Touchstone – Volume 31
Expert Opinion:
We spoke to Deb Burmester, a Senior Speech Pathologist at CPL, about what it
means to live with complex communication needs and what kind of supports are out
there.
What makes people struggle to
communicate verbally?
There are a lot of things that can cause
this. It can be that the muscles used for
developing speech sounds aren’t working
properly or are just weak; or someone
may not have the breath support to
power their speech. There can also be
delays in language ability, which has
an impact on their ability to put words
together.
How can this affect day-to-day life?
It really restricts their participation in
daily living. Communication is required
for interaction and engagement in
all situations, so not being able to
communicate well or at all affects every
activity.
What are some of the biggest
misconceptions about people with
complex communication needs?
One of the most common misconceptions
is if somebody can’t talk, they must not
be able to understand. This is a huge
misunderstanding, as although this may
be the case for some, a lot of people can
hear and understand everything.
What is speech therapy and how can
it help?
We can support all clients whether they
have verbal communication or little to no
verbal communication. Our job is to look
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at what supports we can provide to allow
people to still communicate and have a
voice.
When we’re thinking about supporting
someone with complex communication
needs, there are so many options
out there. People come to a Speech
Pathologist to explore the options. We
look at different types of Augmentative
and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Some of the low-tech options are using
keyword signs, using picture symbols and
photos, and personalised communication
books. Then there’s a whole world of
high-tech options like dedicated speech-
generating devices and mainstream
devices like iPads with apps.
What we bring is our knowledge of all
the options out there, and we try to find
something that works for each individual
person and their family.
What are some specific outcomes that
people can get from speech therapy?
Speech Therapy gives people a voice,
whether it’s verbal or not. We can teach
people to talk, read and write, which gives
them the ability to participate in whatever
is next in life. Depending on age, that
might be school, work or getting involved
in the community. Early intervention is
essential, so we do try to get people
into speech therapy as soon as possible,
which can set them up to participate and
succeed in life.