delegates Opting for Social Engagement)
- Australia Zoo
Normal ticket price - $59 per adult (Group discounts are available – if travelling together)
Or…
Day trip with Croc Tours from the Sunshine Coast will provide 5 hours at Australia Zoo and a visit to the Glass House Mountains lookout.
Adult - $145 Inc. Hotel pick up and drop off, return transfer, admission to zoo
- Sunshine Coast Hinterland day trip – Montville/Maleny
Dulong Lookout: Stunning views of the Sunshine Coast from Caloundra to Noosa.
Flaxton Barn: Enjoy your morning tea overlooking the gardens (at your expense).
Montville Village: Browse through galleries, gift, craft ,specialty shops and enjoy fine foods (lunch own expense).
Maleny Township: Discover the magic of this unique rural Queensland community. Try local cheeses and ice cream.
Mary Cairncross Park: Panoramic views of the Glasshouse mountains & stroll through wildlife rich rainforest.
Aussie World Pub: Conclude your Sunshine Coast Hinterland Day Tour with a cold beer and a little Australiana! Adult - $69
- Noosa day trip
Door to door service with Noosa Hinterland tours
Price will depend on how many go, and where you decide to visit.
Committee Members
Conference co-chairs
Kirstine Shrubsole
Ms Kirstine Shrubsole is a lecturer in speech pathology at Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Campus. She is a speech pathologist with a specific clinical and research focus on aphasia and the implementation of effective behaviour change techniques in speech pathology practice. Kirstine has recently completed her PhD at The University of Queensland, which focussed on implementing clinical practice guidelines in order to close the evidence-practice gaps in aphasia management. Her doctoral research used methodologies based on implementation science. Her pilot data showed that a tailored, theoretical approach to delivering implementation interventions is feasible, acceptable and potentially effective in improving speech pathologists’ aphasia management practices.
Linda Worrall
Professor Linda Worrall has been a Co-Director of the Communication Disability Centre since 1997. She has applied the WHO ICF to research in a range of disabilities, but has a particular interest in aphasia rehabilitation and has led the NHMRC funded Australia-wide Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) in Aphasia Rehabilitation since 2009.
Registration Committee
Annie Hill
Dr Annie Hill is a world leader in aphasia telerehabilitation. She was awarded her PhD, the first in telerehabilitation in speech pathology, in 2008. Her pioneering research in synchronous telerehabilitation led to a research consultancy position with the Scottish Centre for Telehealth. Since returning to the University of Queensland in 2010, Annie has spearheaded a program of research into the use of asynchronous telerehabilitation in speech pathology. Currently Annie holds a postdoctoral research position with the Centre for Research Excellence in Telehealth.
Emma Finch
Dr Emma Finch is a Speech Pathology Conjoint Research Fellow between The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Queensland and the Speech Pathology Department at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Emma's primary research interest is in the identification and rehabilitation of communication disorders in acquired brain injury, specifically aphasia after stroke.
Leela Pendse Shaw
Leela is completing her Masters of Speech Pathology Studies at the University of Queensland (2016-2018). During her undergraduate Psychology degree, she became interested in language development and recovery. She presented her research on developmental word learning at the Canadian speech pathology conference in 2016. Attending conference sessions and observing the diverse contributions of speech pathology confirmed her interest in the field. Leela enjoyed working with clients with acquired language disorders during hospital and community rehabilitation placements. She looks forward to applying research findings from this conference to support future clients with aphasia and their families.
Program Committee
David Copland
Professor David Copland is a Principal Research Fellow and Speech Pathologist conducting research in the areas of language neuroscience, psycholinguistics, and neuroimaging of normal and disordered language. He is Deputy Chair of the Research and Postgraduate Studies Committee of the UQ School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and is a group leader at the UQ Centre for Clinical Research where he leads the Language Neuroscience Laboratory.
Marie-Pier McSween
Marie is a Speech Pathologist and PhD candidate at The University of Queensland. Prior to her PhD studies, Marie completed a Bachelor and a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology at the University of Montreal and worked in acute care as a research assistant. She is currently conducting research in the areas of ageing, exercise and language neuroscience. Marie’s research interests lie in understanding the acute effects of exercise on new word learning in a population of healthy older adults and to develop new approaches to optimise interventions with patients presenting with language impairments following an acquired brain injury (e.g. stroke).
Sarah Wallace
Sarah is a lecturer in speech pathology and a certified practising speech pathologist. She has 15 years of experience working as a clinician, public servant, and researcher in public health, federal government, and university sectors. Sarah has expertise in the area of outcome measurement, developed throughout her doctoral research project to develop a core outcome set for aphasia treatment research. Sarah's research has an international focus and she is a founding member of Aphasia United, an international peak body for aphasia organisations.
Charlotte Hood
Davina Lo
Davina is currently completing a bachelor degree in Speech Pathology. Having been introduced to aphasia during her studies, she has developed an interest in providing care in acute settings and working with patients affected by stroke. Through participation in the committee, Davina hopes to broaden her horizons while further exploring her interests in aphasia and acute care.
Jasmine Ting
Jasmine is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree at The University of Queensland. Her interest in this field began in 2015, when she observed a Speech Pathologist assist her grandfather following a cerebrovascular accident. She later volunteered for an observership at a local hospital in Brunei Darussalam to understand more about the role of Speech Pathologists in managing patients in the acute stroke unit, and the therapies involved in maximising communication and swallowing function. Inspired by this experience, she decided to pursue her own career in Speech Pathology, hoping to eventually specialise in stroke rehabilitation.
