A/Prof Anne Whitworth | Curtin University, Perth, Australia

Introduction

Overview

I am a researcher, clinician, and educator in the field of Speech Pathology at Curtin University. I have worked in communication disorders in acquired neurological disorders for over 30 years in Australia and the UK. My particular research interests are in developing and evaluating theoretically sound assessments and interventions for people with aphasia and cognitive-communication disorders (including TBI and dementia), and in both facilitating and measuring the real life impact of therapy for people with communication impairments. Discourse level language interventions, encompassing both lexical and sentence level therapies, are a major focus of my current research activity. I am Editor-in-Chief of the key discipline journal in Australia, International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. As a member of the European Collaboration of Science and Technology (COST) Action of the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATS), I work within the Working Group for Effective Interventions. I am passionate about enhancing the research capabilities of our profession, both in academia and clinical practice, exploring ideas from practice and supporting clinicians in carrying out research in the workplace. I work with the local charity Aphasia WA to support people with aphasia in the community.

Post Nominals

MSPA, FRCSLT

Employment History

I am currently Associate Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University. Between 1998-2011, I worked in Speech and Language Sciences, Newcastle University, UK, latterly as Head of Department, and in the Tavistock Aphasia Centre based at the University. Prior to my academic career, I worked clinically within the NHS and in a variety of acute, rehabilitation and community health settings throughout Western Australia and Tasmania.

Research Interests

My research interests are diverse, revolving around exploring the underpinnings of language breakdown in aphasia and dementia, differential diagnosis of impairments, and evaluating treatment effectiveness of approaches that make the greatest difference to a person's ability to engage in daily life. Cognitive neuropsychology has provided me with a useful springboard to understanding patterns and individual behaviour, in combination with theories of discourse and social models of language complementing intervention strategies.

I have developed a number of assessments and therapy protocols used widely by speech pathologists and am continuing to work on developing further protocols in the area of sentence processing and discourse. I have co-authored a popular textbook for aphasia, A Cognitive Neuropsychological Approach to the Assessment and Intervention in Aphasia (Whitworth, Webster, & Howard, 2005, 2014), a collaborative effort with NHS colleagues, and translated into Japanese (2016) and Chinese (2017). The Japanese edition arose from a long-standing collaboration with aphasiologists from Sophia University, Tokyo (1997-2017) which developed and published the SALA shitsugoshou kensa: Sophia Analysis of Language in Aphasia (Fujibayashi, Nagatsuka, Yoshida, Howard, Franklin, & Whitworth, 2004), a battery of psycholinguistic tests for assessment of Japanese aphasia.

My recent work has involved leading research into the effectiveness of NARNIA (a Novel Approach to Real-life communication: Narrative Intervention in Aphasia), a highly structured language therapy delivered using a natural interactive approach. To date, we have trialled NARNIA with people with post-stroke aphasia, primary progressive aphasia and traumatic brain injury. Alongside this work, I am committed to developing research capacity within the workplace through practice-academic partnerships to ensure alignment of clinical practice with research.

Membership

I hold memberships of:

Speech Pathology Australia
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (Fellowship awarded 2011)
British Aphasiology Society
Aphasia WA (Executive)

Supervision

Teaching Summary

My teaching revolves around cognitive neuroscience, acquired motor speech and language disorders, and cognitive communication. I supervise Honours, Graduate Entry Masters and PhD students. Current units that I co-ordinate and teach include:

Studies in Cognitive Neuroscience and Motor Speech Disorders (Undergraduate)
Cognitive Neuroscience and Motor Speech Disorders (Postgraduate)
Acquired Language and Cognitive-Communication Disorders (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)
Honours Project supervision
Masters Project mentoring

Publications

2020

Whitworth, A., N. Ng, L. Timms, and E. Power. 2020. "Exploring the Viability of NARNIA with Cognitive-Communication Difficulties: A Pilot Study." Seminars in Speech and Language 41 (1): 83-98.
Hill, E., M. Claessen, A. Whitworth, and M. Boyes. 2020. "Profiling variability and development of spoken discourse in mainstream adolescents." Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics

2019

Beales, A., A. Whitworth, J. Cartwright, P. K. Panegyres, and R. T. Kane. 2019. "Profiling sentence repetition deficits in primary progressive aphasia and Alzheimer's disease: Error patterns and association with digit span." Brain and Language 194: 1-11.
Beales, A., K. Bates, J. Cartwright, and A. Whitworth. 2019. "Lost for words: Perspectives and experiences of people with primary progressive aphasia and Alzheimer’s disease and their families of participation in a lexical retrieval intervention." International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 21 (5): 483-492.
Whitworth, A., and K. J. Ballard. 2019. "‘Joined-up practice’: Optimising recovery for people with aphasia and their family and friends." International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 21 (5): 435-437.
Rai, T., E. Godecke, E. Armstrong, D. Cadilhac, N. Ciccone, M. Rose, A. Holland, A. Whitworth, F. Ellery, G. Hankey, and 1 more contributors. 2019. "Fewer but Longer Treatment Sessions for Aphasia Are Associated with Better Recovery in The Very Early Rehabilitation in Speech (Verse) Clinical Trial Cohort." European Stroke Journal 4 (1 (Suppl)): 32-32.

