Show Notes
In this second episode of the 2025-2026 Summer Listening Series, Alice Pumfrey from the SPA 2025 conference support fund has selected rethinking functional neurological disorders. We start the episode with a reflection from Alice and go on to hear Matthew Ernst, Speech Pathologist and Regional Manager at Better Rehab in Queensland, speak with Dr. Cath Gregory, Speech Pathologist and lecturer, from the University of Technology Sydney. Cath outlines the speech pathology role when working with people with a Functional Neurological Disorder.
Are you interested in joining the Speak Up podcast reference group? Please email the podcast team on [email protected]
If you’d like to offer a reflection on an episode and participate in a rebroadcast episode please contact the podcast team on the email above.
Resources:
For further information about the Functional Neurological Disorder Society please follow this link: www.fndsociety.org/ Please follow this link to access the neurosymptoms.org website mentioned in this episode: www.neurosymptoms.org/
Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past and present. We recognise that the health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are grounded in continued connection to culture, country, language and community and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.
Free access to transcripts for podcast episodes are available via the SPA Learning Hub (https://learninghub.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/),, you will need to sign in or create an account. For more information, please see our Bio or for further enquiries, email [email protected]
Disclaimer: © (2025) The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited. All rights reserved. Important Notice, Please read: The views expressed in this presentation and reproduced in these materials are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited (“the Association”). The Association makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content, currency or accuracy of any of the materials comprised in this recording. The Association expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of these materials and the information contained within them. The Association recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in this recording including in any of the materials referred to or otherwise incorporated into this recording. Except as otherwise stated, copyright and all other intellectual property rights comprised in the presentation and these materials, remain the exclusive property of the Association. Except with the Association’s prior written approval you must not, in whole or part, reproduce, modify, adapt, distribute, publish or electronically communicate (including by online means) this recording or any of these materials.
More from Speak Up
In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr Margaret Lehman Blake, Dr Ronelle Hewetson, and Dr Amanda Love about the hidden communication challenges that can follow a right hemisphere stroke. They discuss key research findings, the emerging framework of apragmatism, best-practice assessment approaches, and why greater awareness is needed to improve outcomes for individuals and their families.
In this week’s episode, SPA First Nations Lead Nikita and our guests discuss how we can improve speech, language, and communication outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the early years of language development. The panel of researchers and clinicians share practical tips and resources to support and improve culturally safe and responsive practice.
In this week’s episode, Jess speaks with Jenny Wills and Deb Cunningham about their research and work with people with facial palsy. They discuss the complexities of living with facial palsy and how speech pathologists interested in this practice area can upskill and provide comprehensive, person-centred support.
In this week’s episode, podcast producers Jess and Nadia are joined by national advisor MJ to discuss inclusive, accessible service design. We feature two recordings from the recent SPA 2026 conference and reflect on the way our services can be enhanced with systemic change focussed on equality.
In this week’s episode, Dr Ramas McRae joins us to recognise International Week of Deaf People and the International Day of Sign Languages. He explores how communication access and inclusion influence the wellbeing of Deaf people, and shares ways speech pathologists can support inclusion and be effective allies.