Congratulations to Cathie Matthews who submitted her HETI Report last week. Cathie has been enrolled in the Rural Research Capacity Building Program (RRCBP) https://www.heti.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/courses-and-programs/rural-research-capacity-building-program
Her report was titled: Rural health professionals and early childhood education services working together to support 2-year-olds’ communication development in rural New South Wales.
Here is the abstract:
Children with speech and language difficulties are at risk for poorer outcomes in literacy, academic success, social-emotional wellbeing, and employment outcomes. Nearly 20% of children are regarded as late talkers. Early identification and intervention are important to increase the likelihood of children communicating successfully now and in the future. The Early Language Identification Measure-Shortened (ELIM-S) has recently been developed and validated in the United Kingdom to support the earlier identification of those at risk of communication delays. The current mixed methods study sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of use of this early communication tool by caregivers, early childhood staff and speech pathologists with 2-year-old children attending early childhood education centres or child and family health nursing services in one rural city in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD). This feasibility study demonstrated that the Early Communication Measure successfully initiated dialogue around 2-year-old’s communication development between caregivers and staff working in early childhood settings in a rural metropolitan city in NSW. Early educators, child and family health nurses and caregivers found the Early Communication Measure to be feasible and acceptable to monitor 2-year-old children’s communication development. It was found to offer better outcomes and detail for staff compared to standard monitoring practices, with a positive outlook for its future use particularly by caregivers and educators. Furthermore, it promoted early and appropriate referrals for speech pathology assessments. This research will inform interdisciplinary collaborative practices across WNSWLHD for supporting young children’s early communication development. Furthermore, results from this pilot study may inform the development of a validation study of this communication tool in Australia.
Cathie's research also forms part of her Masters research at Charles Sturt University and is a pilot work for our collaboration with the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service.
During her research Cathie has been supported by the following institutions and people:
- Charles Sturt University: Sharynne McLeod, Julian Grant, Libbey Murray
- The University of Sydney School of Rural Health: Georgina Luscombe
- NSW Health Education and Training Institute: Kerith Duncanson
 |
| Congratulations Cathie from your proud supervisors! |