Lucie Lanyon
Lucie is a speech pathologist and researcher who has worked predominantly in the sub-acute and community sector in the areas of acquired brain injury and progressive neurological diseases.
Lucie's research and clinical interests lie in the long-term management of post-stroke aphasia and adult acquired and progressive disability.
Lucie's doctoral thesis, completed through La Trobe University in Melbourne, examined aphasia group participation with a focus on developing policy and clinical recommendations to improve future implementation. Lucie is co-founder of the online resource Aphasia Community and the Aphasia Community national group registry with her colleagues Dr Michelle Attard and Professor Miranda Rose.
Caroline Baker
Caroline is a speech pathology PhD student supervised by Prof Linda Worrall, Prof Miranda Rose and Dr Brooke Ryan through the University of Queensland. Her research project is investigating the evidence-practice gap in translating a stepped psychological care framework for depression after post-stroke aphasia. Caroline currently works at Monash Health in Melbourne, and has 17 years of clinical experience in various speech pathology roles in health networks of Victoria and in the U.K. Her areas of research and clinical interest are aphasia and mental health, acquired communication disability, clinical education, mentoring and qualitative methods.
Marketing Committee
Brooke Ryan
Brooke is an academic staff member of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Queensland. Her ultimate aim is to reduce the psychological distress associated with aphasia so her research interests span the spectrum of the identification and treatment of anxiety and depression following aphasia. She is a developer of the Aphasia ASK program, a novel brief and early intervention aimed at preventing depression post-stroke. She is now trial manager of the ASK study, one of Australia’s largest aphasia related randomised controlled trials (n=344).
Abby Foster
Abby is a Victorian speech pathologist who has spent her career working with stroke survivors. She completed her doctoral studies in 2016 through The University of Queensland. Her research and clinical interests lie in the acute management of post-stroke aphasia, the lived experience of acquired communication disability, and the intersection between speech pathology and social justice. She is passionate about supporting clinicians to engage with and implement evidence-based practice. Abby currently works as the manager of speech pathology, and research and clinical lead for speech pathology, at Victoria’s largest health network, Monash Health.
Rachelle Pitt
Rachelle has recently completed a PhD exploring the feasibility and outcomes of speech-language therapy for people with aphasia via telerehabilitation. She is passionate about exploring ways to use technology to increase communication opportunities, support communication and improve access to services for people with aphasia. Rachelle also has research interests in other applications of telepractice to speech-language pathology particularly clinical education and the support of new graduate clinicians and also post-stroke management. Rachelle has a strong clinical background in the management of acquired communication and swallowing disorders across the continuum of care with a love for clinical education.
Felicity Bright
Kaitlyn Kerr
Kaitlyn is a 4th year Speech Pathology student at the University of Queensland. She has a special interest in the area of aphasia, particularly with the psychosocial wellbeing of people with aphasia and their families/ carers. She currently works as a support group facilitator for people in the Wynnum/Manly area with aphasia and their family and carers. She also works as a research assistant at the Griffith Conservatorium of Music. Through this, she is involved in an aphasia choir research program. The research aims to investigate whether a community choir can reduce social isolation and communication difficulties, as well as improving mood, confidence and motivation in people with aphasia.
Lizzie Porter
Social Committee
Robyn Saxon
Meg Perry
Fran Cochrane
Frances is a Lecturer in Speech Pathology at James Cook University primarily in the areas of acquired speech and language disorders. Frances has also spent several years working for QLD Health as well as private speech pathology services in residential aged care facilities. She is currently undertaking her PhD focused on speech pathology services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with acquired neurogenic communication disorders. Frances received a Speech Pathology Australia New Researcher Grant to assist with her PhD research.
Emily Bradshaw
Grace Reid
Sophia Jensen
ASA/AAA Crossover Committee
Sarah Lock
Sarah has been working as a speech and language therapist with people with aphasia for over 20 years. She currently works at Eden Rehabilitation Hospital in Cooroy, Queensland and in her private practice on the Sunshine Coast. Before moving to Australia in 2005, Sarah completed her PhD at University College London, which explored the psychosocial experiences of partners of people with aphasia and the design and evaluation of support and conversation training programs for partnerships living with aphasia.
Georgia Taifalos
Pooja Gandhi
Pooja Gandhi is a 2nd year Masters of Speech Pathology student at The University of Queensland and holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from McMaster University in Canada. As the Student Representative for Speech Pathology Australia, she has represented UQ at national-level conferences and coordinated initiatives to encourage student engagement. Pooja has also represented her program in a UQ-affiliated video documenting the university’s innovative Dysphagia Simulation Clinic. She has a keen interest in evidence synthesis work, which combines existing knowledge about speech and language disorders with primary research that explores treatment strategies in different populations. Her passion has led her to run an inpatient Aphasia transition group, helping patients to build confidence in communication and conversation.
AV Committee
Caitlin Brandenburg
Student Volunteer Committee
Sarah Wallace
Fran Cochrane
Val Adams
I completed a four-year Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree graduating with Honours in 2008 at The University of Newcastle. My doctoral thesis was accepted in March 2014 which investigated the “Reliability of the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument: Measuring tongue and handgrip strength and endurance in young and elderly adults”. I am currently working as a clinician on a research trial through the University of Queensland entitled Aphasia LIFT (Language and Impairment Functional Therapy) investigating intensive speech therapy versus usual care in people following a stroke. I am eligible to use the title Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) and am a full member of Speech Pathology Association of Australia (SPAA).
Keiran Broome
Program and Dates
Date: 28-29 November, 2018
Venue: Sunshine Coast Health (SCHI) auditorium