The Move. Talk. Thrive. Podcast Emily Mackie Speechie & Lizzy Dawson EP

In this episode, Liz hosts Em as an industry expert for Liz’s for an insightful interview specifically designed for her  The Paediatric Practitioner - Knowledge Corner course members. 
They dive into essential topics related to working with children who have language differences. Em begins by explaining how to identify if a child has language differences and shares practical methods for informally screening the children they work with. The discussion emphasises the importance of determining whether a child needs a referral, which is a critical step in providing appropriate support.
Em also highlights the significance of using neuro-affirming language, which respects and acknowledges the unique neurodiversity of each child. This approach helps create a supportive and inclusive environment. To assist practitioners, Em introduces simple receptive and expressive language screeners that can be easily implemented in various settings.
Moreover, Em offers valuable strategies for integrating language into sessions in a way that is both effective and engaging for children. She discusses how to scale back language complexity to accommodate children with language differences, ensuring that communication is accessible and clear. Em stresses the importance of making instructions simple for kids with compromised language skills, providing practical examples and tips to enhance understanding and participation.
Throughout the episode, Liz and Em provide actionable insights and tools that practitioners can apply immediately to better support children with language differences, ensuring they receive the attention and resources they need to thrive.
This episode is full of gold nuggets that all health professionals that are working with children can call on. This will help health professionals not only determine if a child may need a referral but better support and collaboratively work on holistic goals for children. 
This bonus episode has been released to celebrate the doors opening to Liz’s The Paediatric Practitioner - The Knowledge Corner and Em’s Preschool Language Academy. 
For more information on our courses head to 
 
https://www.lizzydawson.com.au/
 
https://www.emilymackie.com.au/ 
 
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Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnHKjQ7CD_B40Jy6RD04FQ 

This is a bonus episode between Lizzy and Emily from the PLA Library. We are in between Season One and Season Two and wanted to continue to provide you with goodness and learnings.
Some key concepts during the conversation:
🔑 Importance of incorporating movement and physical activity, body awareness, stretching, and core exercises into therapy sessions.
🔑 Impact of language on health and the importance of setting up healthy habits.
🔑 The need to raise awareness about the role of EPs (Exercise Physiologists) and their collaboration with other allied health practitioners/professionals specifically in the paediatric sector.
🔑 The difference between OTs (Occupational Therapists) and physiotherapists (physios) in terms of diagnosis and frequency of visits.
🔑 Discussion of the challenges of engaging children and managing behaviour in therapy sessions.
Lizzy recommends to check the Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) website for a list of EPs in the region.
She provides free resources and information on her website. She offers an exercise database which includes 30 different exercises along with dialogue examples, paediatric prescription formulas, and developmental opportunities for each exercise.
Lizzy has two clinics where she provides exercise therapy and support. She has previously been a guest expert and has shared valuable insights and practical strategies for speech sessions. She also does a free master class or webinar a couple of times a year. Lizzy is passionate about collaborating with other allied health professionals and believes in taking a holistic approach to therapy. She finds it rewarding to see the positive impact of her work on children’s lives.

In this episode, we tackle the critical issue of burnout, drawing insights from Liz's personal experience with burnout, suffering a stroke at 33 and what she shares in her burnout presentations on the subject.
 
Burnout is not just exhaustion; it's an occupational phenomenon characterised by chronic workplace stress that remains unmanaged. This stress can manifest as decreased energy, increased mental distance from one's job, and feelings of ineffectiveness due to an overwhelming workload or too many responsibilities.
 
The conversation delves into the difference between empathy and compassion, emphasising that while empathy is about feeling with someone, compassion involves taking actionable steps to help. Staying in a constant state of empathy without transitioning to compassion can be dangerous, leading to what is known as compassion fatigue. This involves taking on the emotional and psychological burdens of patients, which can be particularly taxing for healthcare professionals who are naturally empathetic.
 
We explore the slippery slope of burnout, discussing the challenges faced by both employees and contractors in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Bonuses and incentives can inadvertently contribute to burnout by encouraging workers to take on more responsibilities without adequate support or boundaries.
 
