Speech pathologist Kate Rennie always knew she wanted to work with people.
Fascinated by the inner workings of the human brain and the role it plays in communicative function, Kate’s journey as a speech pathologist started straight out of high school.
“I find it fascinating that brain function changes over time,” shares Kate. “Of course, there are various different reasons, but I am particularly focused on helping people who have swallowing difficulties or dysphagia, as we call it.”
Dysphagia is a medical term for difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can be a painful condition that can happen at any age, and in some cases swallowing is impossible.
As a clinical lead in Peninsula Health’s NDIS Adult Team, Kate works with adults who live with a disability such as dysphagia. One of those adults is local Skye resident, Tina, who experienced a car accident in 1983 which led to difficulties with her swallowing and speech.
Tina receives funding to support her disability through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and was connected with Peninsula Health’s NDIS service in 2024 where she now works closely with Kate to improve her ability to swallow and speak.
“Peninsula Health’s NDIS service helps participants meet their NDIS goals,” says Kate. “Each participant will have their own goals as part of the NDIS planning process.”
“When working with people like Tina, who have goals to improve their swallowing and speech, our goal is to help them have a safe and enjoyable mealtime,” says Kate.
“Specifically when looking at swallowing, we can implement tactics to help ensure they can eat and drink without coughing and spluttering their way through a meal, which helps them to avoid developing chest infections.”
Kate works collaboratively with other Allied Health disciplines, including dieticians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, to improve the swallowing problem through a range of strategies including texture modification, positioning and guidance to support workers. One person who is appreciative of the support is Tina’s husband Barry.
“When Tina got aspiration pneumonia, the team at Frankston Hospital connected with Peninsula Health’s NDIS services and ever since seen Tina’s condition progress positively,” says Barry. “It’s nice to know we have support from the NDIS service team and our GP who has gone through the ups and down’s with us.”
“Tina has been able to improve her food areas of what she can and can’t have,” adds Barry. “Which now provides a good variety of food and drinks for Tina when she goes out to eat or drink in the community.”
“Mealtime management plans are a key requirement for anyone with dysphagia who is under the NDIS,” shares Kate. “It really spells out to someone’s care team and support workers, how to support them effectively for meal times, eating and drinking.”
Tina also lives with dysarthria, a speech disorder that makes it difficult to speak clearly, often caused by damage to the brain or nerves that control the muscles used for speech.
“Swallowing problems often go hand in hand with communication difficulties,” says Kate. “A lot of people who have muscles of swallowing affected by something often find their speech sounds different.”
Peninsula Health speech pathologists can provide communication help by assessing and treating various communication disorders, including difficulties with speaking, understanding language, fluency, voice quality, social communication skills.
“I really love getting out into the community and helping people with swallowing or communication problems,” says Kate. “When people invite me to their homes, I think that’s a real honour, especially when I get to know them over a period of time.”
Peninsula Health’s NDIS Service is helping people with complex needs living in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula. To find out more about the service, visit www.peninsulahealth.org.au/services/ndis-services/