2018

2017

Whitworth, A., and M. Claessen. 2017. "Making waves in our profession: Using research to drive clinical practice." International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 19 (3): 205-207.
Claessen, M., T. Beattie, R. Roberts, S. Leitao, A. Whitworth, and B. Dodd. 2017. "Is two too early? Assessing toddlers’ phonology." Speech, Language and Hearing 20 (2): 91-101.
Whitworth, A. 2017. "The tipping point: are we nearly there yet?." Aphasiology xx: 1-4.
Whitworth, A., and K. J. Ballard. 2017. "Connecting science and practice: Focus and directions for the next 10 years." International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 19 (6): 539-540.
Caley, S., A. Whitworth, and M. Claessen. 2017. "Can we separate verbs from their argument structure? A group study in aphasia." International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders 52 (1): 50-70.

2016

Beales, A., J. Cartwright, A. Whitworth, and P. K. Panegyres. 2016. "Exploring generalisation processes following lexical retrieval intervention in primary progressive aphasia." International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 18 (3): 299-314.
Godecke, E., E. A. Armstrong, T. Rai, S. Middleton, N. Ciccone, A. Whitworth, M. Rose, A. Holland, F. Ellery, G. J. Hankey, and 2 more contributors. 2016. "A randomized controlled trial of very early rehabilitation in speech after stroke." International Journal of Stroke 11 (5): 586-592.
Pearce, B., J. Cartwright, N. Cocks, and A. Whitworth. 2016. "Inhibitory control and traumatic brain injury: The association between executive control processes and social communication deficits." Brain Injury 30 (13-14): 1708-1717.

2015

Webster, J., A. Whitworth, and J. Morris. 2015. "Is it time to stop “fishing”? A review of generalisation following aphasia intervention." Aphasiology 29 (11): 1240-1264.
Whitworth, A., J. Webster, and D. Howard. 2015. "Argument structure deficit in aphasia: it’s not all about verbs." Aphasiology 29 (12): 1426-1447.
Whitworth, A., M. Claessen, S. Leitao, and J. Webster. 2015. "Beyond narrative: Is there an implicit structure to the way in which adults organise their discourse?." Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics 29 (6): 455-481.
Whitworth, A., S. Leitao, J. Cartwright, J. Webster, G. J. Hankey, J. Zach, D. Howard, and V. Wolz. 2015. "NARNIA: a new twist to an old tale. A pilot RCT to evaluate a multilevel approach to improving discourse in aphasia." Aphasiology 29 (11): 1345-1382.
Cartwright, J., B. Sanderson, A. Whitworth, E. Oliver, and N. Gribble. 2015. "Educating a future aged-care workforce: Shaping positive attitudes and developing collaborative practice capabilities." Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology 17 (2): 85-90.
Whitworth, A., S. K. Leitao, M. Breese, L. Cato, and J. Cartwright. 2015. "Volunteer-led aphasia groups in the community: Critical success factors in their sustainability." Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology 17: 68-74.
Whitworth, A., and J. Webster. 2015. "Generalisation: exploring change across language levels." Aphasiology 29 (11): 1235-1239.
Whitworth, A., J. Webster, and D. Howard. 2015. "Shitsugosho rinsho no ninchi-shinkei-shinrigaku-teki apurouchi: hyouka to rihabiriteishon no tameno gaido bukku. [A cognitive neuropsychological approach to assessment and intervention in Aphasia: A clinician's guide, 2014]." Tokyo: Kyodo-Ishi Shuppansha Co Lty.
2015. "Stroke 2015, Combined 26th ASM of the Stroke Society of Australasia and 11th Australasian Nursing & Allied Health Stroke Conference SMART STROKES, Melbourne, Australia." Int J Stroke 10 Suppl 3: 1-84.

