In this episode, Professor Bronwyn Hemsley and her guests explore the complex world of mealtimes on mental health wards, including the perspectives of people with mental health conditions who experience difficulty swallowing.

Mealtimes in hospital are important for gaining access to nutrition and drinks, and should provide opportunities for enjoyment and recovery. But being on a busy mental health ward in hospital can impact on the way a consumer experiences their meals.

Discover how small changes can make mealtimes safer, calmer, and more enjoyable for people with dysphagia on mental health wards.

Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Disability Access and Inclusion Fund for supporting co-production of this episode.

Resources:

Guthrie, S., J.Baker, J.Cahill, and B.Hemsley. 2026. “Patient Perspectives on Inpatient Mealtimes: Insights on Swallowing, Mental Wellbeing and Recovery.” International Journal of Mental Health Nursing35, no. 1: e70212. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.70212.

Dr Susan Guthrie’s Doctoral Research Thesis ‘The mealtime experiences of adults with mental illness living on inpatient wards’ - https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/35418/

Me At Mealtimes video on Dr Susan Guthrie’s PhD research - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIg2SLHk7vY

Speech Pathology Australia – (go to ‘Find a Speech Pathologist’) - https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

 

Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley

Guests: Kate Starr (Research Assistant at the University of Technolgoy Sydney, Consumer) and Dr Susan Guthrie (Principal Speech and Language therapist for Leeds and York Partnership Trust, and Honorary Research Fellow at School of Healthcare, University of Leeds)

Producer: Ali Aitken

In this episode, Professor Bronwyn Hemsley and her guests explore the complex world of mealtimes on mental health wards, including the perspectives of people with mental health conditions who experience difficulty swallowing.
Mealtimes in hospital are important for gaining access to nutrition and drinks, and should provide opportunities for enjoyment and recovery. But being on a busy mental health ward in hospital can impact on the way a consumer experiences their meals.
Discover how small changes can make mealtimes safer, calmer, and more enjoyable for people with dysphagia on mental health wards.
Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Disability Access and Inclusion Fund for supporting co-production of this episode.
Resources:
Guthrie,&nbsp;S.,&nbsp;J.Baker,&nbsp;J.Cahill, and&nbsp;B.Hemsley. 2026. &ldquo;Patient Perspectives on Inpatient Mealtimes: Insights on Swallowing, Mental Wellbeing and Recovery.&rdquo; International Journal of Mental Health Nursing35, no. 1: e70212.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.70212">https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.70212</a>.
Dr Susan Guthrie&rsquo;s Doctoral Research Thesis &lsquo;The mealtime experiences of adults with mental illness living on inpatient wards&rsquo; - <a href="https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/35418/">https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/35418/</a>
Me At Mealtimes video on Dr Susan Guthrie&rsquo;s PhD research -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIg2SLHk7vY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIg2SLHk7vY</a>
Speech Pathology Australia &ndash; (go to &lsquo;Find a Speech Pathologist&rsquo;) - https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
&nbsp;
Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley
Guests: Kate Starr (Research Assistant at the University of Technolgoy Sydney, Consumer) and Dr Susan Guthrie (Principal Speech and Language therapist for Leeds and York Partnership Trust, and Honorary Research Fellow at School of Healthcare, University of Leeds)
Producer: Ali Aitken

“A sense of harmony and peace”: Mealtime safety and enjoyment on mental health wards

Choking on food and aspiration pneumonia are two of the leading causes of death for people with disability and older people in residential settings. These tragic deaths can be prevented with proper care and attention to every person’s swallowing and mealtime needs – whether that be through assessment by a speech pathologist, a clear and helpful mealtime plan, effective mealtime supervision, or attention to the person’s positioning during and after meals.

In this episode Professor Bronwyn Hemsley and her guests with lived experiences of swallowing difficulty and choking on food, or investigating deaths due to choking on food, discuss the many angles of choking on food that demand greater and urgent attention.

Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Seed Grant fund supporting co-production of this episode.

Resources:

Safer Care Victoria (2026) GUIDANCE – Communicating Safe Eating and Drinking (Victoria State Government, Australia) - https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%20-%20Communicating%20safe%20eating%20and%20drinking%20-%20Accessible.docx

 

Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley

Guests: Fiona Given (Person with lived experience of dysphagia, coughing on food), Meredith Allan (Person with lived experience of dysphagia, food choking, and changes in swallowing across the lifespan), and Adjunct Professor Dr Jeffrey Chan