The episode also touches upon the paradoxical nature of being a healthcare professional. What makes someone good at their job – empathy, compassion, problem-solving skills – can also be their undoing if they overcompensate for these strengths. Liz shares her personal journey of how her empathetic nature, which initially drove her to become a health professional, eventually led to additional emotional burdens after her stroke. We discuss practical strategies for preventing burnout and maintaining boundaries, such as not taking work home, setting aside decompression time between work and home, and being realistic about what you can manage. Communication is key, especially for certain working structures like having your own business or working as an independent outside employee arrangements where clinicians may feel obligated to be available 24/7. Taking personal accountability and seeking psychological support when needed are also crucial steps in preventing burnout.
 
This episode serves as a reminder that while hard work and empathy are admirable qualities, they must be balanced with boundaries and self-care to avoid burnout. Being aware, educated, emotionally intelligent, and proactive in maintaining balance are essential for both personal well-being and effective client care. If you feel yourself tipping towards burnout, it's crucial to pull back immediately and refocus on what gives you balance and fulfilment. Join us as we delve into the complexities of burnout and explore ways to foster a healthier, more sustainable approach to work and life.
 
Check out our courses and websites:
https://www.lizzydawson.com.au/
https://www.emilymackie.com.au/
 
Follow us on Instagram
@movetalkthrive https://www.instagram.com/movetalkthrive/
@lizzydawson_ https://www.instagram.com/lizzydawson_/
@emilymackie.speechie https://www.instagram.com/emilymackie.speechie/
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnHKjQ7CD_B40Jy6RD04FQ
 

In this episode, we delve into the concept of navigating your career journey, considering the span of a career and the various factors that influence it. Whether you're a man or a woman, your career trajectory might differ due to life events like having children, but ultimately, many of us find ourselves working until around 65 years old. It's a considerable chunk of our lives, especially if we start our professional journey at 22, leaving us with approximately 40 years in a given profession. So, how do we keep our motivation and passion alive throughout this time?
 
We discuss the balance between specialisation and generalisation, a crucial aspect for maintaining enthusiasm in our work. This balance is particularly pertinent for new graduates faced with the daunting question of what career path to pursue. The pressure to have it all figured out can be overwhelming, but our guests shed light on the importance of experimentation and exploration in finding one's true calling.
 
Em shares her personal journey of specialising in preschool language, highlighting the value of trying out various roles to discover where your interests lie. She warns against the dangers of pigeonholing oneself too early in one's career, advocating instead for a more flexible approach to professional development. Likewise, Liz recounts her experience of initially wanting to work with adults but finding fulfilment in working with children, illustrating how career paths can evolve over time.
 
Throughout the conversation, we explore the importance of considering different life stages and personal circumstances when planning our career trajectories. Achieving a healthy work-life balance involves finding stability in some areas while embracing change in others. We also touch upon the role of emotional triggers in our career choices, emphasising the need to set boundaries and prioritise our well-being.
 
Ultimately, this episode encourages listeners to adopt a curious and open mindset, embracing change and recognizing that career journeys are fluid and ever-evolving. Whether you're just starting out in your career or contemplating a shift later in life, there's always room for growth and adaptation.
 
Join us as we explore the nuances of navigating your career journey and finding fulfilment along the way.
 
Check out our courses and websites:
https://www.lizzydawson.com.au/
https://www.emilymackie.com.au/
 
For more check out our social pages and we would love you to subscribe, review and share this episode with your community.
@movetalkthrive https://www.instagram.com/movetalkthrive/
@lizzydawson_ https://www.instagram.com/lizzydawson_/
@emilymackie.speechie https://www.instagram.com/emilymackie.speechie/
 

In this episode, we explore the importance of professional and personal development (PD) as essential components of success, emphasizing the need to lead and master oneself before leading others.
 
We delve into the concept of "why" – understanding your personal mission and career mission, inspired by Simon Sinek's influential book and video, "Start With Why."
We encourage listeners to reflect on their motivations and identify who is doing what they aspire to do.
We discuss the significance of setting both long-term (5 years) and short-term (1 year) career goals, applying the same principles to personal development as one would with clients.
This involves defining the specific populations you want to work with and setting goals in various aspects of life, including work, personal, health, possessions, and family.
 