2014

Whitworth, A., J. Webster, and D. Howard. 2014. "A Cognitive Neuropsychological Approach to Assessment and Intervention in Aphasia: A Clinician's Guide." 2. United Kingdom: Psychology Press Ltd.
Whitworth, A. B., J. Webster, and J. Morris. 2014. "Acquired Aphasia." In Cambridge Handbook of Communication Disorders Cummings, L., 436-456: Cambridge University Press.
Ferreira, M., D. Oliveira, A. Correia, M. dos Anjos Dixie, S. Pós de Mina, and A. B. Whitworth. 2014. "Cross-cultural adaptation process of the “Conversation Analysis Profile for People with Aphasia” to the Portuguese language." Dementia & Neuropsychologia 8 (3): 223-226.

2013

Mumby, K., and A. Whitworth. 2013. "Adjustment processes in chronic aphasia after stroke: Exploring multiple perspectives in the context of a community-based intervention." Aphasiology 27 (4): 462-489.
Webster, J., and A. Whitworth. 2013. "AL: Accessing the predicate argument structure." In The Aphasia Therapy File: Volume 2 Unknown., 219-230 -: -.
Sanderson, B., and A. Whitworth. 2013. "Translating interprofessional education and practice into the education and health care setting: The speech pathology perspective." Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology 15: 142-147.

2012

Mumby, K., and A. Whitworth. 2012. "Evaluating the effectiveness of intervention in long-term aphasia post-stroke: the experience from CHANT (Communication Hub for Aphasia in North Tyneside)." International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders 47: 398-412.
Webster, J., and A. Whitworth. 2012. "Treating verbs in aphasia: exploring the impact of therapy at the single word and sentence levels." International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders 47: 619-636.
Whitworth, A., S. Haining, and H. Stringer. 2012. "Enhancing research capacity across healthcare and higher education sectors: Development and evaluation of an integrated model." BMC Health Services Research 12 (1)
Whitworth, A., J. Webster, and D. Howard. 2012. "Clinical aphasiology and CNP: A pragmatic alliance. Commentary on Laine and Martin, 'Cognitive neuropsychology has been, is, and will be significant to aphasiology'." Aphasiology 26: 1386-1390.

2011

Waldron, H., A. Whitworth, and D. Howard. 2011. "Therapy for phonological assembly difficulties: A case series." Aphasiology 25: 434-455.
Waldron, H., A. Whitworth, and D. Howard. 2011. "Comparing monitoring and production based approaches to the treatment of phonological assembly difficulties in aphasia." Aphasiology 25: 1153-1173.
Plant, C., J. Webster, and A. Whitworth. 2011. "Category norm data and relationships with lexical frequency and typicality within verb semantic categories." Behavior Research Methods 43: 424-440.

2010

whitworth, A. 2010. "Using Narrative as a Bridge: Linking Language Processing Models with Real-Life Communication." Seminars in Speech and language 31 (1): 64-75.
Whitworth, A. B. 2010. "Thematic role assignment in word retrieval deficits in aphasia."
Whitworth, A. 2010. "Language Disorders in Children and Adults: New Issues in Research and Practice." INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 45 (2): 260-260.

2006

Turner, S., and A. Whitworth. 2006. "Clinicians' perceptions of candidacy for conversation partner training in aphasia: How do we select candidates for therapy and do we get it right?." Aphasiology 20 (7): 616-643.
Turner, S., and A. Whitworth. 2006. "Conversational partner training programmes in aphasia: A review of key themes and participants' roles." Aphasiology 20 (6): 483-510.

2001

Lambon Ralph, M. A., J. Powell, D. Howard, A. B. Whitworth, P. Garrard, and J. R. Hodges. 2001. "Semantic memory is impaired in both dementia with Lewy bodies and dementia of Alzheimer's type: A comparative neuropsychological study and literature review." Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 70 (2): 149-156.

1999

Whitworth, A., R. Lesser, and I. McKeith. 1999. "Profiling conversation in Parkinson's disease with cognitive impairment." Aphasiology 13 (4-5): 407-425.

1998

Perkins, L., A. Whitworth, and R. Lesser. 1998. "Conversing in dementia: A conversation analytic approach." Journal of Neurolinguistics 11 (1-2): 33-53.

1995

Whitworth, A. 1995. "Characterising thematic role assignment in aphasic sentence production: procedures for elicited and spontaneous output." International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders 30 (3): 384-399.
Whitworth, A. 1995. "Characterising thematic role assignment in aphasic sentence production: procedures for elicited and spontaneous output." International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders 30 (3): 384-399.

1983

Whitworth, A. B. 1983. "Emergence of the concepts 'word' and 'sound' in 4-7 year old children. Observed through response to verbal stimuli." Australian Journal of Human Communication Disorders, 11 (1): 25-40.

Associate Professor Anne Whitworth