Producer: Ali Aitken

Choking on food and aspiration pneumonia are two of the leading causes of death for people with disability and older people in residential settings. These tragic deaths can be prevented with proper care and attention to every person&rsquo;s swallowing and mealtime needs &ndash; whether that be through assessment by a speech pathologist, a clear and helpful mealtime plan, effective mealtime supervision, or attention to the person&rsquo;s positioning during and after meals.
In this episode Professor Bronwyn Hemsley and her guests with lived experiences of swallowing difficulty and choking on food, or investigating deaths due to choking on food, discuss the many angles of choking on food that demand greater and urgent attention.
Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Seed Grant fund supporting co-production of this episode.
Resources:
Safer Care Victoria (2026) GUIDANCE &ndash; Communicating Safe Eating and Drinking (Victoria State Government, Australia) - <a href="https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%25252520-%25252520Communicating%25252520safe%25252520eating%25252520and%25252520drinking%25252520-%25252520Accessible.docx">https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%20-%20Communicating%20safe%20eating%20and%20drinking%20-%20Accessible.docx</a>
&nbsp;
Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley
Guests: Fiona Given (Person with lived experience of dysphagia, coughing on food),&nbsp;Meredith Allan (Person with lived experience of dysphagia, food choking, and changes in swallowing across the lifespan),&nbsp;and Adjunct Professor Dr Jeffrey Chan
Producer: Ali Aitken

“I managed to save myself”: Experiences of choking on food must inform prevention strategies

In this three-part series within ‘What’s got us talking…’, researcher and person with swallowing disability Fiona Given helps us to understand the many factors affecting a person with difficulty swallowing. Across the three episodes, Fiona brings together the perspectives of people with lived experience of swallowing difficulty, their supporters, and health professionals.

In this episode, Fiona and her guests focus on lived experience of swallowing disability across the lifespan - how swallowing changes over time, how it affects independence and identity, and what it takes to stay safe while still staying part of the social world of food. Gain insight into the issues that matter when co‑designing safe and enjoyable meals for people with swallowing disability.

Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Disability Access and Inclusion Fund for supporting co-production of this series.

Resources:

Hemsley, B., Almond, B., Given, F., Darcy, S., L’Espoir Decosta, P., Dann, S., … Balandin, S. (2024). Craving inclusion: a systematic review on the experiences and needs of people with disability eating out. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46(22), 5183–5198. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2295006

International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative - https://www.iddsi.org/home

National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality & Safeguards Commission (2020) Practice Alert Dysphagia, safe swallowing, and mealtime management - https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/practice-alert-dysphagia-safe-swallowing-and-mealtime-management.pdf

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Worker training modules (go to ‘Supporting Safe and Enjoyable Meals’ module) - https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workforce/online-training-modules

Speech Pathology Australia, fact sheet, Swallowing difficulty - https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Public/Comm-swallow/Swallowing.aspx

Safer Care Victoria (2026) GUIDANCE – Communicating Safe Eating and Drinking (Victoria State Government, Australia) - https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%20-%20Communicating%20safe%20eating%20and%20drinking%20-%20Accessible.docx

 

Host: Fiona Given

Guests: Meredith Allan (Person with lived experience of dysphagia, food choking, and changes in swallowing across the lifespan), Adjunct Professor Dr Jeffrey Chan, and Professor Bronwyn Hemsley

Producer: Ali Aitken

Assistant Producers: Bronwyn Hemsley, Fiona Given

In this three-part series within &lsquo;What&rsquo;s got us talking&hellip;&rsquo;, researcher and person with swallowing disability Fiona Given helps us to understand the many factors affecting a person with difficulty swallowing. Across the three episodes, Fiona brings together the perspectives of people with lived experience of swallowing difficulty, their supporters, and health professionals.
In this episode, Fiona and her guests focus on lived experience of swallowing disability across the lifespan - how swallowing changes over time, how it affects independence and identity, and what it takes to stay safe while still staying part of the social world of food. Gain insight into the issues that matter when co‑designing safe and enjoyable meals for people with swallowing disability.
Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Disability Access and Inclusion Fund for supporting co-production of this series.
Resources:
Hemsley, B., Almond, B., Given, F., Darcy, S., L&rsquo;Espoir Decosta, P., Dann, S., &hellip; Balandin, S. (2024). Craving inclusion: a systematic review on the experiences and needs of people with disability eating out. Disability and Rehabilitation,&nbsp;46(22), 5183&ndash;5198. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2295006
International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative - <a href="https://www.iddsi.org/home">https://www.iddsi.org/home</a>
National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality &amp; Safeguards Commission (2020) Practice Alert Dysphagia, safe swallowing, and mealtime management - <a href="https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/practice-alert-dysphagia-safe-swallowing-and-mealtime-management.pdf">https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/practice-alert-dysphagia-safe-swallowing-and-mealtime-management.pdf</a>
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Worker training modules (go to &lsquo;Supporting Safe and Enjoyable Meals&rsquo; module) - <a href="https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workforce/online-training-modules">https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workforce/online-training-modules</a>
Speech Pathology Australia, fact sheet, Swallowing difficulty - <a href="https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Public/Comm-swallow/Swallowing.aspx">https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Public/Comm-swallow/Swallowing.aspx</a>
Safer Care Victoria (2026) GUIDANCE &ndash; Communicating Safe Eating and Drinking (Victoria State Government, Australia) - <a href="https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%252520-%252520Communicating%252520safe%252520eating%252520and%252520drinking%252520-%252520Accessible.docx">https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%20-%20Communicating%20safe%20eating%20and%20drinking%20-%20Accessible.docx</a>
&nbsp;
Host: Fiona Given
Guests: Meredith Allan (Person with lived experience of dysphagia, food choking, and changes in swallowing across the lifespan), Adjunct Professor Dr Jeffrey Chan, and Professor Bronwyn Hemsley
Producer: Ali Aitken
Assistant Producers: Bronwyn Hemsley, Fiona Given

