Silence isn’t golden for 400,000 Kiwis

The important role of Speech-language Therapists in supporting Kiwis with communication disabilities, to find better ways to communicate, is being highlighted this week (16-22 September) by Giving Voice Aotearoa 2018, a campaign to raise awareness nationwide.

Four hundred thousand Kiwis have a communication disability. This may include an inability to speak and be heard easily, as well as issues with processing spoken and written language, reading and following signs.

Giving Voice Aotearoa 2018 is being run by the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association (NZSTA) and aims to make New Zealand more communication accessible by growing awareness of how organisations can make sure all Kiwis feel included in everyday communication.

The New Zealand Speech Language Therapists Association NZSTA, represents the profession of Speech-language Therapy in Aotearoa, as well as providing awareness and advocacy for all those affected by communication and related swallowing conditions.

Annette Rotherham, the newly appointed President of NZSTA, says the ability and right to communicate is taken for granted as a skill but for many it’s a struggle in a culture where being able to communicate well is increasingly important:

“Unlike a physical disability, if someone has an issue with communication it often goes unnoticed, or it’s hidden, and becomes a silent disability - those affected can become isolated and disempowered,” she says.

“It often results in child behavioural challenges, it impacts learning, getting a job, building relationships, and is more likely to lead to living in poverty. It’s also common among young offenders and with inmates. If unaddressed it can cause long term issues from failure and disengagement at school to an inability to transition to the workforce, living life to the full and being productive - so it has social and economic implications.”
Giving Voice Aotearoa 2018 is modelled on a successful UK campaign that has grown awareness about communication disability among public and private organisations, including schools, hospitals, workplaces and shops so they can improve communication access.
Some people have challenges with communication from birth while for others it’s the result of an accident or illness.

A representative for NZSTA is Geneva Hakaraia-Tino, who was born with athetoid cerebral palsy, which is characterised by speech difficulties and uncontrollable movement. But this hasn’t stopped her graduating as a Bachelor of Communication Studies from AUT and fronting a campaign to develop a Te Reo voice for communication devices.

Rangitikei man Aidan Terpstra is another success story who beat odds to get his voice back after months of rehabilitation following a punch during a roadside confrontation that left him unconscious for months.

At the time, two years ago, doctors didn’t rate Aidan’s chances for a full recovery but now able to walk, eat without a feeding tube and talk, he’s beginning to get back to doing the things he loves, including running his Firewood Business.

Judge Andrew Becroft, Patron of the NZSTA, says both Geneva and Aidan are two of the many examples of people who have been supported by Speech Language Therapists so they can achieve and succeed.

“Neuro-disabilities, including speech language communication disorders are one of the focal points of our office. Many of New Zealand’s 1.1 million children struggle with communication difficulties. I did myself as a child who began stuttering at the age of two and a half, and it has been a lifelong issue,” he explains.

“Now thankfully under control due to the fantastic help provided by a 3 week residential course with a speech language therapist, my heart goes out to those children in particular who struggle to communicate,” he adds.

“My plea is that we provide real help and assistance; especially speech and language therapy for all children and young people who are struggling with what can be a debilitating disorder that blights young people’s well-being.”

Becroft comments, “In one sense this isn’t a high profile disability and is only obvious when it comes to communication and talking. Many New Zealanders aren’t as aware of this issue as they could be.”

Speech-language Therapists work with people every day who experience communication difficulties, they share their frustrations, their pain, their social isolation and their fears, and they work hard to provide them with a voice, involving regaining their own or supplementing with other forms of communication.

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