Elizabeth Usher memorial lecture: Speech-language pathology in the transformative age - valuing connectivity

Figures & data

Table I. Key developments for the speech-language pathology profession in Australia throughout the twentieth century.

1931	Mrs. Elinor Wray founded speech therapy in Australia
1944	First professional association for speech therapists was established in Australia
1949	Professional association named Australian College of Speech Therapists (ACST)
1955	First AGM of ACST
1956	Branches of ACST were established in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and Queensland
1975	Association name changed to Australian Association of Speech & Hearing (AASH)
1979	Queensland government introduced “The Speech Therapist” Act
1994	speech-language pathology in Australia Competency Based Occupational Standards (CBOS) launched
1996	Association name changed to speech-language pathology Australia … “giving people a say in life”

Figure 1. Key developments for the speech-language pathology profession in the twenty-first century.

Figure 2. Framework for considering the value of connectivity in the transformative era.

Table II. A summary of key developments in speech-language pathology training programs in Australia.

1961	University of Queensland established the first Diploma course
1990	Undergraduate programs at University of Queensland, University of Sydney in New South Wales, LaTrobe University in Victoria, Curtin University in Western Australia, and Flinders University in South Australia
1994	First program established outside the capital city at University of Newcastle, New South Wales
1996	Graduate Entry Master programs emerged
2019	17 Universities offering 25 professional degree programs
2022	24 Universities offering 38 professional degree programs

Figure 3. The stepped speech therapy curricula were developed for China.