“Mealtimes can change for anyone at any time”: Mealtime decisions for people with swallowing disability

In this three-part series within ‘What’s got us talking…’, researcher and person with swallowing disability Fiona Given helps us to understand the many factors affecting a person  with difficulty swallowing. Across the three episodes, Fiona brings together the perspectives of people with lived experience of swallowing difficulty, their supporters, and health professionals.

In this episode, Fiona and her guests talk about supporting safe and enjoyable meals. What can make them risky? What can improve safety? And how can teams, families, workers make good mealtime decisions for and with the people they support, that also prevent choking on food. Discover the considerations that can transform co‑designed meals into safe and enjoyable experiences for people with swallowing disability.

Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Disability Access and Inclusion Fund for supporting co-production of this series.

Resources:

International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative https://www.iddsi.org/home

Melba Support Services (Dr Anneke Jurgens) https://www.melbasupport.com.au/

National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality & Safeguards Commission (2020) Practice Alert Dysphagia, safe swallowing, and mealtime management - https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/practice-alert-dysphagia-safe-swallowing-and-mealtime-management.pdf

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Worker training modules (go to ‘Supporting Safe and Enjoyable Meals’ module) - https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workforce/online-training-modules

Safer Care Victoria (2026) GUIDANCE - Communicating Safe Eating and Drinking (Victoria State Government, Australia) - https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%20-%20Communicating%20safe%20eating%20and%20drinking%20-%20Accessible.docx

 

Host: Fiona Given

Guests: Stacey Baldac (Speech Pathology Australia), Dr Anneke Jurgens (Melba Support Services), Associate Professor Deborah Debono (The University of Technology Sydney), and David Unwin (a person with lived experience of dysphagia)

Producer: Ali Aitken

Assistant Producer: Bronwyn Hemsley

In this three-part series within &lsquo;What&rsquo;s got us talking&hellip;&rsquo;, researcher and person with swallowing disability Fiona Given helps us to understand the many factors affecting a person&nbsp; with difficulty swallowing. Across the three episodes, Fiona brings together the perspectives of people with lived experience of swallowing difficulty, their supporters, and health professionals.
In this episode, Fiona and her guests talk about supporting safe and enjoyable meals. What can make them risky? What can improve safety? And how can teams, families, workers make good mealtime decisions for and with the people they support, that also prevent choking on food. Discover the considerations that can transform co‑designed meals into safe and enjoyable experiences for people with swallowing disability.
Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Disability Access and Inclusion Fund for supporting co-production of this series.
Resources:
International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative <a href="https://www.iddsi.org/home">https://www.iddsi.org/home</a>
Melba Support Services (Dr Anneke Jurgens)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.melbasupport.com.au/">https://www.melbasupport.com.au/</a>
National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality &amp; Safeguards Commission (2020) Practice Alert Dysphagia, safe swallowing, and mealtime management - <a href="https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/practice-alert-dysphagia-safe-swallowing-and-mealtime-management.pdf">https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/practice-alert-dysphagia-safe-swallowing-and-mealtime-management.pdf</a>
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Worker training modules (go to &lsquo;Supporting Safe and Enjoyable Meals&rsquo; module) - <a href="https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workforce/online-training-modules">https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workforce/online-training-modules</a>
Safer Care Victoria (2026) GUIDANCE - Communicating Safe Eating and Drinking (Victoria State Government, Australia) - <a href="https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%252520-%252520Communicating%252520safe%252520eating%252520and%252520drinking%252520-%252520Accessible.docx">https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%20-%20Communicating%20safe%20eating%20and%20drinking%20-%20Accessible.docx</a>
&nbsp;
Host: Fiona Given
Guests:&nbsp;Stacey Baldac (Speech Pathology Australia),&nbsp;Dr Anneke Jurgens (Melba Support Services),&nbsp;Associate Professor Deborah Debono (The University of Technology Sydney),&nbsp;and David Unwin (a person with lived experience of dysphagia)
Producer: Ali Aitken
Assistant Producer: Bronwyn Hemsley

“Mealtime plans need to be personal, clear, and practical”: Safety for people with swallowing disability

With high rates of swallowing difficulty (dysphagia, swallowing disability) in people with disability it is important that their lived experiences are heard in decisions about mealtimes to improve their safety and wellbeing.

