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Supporting communication and quality of life
Speech pathologist and positive behaviour support practitioner Stephanie Broadway says she has found her passion for working with clients with disability to help them achieve their goals.
Stephanie holds a dual role of speech pathologist and positive behaviour support practitioner at St John of God Accord and she sees the benefits in supporting clients across both disciplines.
“I’m passionate about working with participants to help them achieve their goals and improve their quality of life,” she says.
“St John of God Accord has a strong focus on developing the skills of our participants in a supportive team culture.
“I enjoy meeting a wide range of people and being able to support them from either a speech pathology or positive behaviour support practitioner role.”
Stephanie says the support she provides to clients varies depending on their needs and goals.
“In therapy we may work on learning how to use alternative ways of communicating (through symbols, photos, key word sign and writing), improving their speech quality and on social or language skills,” she said.
“These are all important skills that help participants to build connections with others, participate in community activities and improve their self-confidence.
“I’ve also been able to incorporate Positive Behaviour Support as a part of my role with various clients.
“Positive Behaviour Support focuses on understanding the behaviour of our participants and working with them to increase their positive behaviours.
“We do this through working with the participant’s support team to make sure their living situation and daily activities are meeting their needs.”
Stephanie says a large part of her role is to help participants understand the world around them by setting up visual schedules and choice boards.
“We engage with clients in skill development which may include emotional regulation tasks, social stories and improvement of their communication abilities,” she says.
“Clients we support often demonstrate behaviours to communicate with others, especially if they are having difficulty expressing themselves using words or symbols.
“I’ve been able to successfully use my skills in teaching communication to support clients to express their thoughts and feelings better, therefore improving their quality of life and interactions with those who support them.”
“I’m passionate about working with participants to help them achieve their goals and improve their quality of life,” she says.
“St John of God Accord has a strong focus on developing the skills of our participants in a supportive team culture.
“I enjoy meeting a wide range of people and being able to support them from either a speech pathology or positive behaviour support practitioner role.”
Stephanie says the support she provides to clients varies depending on their needs and goals.
“In therapy we may work on learning how to use alternative ways of communicating (through symbols, photos, key word sign and writing), improving their speech quality and on social or language skills,” she said.
“These are all important skills that help participants to build connections with others, participate in community activities and improve their self-confidence.
“I’ve also been able to incorporate Positive Behaviour Support as a part of my role with various clients.
“Positive Behaviour Support focuses on understanding the behaviour of our participants and working with them to increase their positive behaviours.
“We do this through working with the participant’s support team to make sure their living situation and daily activities are meeting their needs.”
Stephanie says a large part of her role is to help participants understand the world around them by setting up visual schedules and choice boards.
“We engage with clients in skill development which may include emotional regulation tasks, social stories and improvement of their communication abilities,” she says.
“Clients we support often demonstrate behaviours to communicate with others, especially if they are having difficulty expressing themselves using words or symbols.
“I’ve been able to successfully use my skills in teaching communication to support clients to express their thoughts and feelings better, therefore improving their quality of life and interactions with those who support them.”