Published on: 12th August 2025
Speech Pathology Week shines a light on the important, life-changing work of Speech Language Pathologists (SLP)!
This year Speech Pathology Week runs from Sunday, 24 August to Saturday, 30 August. The theme, ‘Impact Through Communication’, highlights the different ways speech pathology can support and strengthen communication across our community.
To celebrate this week, we spoke to our talented Deaf Connect Speech Pathology team about their experiences working with the Deaf and hard of hearing community and their advice for those who want to see an SLP.
Celebrating SLPs this Speech Pathology Week
Speech Pathology Week simply wouldn’t happen without the Speech Pathology team at Deaf Connect!
SLPs are much more than speech experts. They work with clients across their entire lifespan and cater to a range of abilities, needs, backgrounds and lifestyles.
Whether it’s helping a child form their first words or signs, or supporting an adult to be more active and confident in their everyday life, an SLP can help!
Our SLPs shared some of their most rewarding experiences with their clients:
“When I saw one of my adult clients who had previously been socially isolated at a local deaf event, they were laughing, joking, and enjoying life. Days like that make me love what I do. Connection to others and feeling like you belong is so important.”
“When a child uses a new word or sign for the first time on their own to communicate a need or express themselves. I have worked as an SLP for five years and it is an incredibly rewarding career.”
Find out more about Deaf Connect Speech Pathology.
Speech Pathology for the Deaf and hard of hearing
We asked our Deaf Connect SLPs what speech pathology might look like for Deaf people and here’s what they had to say:
“Whatever their family would like it to look like! We are a family-centered practice and will support families by providing our clinical expertise.”
“We typically have a bilingual, bicultural approach that is decided by the family and the individual’s needs.”
Deaf Connect SLPs specialise in speech, language, listening, reading, writing and communication skills, among others, for the Deaf and hard of hearing community. They have a deep understanding of Deafness and its impact on development and communication and will always work with the client to find the best approach for them!
Learn more and get in touch with our team today.
How to know if you or your child should see a speech pathologist
Our SLPs recommend you see a speech pathologist if:
- you are noticing any communication or swallowing difficulties
- you have any concerns about your child’s speech, listening or communication skills
- their communication seems to be developing differently to those around them
- you are unsure and want to gather more information for your child’s development
“The first 3 years are so important for brain development, ensuring access to language (Auslan, English, AAC, or a combination) is essential.”
Speech Pathology misconceptions
“Many people think that speech pathologists just ‘fix speech’. We cover a wide scope of practice including speech, language, voice, fluency, social communication, swallowing and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC),” says Deaf Connect SLP Team Lead.
SLPs are often seen as only working within speech and articulation and only offering these services to children. However, an SLP works in a much wider scope of practice than just speech and communication, and they often work with adolescents and adult clients, not just young children!
Deaf Connect offers SLP services to Deaf and hard of hearing adults in Townsville, QLD with select outreach services.