In this three-part series within ‘What’s got us talking…’, researcher and person with swallowing disability Fiona Given helps us to understand the many factors affecting a person with difficulty swallowing. Across the three episodes, Fiona brings together the perspectives of people with lived experience of swallowing difficulty, their supporters, and health professionals.

In this episode, Fiona introduces the series by discussing dysphagia and its impacts on health and wellbeing, as well as the importance of a proper assessment, mealtime plans, and a collaborative team approach. Fiona and her guests Corinne Cox and Stacey Baldac expand upon issues for everyone to consider in designing safe and enjoyable meals for people with swallowing disability.

Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Disability Access and Inclusion Fund for supporting co-production of this series.

Resources:

Dietitians Australia, What are the Australian Dietary Guidelines? https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/health-advice/what-are-australian-dietary-guidelines

Evolve Nutrition and Health Solutions - https://www.corinnecox.com/

International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative https://www.iddsi.org/home

Safer Care Victoria (2026) GUIDANCE - Communicating Safe Eating and Drinking (Victoria State Government, Australia) - https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%20-%20Communicating%20safe%20eating%20and%20drinking%20-%20Accessible.docx

Speech Pathology Australia, fact sheet, Swallowing difficulty - https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Public/Comm-swallow/Swallowing.aspx

 

Host: Fiona Given

Guests: Corinne Cox (Advanced Accredited Dietician, Evolve Nutrition & Health Solutions), Stacey Baldac (Speech Pathology Australia) and Professor Bronwyn Hemsley

Producer: Ali Aitken

Assistant Producer: Bronwyn Hemsley

With high rates of swallowing difficulty (dysphagia, swallowing disability) in people with disability it is important that their lived experiences are heard in decisions about mealtimes to improve their safety and wellbeing.
In this three-part series within &lsquo;What&rsquo;s got us talking&hellip;&rsquo;, researcher and person with swallowing disability Fiona Given helps us to understand the many factors affecting a person with difficulty swallowing. Across the three episodes, Fiona brings together the perspectives of people with lived experience of swallowing difficulty, their supporters, and health professionals.
In this episode, Fiona introduces the series by discussing dysphagia and its impacts on health and wellbeing, as well as the importance of a proper assessment, mealtime plans, and a collaborative team approach. Fiona and her guests Corinne Cox and Stacey Baldac expand upon issues for everyone to consider in designing safe and enjoyable meals for people with swallowing disability.
Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Disability Access and Inclusion Fund for supporting co-production of this series.
Resources:
Dietitians Australia, What are the Australian Dietary Guidelines?&nbsp;<a href="https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/health-advice/what-are-australian-dietary-guidelines">https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/health-advice/what-are-australian-dietary-guidelines</a>
Evolve Nutrition and Health Solutions - <a href="https://www.corinnecox.com/">https://www.corinnecox.com/</a>
International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative <a href="https://www.iddsi.org/home">https://www.iddsi.org/home</a>
Safer Care Victoria (2026) GUIDANCE - Communicating Safe Eating and Drinking (Victoria State Government, Australia) - <a href="https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%252520-%252520Communicating%252520safe%252520eating%252520and%252520drinking%252520-%252520Accessible.docx">https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%20-%20Communicating%20safe%20eating%20and%20drinking%20-%20Accessible.docx</a>
Speech Pathology Australia, fact sheet, Swallowing difficulty - <a href="https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Public/Comm-swallow/Swallowing.aspx">https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Public/Comm-swallow/Swallowing.aspx</a>
&nbsp;
Host: Fiona Given
Guests: Corinne Cox (Advanced Accredited Dietician, Evolve Nutrition &amp; Health Solutions), Stacey Baldac (Speech Pathology Australia) and Professor Bronwyn Hemsley
Producer: Ali Aitken
Assistant Producer: Bronwyn Hemsley

“Mealtimes can be tricky”: Dysphagia and nutrition for people with swallowing disability 

In speech pathology, the rapid evolution and implementation of artificial intelligence, particularly virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), opens up an amazing world of new opportunities for our assessments and therapy with children and adults.

