USQ Psychology students assist Disability Services Queensland

First year Psychology students at USQ's Springfield Campus have successfully completed a research project for Disability Services Queensland (DSQ).

The project involved investigating the validity of Facilitated Communication (FC), a controversial communication strategy used by people with severe intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder.

DSQ approached USQ to assess the controversial strategy, which enables people to communicate by pointing to objects, photos, symbols, words or letters.

The project involved a critical review of literature examining the effectiveness of FC and exploring the usage of FC in Australia and overseas.

DSQ Principal Project Officer, Matthew Wilson, said the project arose as DSQ is implementing a suite of policies, procedures and practice guidelines for providing communication support to people with complex communications needs.

'We wanted to work with a University to get an academic perspective on the subject. It's the ideal partnership. It has afforded links with USQ, afforded links with first year Psychology students and given them exposure to work in a disability services area and the opportunity to reflect on research methodologies,' he said.

'And because we employ psychologists this project was a good way to provide broader education for Psychology students, who will be psychologists that we may one day employ.'

Through their research the students found that a small number of people who use FC had since completed a degree or were in the process of completing university studies. Some FC users were also now able to type on a keyboard without physical support or were developing speech later in life post-typing.

Director of Community and Specialist Services Development Branch of DSQ, Ann-Maree Byrne, said it was great to see such enthusiasm and interest in what is a relatively new area in service delivery and research.

'We were thrilled at the commitment of the students and staff. The report will be helpful in planning services and using as a research base. This is a controversial area and we wanted an independent point of view,' Ann-Maree said.

'Working with USQ Springfield was a good way to go as it worked for both parties.  Hopefully it is the beginning of an on-going relationship with the University,' she said.

Associate Dean of Sciences, Associate Professor Gerry Tehan, said the project arose out of Springfield's vision to enhance student learning through community engagement.

'This has been the students' first opportunity to do this.  It was a challenge for the students, one which they lived up to. It introduced them to an area where professional psychology practice is crucial but, students new to psychology do not know much about,' he said.

Media Contact: Fiona Taylor, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or +61 423 808 462