The episode provides practical guidance on how to approach PD, from selecting the right courses and modalities (online, face-to-face, research) to budgeting and implementing what you've learned.
We emphasize the importance of assessing the effectiveness of your PD efforts and refining them over time to ensure continuous growth and development.
We discuss strategies for proposing PD opportunities to employers, including presenting a business plan outlining how you will contribute and serve your peers through your newfound skills.
 
Researching available PD courses and taking advantage of professional organizations like Speech Pathology Australia, ESSA, OT, and Physio can also be beneficial.
Drawing from our own experiences running courses, we share insights into what we have learned from the process and stress the importance of completion, engagement, and feedback.
 
This episode aims to empower listeners to take control of their professional and personal development by setting clear goals, selecting appropriate courses and modalities, and effectively communicating their PD needs and contributions to employers.
By adopting a strategic and proactive approach to PD, listeners can pave the way for continued growth, success, and fulfillment in their careers.
 
Join us as we navigate the intricacies of professional and personal development and explore practical strategies for achieving your goals.
 
Check out our courses and websites:
https://www.lizzydawson.com.au/
https://www.emilymackie.com.au/
 
For more check out our social pages and we would love you to subscribe, review and share this episode with your community.
@movetalkthrive https://www.instagram.com/movetalkthrive/
@lizzydawson_ https://www.instagram.com/lizzydawson_/
@emilymackie.speechie https://www.instagram.com/emilymackie.speechie/
 

In today's episode we talk about the skills that we see as essential being paediatric clinicians.
 
It is without a doubt that it takes a special kind of health professional to work with kids and we have worked with and trained up so many amazing speechies and exercise physiologists over the years and what we see is that there are two distinct sets of skills that are required for this work.
 
A person's natural skillset and those skills that are developed over time. We talk about the Natural skillset, being the skills that give someone the ‘permission to play’; they are the natural skills that they possess as a person.
 
Some of these include:
Permission to Play- Natural skillset
Bubbly
Expressive and playful
Smiles
Warmth
Natural around kids
Calm in chaos
Curious and inquisitive
Confidence around children
Being flexible and adaptable - happy to go off plan and calm in a storm.
Creative, innovation with time, energy, planning, hold yourself and seeing things that aren’t there
See the potential
Be optimistic and positive
Nurturing
Educator
Playful
Ok asking questions
 
Note that most of these skills are not clinical. They are not technical. We unpack how new grads so often can be wound up with clinical skills and we both take these clinicians through training focussing on connection being the most important factor as when we cant connect we wont be able to share our clinical knowledge.
 
Then we looked at the developed skillset; the skills that we develop over time and through experience in the role.
These are skills that we don’t expect new grads to have when starting a position and skills that are built on through training and mentoring.
 
These include:
Calm in chaos- engaging kids creatively
Curious- improvising and finding opportunities to layer in therapy.
Clinical technical skills
Knowledge of research
Communication skills with parents and educators, skills to talk to different audiences and help them understand
Education skills in advocacy, teaching, educating for the profession
Skills in running a group of children and sessions in different settings
Managing behaviour and engaging kids
Engagement with kids more strategically to achieve goals
Learning using all senses, multimodal communication – how do you use all these to engage children
Multitask- Doing three things at once, talking to parent, while managing child, taking data and knowing your goal and where you are going clinically
Scripting for activities and goals
 
We hope you enjoy today’s episode and we would love for you to subscribe, share and review our show! Let us know what you are liking the most as we develop season 2!
 
Check out our courses and websites:
https://www.lizzydawson.com.au/ https://www.emilymackie.com.au/
 
Follow us on Instagram @movetalkthrive https://www.instagram.com/movetalkthrive/
 
@lizzydawson_ https://www.instagram.com/lizzydawson_/
 
@emilymackie.speechie https://www.instagram.com/emilymackie.speechie/
 
Watch us chat on Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnHKjQ7CD_B40Jy6RD04FQ