In this episode of ‘What’s got us talking…’ UTS researchers Dr Lucy Bryant and A/Prof Catarina Pinto Moreira (UNESCO Co-Chair on Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality) expand upon the practical and ethical challenges that clinicians might face, and need to be aware of, before they think about using artificial intelligence (AI) and VR / AR devices.

We explore the promises and pitfalls of immersive technologies like AR and VR, and how these could help reshape speech pathology assessment, therapy, and services.

 

Resources:

Bryant, L., Brunner, M., & Hemsley, B. (2019). A review of virtual reality technologies in the field of communication disability: implications for practice and research. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 15(4), 365–372. 
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2018.1549276

Bryant, L., & Hemsley, B. (2022). Augmented reality: a view to future visual supports for people with disability. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 19(3), 800–813. 
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2022.2125090

UNESCO Chair: Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality
https://unescoaixr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/UnescoAIXR/

XAVIER - Combines AI and VR in radiology
https://unescoaixr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/Xavier/

 

Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley 
Guests: Dr Lucy Bryant and A/Prof Catarina Pinto Moreira
Producer: Ali Aitken

In speech pathology, the rapid evolution and implementation of artificial intelligence, particularly virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), opens up an amazing world of new opportunities for our assessments and therapy with children and adults.
In this episode of &lsquo;What&rsquo;s got us talking&hellip;&rsquo; UTS researchers Dr Lucy Bryant and A/Prof Catarina Pinto Moreira (UNESCO Co-Chair on Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality) expand upon the practical and ethical challenges that clinicians might face, and need to be aware of, before they think about using artificial intelligence (AI) and VR / AR devices.
We explore the promises and pitfalls of immersive technologies like AR and VR, and how these could help reshape speech pathology assessment, therapy, and services.
&nbsp;
Resources:
Bryant, L., Brunner, M., &amp; Hemsley, B. (2019). A review of virtual reality technologies in the field of communication disability: implications for practice and research. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 15(4), 365&ndash;372.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2018.1549276">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2018.1549276</a>
Bryant, L., &amp; Hemsley, B. (2022). Augmented reality: a view to future visual supports for people with disability. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 19(3), 800&ndash;813.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2022.2125090">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2022.2125090</a>
UNESCO Chair: Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality <a href="https://unescoaixr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/UnescoAIXR/">https://unescoaixr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/UnescoAIXR/</a>
XAVIER - Combines AI and VR in radiology <a href="https://unescoaixr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/Xavier/">https://unescoaixr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/Xavier/</a>
&nbsp;
Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley&nbsp; Guests: Dr Lucy Bryant and A/Prof Catarina Pinto Moreira Producer: Ali Aitken

Machines helping humans: The possibilities & pitfalls of VR / AR in speech pathology

Dementia often changes a person’s communication while also increasing their need for connection and support. In this episode of ‘What’s Got Us Talking…’, we explore the impact of communication changes in dementia, and the important role speech pathologists play in enabling more successful communication and connection.

 

Resources:

Dementia Australia: 
Talking to someone with dementia https://www.dementia.org.au/living-dementia/staying-connected/talking-someone-dementia

Speech Pathology Australia Factsheeton Dementia and Communication: 
https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/CommunicationHub/Fact-Sheets/Dementia%20and%20communication%20FINAL.pdf

Speech Pathology Australia Dementia Practice Guideline: 
Working with People with Lived Experience of Dementia https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Shared_Content/Smart-Suite/Smart-Library/Public/Smart-Library-View.aspx?resource=920

Systematic Review of Communication Partner Training Programs for Families of People with Dementia (Open Access) 
Folder, N., Power, E., Rietdijk, R., Christensen, I., Togher, L., & Parker, D. (2023). The Effectiveness and Characteristics of Communication Partner Training Programs for Families of People with Dementia: A Systematic Review. The Gerontologist. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad095  

 

Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley 

Guests: Naomi Folder and Gwenda Darling

Producer: Ali Aitken

Dementia often changes a person&rsquo;s communication while also increasing their need for connection and support.&nbsp;In this episode of &lsquo;What&rsquo;s Got Us Talking&hellip;&rsquo;, we&nbsp;explore the impact of communication changes in dementia, and the important role speech pathologists play in enabling more successful communication and connection.
&nbsp;
Resources:
Dementia Australia:&nbsp; Talking to someone with dementia <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/living-dementia/staying-connected/talking-someone-dementia">https://www.dementia.org.au/living-dementia/staying-connected/talking-someone-dementia</a>
Speech Pathology Australia Factsheet on Dementia and Communication:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/common/Uploaded%252520files/CommunicationHub/Fact-Sheets/Dementia%252520and%252520communication%252520FINAL.pdf">https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/CommunicationHub/Fact-Sheets/Dementia%20and%20communication%20FINAL.pdf</a>
Speech Pathology Australia Dementia Practice Guideline: Working with People with Lived Experience of Dementia&nbsp;<a href="https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Shared_Content/Smart-Suite/Smart-Library/Public/Smart-Library-View.aspx?resource=920">https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Shared_Content/Smart-Suite/Smart-Library/Public/Smart-Library-View.aspx?resource=920</a>
Systematic Review of Communication Partner Training Programs for Families of People with Dementia (Open Access) Folder, N., Power, E., Rietdijk, R., Christensen, I., Togher, L., &amp; Parker, D. (2023). The Effectiveness and Characteristics of Communication Partner Training Programs for Families of People with Dementia: A Systematic Review. The Gerontologist.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad095">https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad095</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley&nbsp;
Guests: Naomi Folder and Gwenda Darling
Producer: Ali Aitken

Dementia & communication for connection: The vital role of speech pathologists for support

In this episode of “What’s Got Us Talking …” we explore the dangers of facilitated communication and variants Spelling to Communicate and Spellers Method. We outline the importance of recognising an individual’s communication rights and their need to access a method of communication that reflects their own thoughts, and not those of the facilitator. 

Facilitated Communication and variants (Supported Typing, Letterboarding, Spelling to Communicate / Spellers Method) are increasingly being used due to:

(a) growing numbers of speech-language pathologists and clinics delivering FC/S2C services; and 

(b) promotion in The Telepathy Tapes (Seasons 1 and 2), which dangerously and incorrectly interpret failed message passing tests as pseudoscientific telepathy rather than being evidence of facilitator control over the messages produced. 

This episode features some of the authors of a new paper outlining the communication rights of individuals exposed to the dangers of facilitated communication and variants (Spelling to Communicate, S2C, Spellers Method), listed below. 

Outline of Communication Rights and Authorship Assessment in FC/RPM/Spellers (Open Access) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23297018.2025.2544116

Hemsley, B., Beals, K., Lang, R., Schlosser, R. W., Shane,  H. Simmons, W., Skinner, S., & Todd, J. (2025). Safeguarding the communication rights of minimally- or non-speaking people who are vulnerable to Facilitated Communication, Rapid Prompting (Spellers method) and variants. Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 1-21.

Systematic Review of Facilitated Communication (Open Access) https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2396941518821570

Hemsley, B., Bryant, L., Schlosser, R. W., Shane, H. C., Lang, R., Paul, D., Banajee, M., & Ireland, M. (2019). Systematic review of facilitated communication 2014–2018 finds no new evidence that messages delivered using facilitated communication are authored by the person with disability. Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 3. https://doi.org/10.1177/2396941518821570 (Original work published 2018)

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Article 16 Freedom from Exploitation, Violence and Abuse: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/article-16-freedom-from-exploitation-violence-and-abuse

Article 21 Freedom of Expression and Opinion and Access to Information: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/article-21-freedom-of-expression-and-opinion-and-access-to-information

Website and YouTube resources: Blog posts, videos, critiques of studies, and lists of organisations with position statements opposing FC/RPM

https://www.facilitatedcommunication.org/

https://www.youtube.com/@fcisnotscience

 

POSITION STATEMENTS on FC/RPM/S2C/Spellers

American Association of Speech Language Hearing:

ASHA Position Statements on Facilitated Communication https://www.asha.org/policy/ps2018-00352/

ASHA Position Statement on Rapid Prompting Method (Spelling to Communicate, S2C, Spellers Method) https://www.asha.org/policy/ps2018-00351/?srsltid=AfmBOopseOn5HhRP7E0er6QJYNt97hjImlHsPcb9S2MUc9Qud8X4Mwdp

ASHA Evidence Map on Systematic Review of Facilitated Communication https://apps.asha.org/EvidenceMaps/Articles/ArticleSummary/75d47271-e474-ee11-814b-005056834e2b

Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability - ASID Position Statement on Facilitated Communication and Rapid Prompting Method https://asid.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sept-2024-Final-Position-Statement-on-FC-and-RPM-13-July-202475.pdf

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists  https://www.rcslt.org/members/delivering-quality-services/facilitated-communication/#section-2

 

Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley 

Guests: Dr Katherine Beals, Dr Jeffrey Chan and Professor Karen Nankervis

Producer: Ali Aitken

In this episode of &ldquo;What&rsquo;s Got Us Talking &hellip;&rdquo; we explore the dangers of facilitated communication and variants Spelling to Communicate and Spellers Method. We outline the importance of recognising an individual&rsquo;s communication rights and their need to access a method of communication that reflects their own thoughts, and not those of the facilitator.&nbsp;
Facilitated Communication and variants (Supported Typing, Letterboarding, Spelling to Communicate / Spellers Method) are increasingly being used due to:
(a) growing numbers of speech-language pathologists and clinics delivering FC/S2C services; and&nbsp;
(b) promotion in The Telepathy Tapes (Seasons 1 and 2), which dangerously and incorrectly interpret failed message passing tests as pseudoscientific telepathy rather than being evidence of facilitator control over the messages produced.&nbsp;
This episode features some of the authors of a new paper outlining the communication rights of individuals exposed to the dangers of facilitated communication and variants (Spelling to Communicate, S2C, Spellers Method), listed below.&nbsp;
Outline of Communication Rights and Authorship Assessment in FC/RPM/Spellers (Open Access)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23297018.2025.2544116">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23297018.2025.2544116</a>
Hemsley, B., Beals, K., Lang, R., Schlosser, R. W., Shane,&nbsp; H. Simmons, W., Skinner, S., &amp; Todd, J. (2025). Safeguarding the communication rights of minimally- or non-speaking people who are vulnerable to Facilitated Communication, Rapid Prompting (Spellers method) and variants. Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 1-21.
Systematic Review of Facilitated Communication (Open Access)&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2396941518821570">https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2396941518821570</a>
Hemsley, B., Bryant, L., Schlosser, R. W., Shane, H. C., Lang, R., Paul, D., Banajee, M., &amp; Ireland, M. (2019). Systematic review of facilitated communication 2014&ndash;2018 finds no new evidence that messages delivered using facilitated communication are authored by the person with disability. Autism &amp; Developmental Language Impairments, 3. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/2396941518821570">https://doi.org/10.1177/2396941518821570</a> (Original work published 2018)
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Article 16 Freedom from Exploitation, Violence and Abuse:&nbsp;<a href="https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/article-16-freedom-from-exploitation-violence-and-abuse">https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/article-16-freedom-from-exploitation-violence-and-abuse</a>
Article 21 Freedom of Expression and Opinion and Access to Information:&nbsp;<a href="https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/article-21-freedom-of-expression-and-opinion-and-access-to-information">https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/article-21-freedom-of-expression-and-opinion-and-access-to-information</a>
Website and YouTube resources: Blog posts, videos, critiques of studies, and lists of organisations with position statements opposing FC/RPM
<a href="https://www.facilitatedcommunication.org/">https://www.facilitatedcommunication.org/</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@fcisnotscience">https://www.youtube.com/@fcisnotscience</a>
&nbsp;
POSITION STATEMENTS on FC/RPM/S2C/Spellers
American Association of Speech Language Hearing:
ASHA Position Statements on Facilitated Communication&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asha.org/policy/ps2018-00352/">https://www.asha.org/policy/ps2018-00352/</a>
ASHA Position Statement on Rapid Prompting Method (Spelling to Communicate, S2C, Spellers Method)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asha.org/policy/ps2018-00351/?srsltid=AfmBOopseOn5HhRP7E0er6QJYNt97hjImlHsPcb9S2MUc9Qud8X4Mwdp">https://www.asha.org/policy/ps2018-00351/?srsltid=AfmBOopseOn5HhRP7E0er6QJYNt97hjImlHsPcb9S2MUc9Qud8X4Mwdp</a>
ASHA Evidence Map on Systematic Review of Facilitated Communication&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.asha.org/EvidenceMaps/Articles/ArticleSummary/75d47271-e474-ee11-814b-005056834e2b">https://apps.asha.org/EvidenceMaps/Articles/ArticleSummary/75d47271-e474-ee11-814b-005056834e2b</a>
Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability - ASID Position Statement on Facilitated Communication and Rapid Prompting Method&nbsp;<a href="https://asid.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sept-2024-Final-Position-Statement-on-FC-and-RPM-13-July-202475.pdf">https://asid.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sept-2024-Final-Position-Statement-on-FC-and-RPM-13-July-202475.pdf</a>
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rcslt.org/members/delivering-quality-services/facilitated-communication/%23section-2">https://www.rcslt.org/members/delivering-quality-services/facilitated-communication/#section-2</a>
&nbsp;
Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley&nbsp;
Guests: Dr Katherine Beals, Dr Jeffrey Chan and Professor Karen Nankervis
Producer:&nbsp;Ali Aitken

 Safeguarding communication rights: Sounding the alarm on Facilitated Communication / Spelling to Communicate

Recognising the rising popularity of GLP/NLA, we bring the results of a systematic review into the conversation and explore some reasons for its rapid growth despite the absence of research evidence.

