Speech Pathology Week Tasmania 2023: Public sector union head Thirza White shares son’s journey

The head of the state’s public sector union has shared the “heartbreak” and challenges her young son faces because of a lack of timely access to a speech and language pathologist - but the government hopes a new $25k cash bonus draws graduates to the state.

Thirza White with son Arlo Clark, 8. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The head of the state’s public sector union has told of the “heartbreak” and challenges her young son faces because of a lack of timely access to a speech and language pathologist.

With Speech Pathology Week starting on Sunday, Thirza White, the secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, says the education workforce is “too stretched to meet demand” and there are long-term vacancies across the state that need to be urgently filled.

“Tassie kids are missing out on the early intervention they need to ensure they can learn the communication skills critical to literacy,” she said.

“We need to do better to support children with their communication, speech, and language, by backing up the workforce that helps them.”

Ms White said her son Arlo had been on a waiting list since he was two.

Thirza White with son Arlo Clark 8 who has experienced speech development issues due to hearing loss at a young age. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“He is now eight and due to the chronic underfunding of both speech pathologists and school psychologists in schools, we have had to seek assessments through the private sector, and therapy via telehealth from the mainland.

“He was lucky to get some support through a school-based program but is still considered ‘underserviced’, receiving some limited support but in need of much more.

“The heartbreaking part is that for my son, earlier assessment and intervention would have assisted him with his speech, which would have avoided some of the challenges we are now facing in his literacy skills.

“A stitch in time literally saves nine.”

Ms White said failing to fund speech and language pathologists in schools was “shifting the costs to Tasmanian families”.

“Assessments through the private sector can cost thousands and ongoing therapy costs around $195 an hour upwards, this is simply unaffordable to most and adding great financial stress to many family budgets, at a time when we know families are already doing it tough,” she said.

“The frustrating part is that the solutions are there to help tackle this problem. By offering a market allowance we could lift the wages of these in-demand professionals to help recruit and retain them.”

CPSU delegate Sarah Green said many children needed extra help with speech, language and communication.

“We know that these children are much more likely to have troubles learning to read and write and can go on to have academic difficulties in later years,” she said.

Former Tasmanian Australian of the Year Dr Rosalie Martin said since the introduction of the NDIS speech and language pathologists had been in greater demand.

Health Minister Guy Barnett said there was a shortage of allied health professionals across Australia. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It’s problematic going on a waiting list because while it’s never too late to make gains years down the track, best practice is always for early intervention,” she said.

Health Minister Guy Barnett said there was a shortage of allied health professionals across Australia, and that the government was offering a $25,000 cash bonus under a new scholarship scheme to encourage graduates to work in Tasmania.

“The scholarship will see up to 45 allied health professionals added to the Tasmanian Health Service from 2024 providing an immediate workforce boost on the ground,” he said.

The first cohort of physiotherapy and speech pathology students will graduate in July 2024

Originally published as Speech Pathology Week Tasmania 2023: Public sector union head Thirza White shares son’s journey