Resources: 

Key paper: 


Bryant, L., Bowen, C., Grove, R. et al. (2024) Systematic review of interventions based on Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Clinical implications of absence of evidence and cautions for clinicians and parents. Curr Dev Disord Rep 12, 1–14 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-024-00312-zhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40474-024-00312-z 

Websites for evidence-based practices


Autism Evidence and Practice (The National clearinghouse, NCAEP, USA). https://ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/


Australian Autism CRE (Centre for Research Excellence) evidence tables https://www.autismcrc.com.au/interventions-evidence/summary-umbrella-review/evidence-table

 

Host: Prof Bronwyn Hemsley 

Guests: Dr Lucy Bryant and Dr Caroline Bowen, AM.

Produced by Laura Corrigan, thanks to 2SER

Recognising the rising popularity of GLP/NLA, we bring the results of a systematic review into the conversation and explore some reasons for its rapid growth despite the absence of research evidence.
Resources:&nbsp;
Key paper:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Bryant, L., Bowen, C., Grove, R. et al. (2024) Systematic review of interventions based on Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Clinical implications of absence of evidence and cautions for clinicians and parents. Curr Dev Disord Rep 12, 1&ndash;14 (2024). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-024-00312-z">https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-024-00312-z</a> <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40474-024-00312-z">https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40474-024-00312-z</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Websites for evidence-based practices
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Autism Evidence and Practice (The National clearinghouse, NCAEP, USA). <a href="https://ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/">https://ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Australian Autism CRE (Centre for Research Excellence) evidence tables <a href="https://www.autismcrc.com.au/interventions-evidence/summary-umbrella-review/evidence-table">https://www.autismcrc.com.au/interventions-evidence/summary-umbrella-review/evidence-table</a>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Host: Prof Bronwyn Hemsley&nbsp;
Guests: Dr Lucy Bryant and Dr Caroline Bowen, AM.
Produced by Laura Corrigan, thanks to 2SER

Mind the evidence gap : Caution over Gestalt Language Processing / Natural Language Acquisition 

As multilingual speech pathology is an emerging field of research and practice, we explore how and why speech pathologists support multilingual clients, and several new developments. it.

Resources:


Multilingual Children’s Speech YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRXcSAl_dA7arRMrE0qdxLuzGChY1LgY2


Multilingual Children’s Speech website: https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech

Key paper: 


McLeod, S., & Crowe, K. (2018). Children’s consonant acquisition in 27 languages: A cross-linguistic review. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 27(4), 1546–1571. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJSLP-17-0100 


Free posters: https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech/speech-acquisition/learning-english-consonants

Host: Prof Bronwyn Hemsley 

Guests: Dr Denise Ng,  Prof Sharynne McCleod, Emily Chan, and Lily.

Produced by Laura Corrigan, thanks to 2SER

 

As multilingual speech pathology is an emerging field of research and practice, we explore how and why speech pathologists support multilingual clients, and several new developments. it.
Resources:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Multilingual Children&rsquo;s Speech YouTube channel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRXcSAl_dA7arRMrE0qdxLuzGChY1LgY2">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRXcSAl_dA7arRMrE0qdxLuzGChY1LgY2</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Multilingual Children&rsquo;s Speech website: <a href="https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech">https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech</a>
</li>
</ul>
Key paper:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
McLeod, S., &amp; Crowe, K. (2018). Children&rsquo;s consonant acquisition in 27 languages: A cross-linguistic review. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 27(4), 1546&ndash;1571. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJSLP-17-0100&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Free posters: <a href="https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech/speech-acquisition/learning-english-consonants">https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech/speech-acquisition/learning-english-consonants</a>
</li>
</ul>
Host: Prof Bronwyn Hemsley&nbsp;
Guests: Dr Denise Ng,&nbsp; Prof Sharynne McCleod, Emily Chan, and Lily.
Produced by Laura Corrigan, thanks to 2SER
&nbsp;

Understanding each other : Multilingual speech pathology practice

Discover the latest research and insights in Speech Pathology from the University of Technology Sydney. Join Professor Bronwyn Hemsley, Head of Speech Pathology at UTS, as she starts the conversations shaping the field. A must-listen for speechies, students, and their curious friends.

Discover the latest research and insights in Speech Pathology from the University of Technology Sydney. Join Professor Bronwyn Hemsley, Head of Speech Pathology at UTS, as she starts the conversations shaping the field. A must-listen for speechies, students, and their curious friends.

What’s Got Us Talking: A UTS Speech Pathology Podcast

Discover the latest research and insights in Speech Pathology from the University of Technology Sydney. Join Professor Bronwyn Hemsley, Head of Speech Pathology at UTS, as she starts the conversations shaping the field. A must-listen for speechies, students, and their curious friends.

What’s Got Us Talking: A UTS Speech Pathology Podcast

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