Associate Professor Andy Smidt

PhD
Associate Professor Andy Smidt

Email: andy.smidt@nd.edu.au

  • Biography

    Andy qualified as a speech pathologist in the UK, and has worked in the UK, South Africa and Australia.  Her primary clinical field is adults and children with lifelong disability, particularly those with severe-profound intellectual disabillity.  Andys research is focused on assessment of communication for those who are non verbal and specifically unaided AAC.  Andy is currently discipline lead for speech pathology at Notre Dame, setting up a new masters degree in speech pathology which will commence in mid 2026.  Prior to that, Andy worked at Southern Cross University and The University of Sydney. Andy was previously editor in chief for the Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology and is currently Associate Editor for the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

  • Research Expertise and Supervision

    Andy has supervised a number of PhD students and Hons students.  Her areas of expertise include Universal Design for Learning, Training communication partners, Key Word Sign.

  • Books

    • MOSAIC: A Model of Observational Screening for the Analysis of Interaction and Communication 3rd Edition 2020

  • Book Chapters

    • Smidt, A. (2025). Speech-language pathologists, augmentative and alternative communication, and palliative care. In Speech-Language Pathology and Palliative Care (pp. 80–110). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003241966-5
    • Smidt, A., & Watson, J. (2025). End-of-life considerations for individuals with intellectual disability. In Speech-Language Pathology and Palliative Care (pp. 132–149). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003241966-7

  • Journal Articles and Proceedings

    • 2025 Toohey, K., Quince, Z., Walker, F., Furness, L., Bissett, M., Daley, C., Allen, K., Munro, N., Smidt, A., Wilkie, J. C., Horstmanshof, L., Baltrotsky, K., & Naumann, F. (2025). Integrating generative AI in health education: A scoping review and implementation framework. Medical Science Educator. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-025-02578-3
    • 2025 Smidt, A. (2025). Top ten. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 27(1), 155–158. https://doi.org/10.1080/22000259.2025.2492475
    • 2025 Smidt, A., Chou, I., Dark, L., Wong, J. R., Brownlie, E., & Munro, N. (2025). A comparison of three modes of online key word sign training to determine efficacy and acceptability in comparison to in-person key word sign training. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2024.2439842  Q1
    • 2025 Leung, H.,  Smidt, A.,  Campbell, L., Arthur-Kelly, M. (2025) Structured observation and informant report assessments in intellectual disability; reflections of qualified and student speech language pathologists International Journal of Speech Language Therapy  Q1 https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2023.2297651 Views 4177 Altmetric 3
    • 2024 Korkalainen, M. J., McCabe, P., Smidt, A., & Morgan, C. (2024). Outcomes of a novel single case study incorporating Rapid Syllable Transition treatment, AAC and blended intervention in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study. Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2022.2071488 Q1
    • 2024 Tomlin, L., Smidt, A., & Bogart, E. (2024). Revising the Pragmatics Profile of Everyday Communication Skills for traumatic brain injury: An international Delphi study. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders / Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.13030 Views 2,284 Altmetric 4 Q1
    • 2023 Smidt, A., Stanford, T., Kminiak, D., Montague, I., & Buhne, J. (2023). Implementing UDL in a University Setting: Overcoming Barriers One Checkpoint at a Time. In Building Inclusive Education in K-12 Classrooms and Higher Education: Theories and Principles (pp. 39-58). IGI Global.
    • 2023 Smidt, A & Pebdani, R.N. (2023) Rethinking device abandonment: a capability approach focused model, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, DOI: 10.1080/07434618.2023.2199859 Views 10,687, 8 citations,  Altmetric 21 Q1
    • 2023 Tan V, Smidt A, Munro N, & Herman G (2023) Revising the Pragmatics Profile using a modified Delphi methodology to meet the assessment needs of current speech-language pathologists https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12922 Views 2466 Altmetric 13 Q1
    • 2023 Smidt, Wine, Blyth (2023) Writing client case reports for publication: a template to structure planning JCPSLP March 2023
    • 2023 Korkalainen, J., McCabe, P., Smidt, A., & Morgan, C. (2023). The Effectiveness of Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment in Improving Communication in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 1-11. Q1 https://doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2023.2218485 Views 196 Altmetric 6
    • 2022 Korkalainen, J., McCabe, P., Smidt, A., & Morgan, C. (2022). Motor speech interventions for children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 66(1), 110-125. vhttps://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2022.2071488 Views 438 Altmetric 6 Q1
    • 2022 Lamont, R., Stead A., Krikheli L., & Smidt. A (2022) AAC for people with motor neurone disease in palliative and end-of-life care JCPSLP July 2022
    • 2022 Korkalainen, M. J., McCabe, P., Smidt, A., & Morgan, C. (2022). Outcomes of a novel single case study incorporating Rapid Syllable Transition treatment, AAC and blended intervention in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1-10.iu https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2022.2071488 Q1
    • 2020 Smidt, A (2020) Invited Commentary on “Perceptions of frontline staff to training and communication tools to support adults with intellectual disabilities to report abuse and neglect: ‘something to work with’” (Johnson & Yee, 2020), Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 7:1, 87-92, https://doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2020.1716199
    • 2020 Yuile, L. E., Smidt, A., & Quinlan, S. (2020). Valuing relationships: The impact of a sensory program on the interactions of adolescents with severe-to-profound intellectual disabilities. J Intellect Disabil, 1744629520921730. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629520921730
    • 2019 Smidt, A (2019) TEAM: A taxonomy of clinical decision-making for communication
      intervention in people with severe intellectual disability
      including AAC Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech Language Pathology
    • 2019 Valentin, C; Smidt, A.; Barton R.; How, B.; Wilson, N. (2019) Mothers of a Child with Down syndrome: Perspectives on Non-invasive Prenatal Testing Midwifery Q1
    • 2019 Smidt, A, Markoulli, C., Wine, C., Chang, E., Turnbull, H., Huzmeli, A., Hines, M. (2019) Retention of signs following a one-day key word sign training. https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12257 British Journal of Learning Disabilities  Q1
    • 2018 Smidt, A., Wheeler, P., Peralta, L., Bell, A., (2018) Transformative and troublesome: reflective blogging for professional learning about university teaching. Reflective Practice, DOI: 10.1080/14623943.2018.1525345  Q1
    • 2018 How, B., Smidt, A., Wilson, N., Barton, R., Valentin, C. (2018) “We would have missed out so much had we terminated”: What fathers of a child with Down syndrome think about current non-invasive prenatal testing for Down syndrome. Journal of Intellectual Disability  DOI: 10.1177/1744629518787606
      Request to translate into Spanish and published as
      How, B., Smidt, A., Wilson, N., Barton, R., Valentin, C. (2018) Lo que los padres varones de un hijo con síndrome de Down piensan sobre el actual test prenatal no invasivo para el síndrome de Down Revista Síndrome De Down I Volumen 35, Septiembre 2018
    • 2018 Wilson. N.,  Smidt, A., Tehan, M (2018)    Men and boys with intellectual and developmental disability: a health and wellbeing double jeopardy? International Journal of Men’s Health e6-e13
    • 2015 Barton, R., Robinson, T., Llewellyn, G., Thorncraft, K., & Smidt, A. (2015). Rural and remote perspectives on disability and mental health research in Australia: 2000–2013. Advances in Mental Health, (ahead-of-print), 1-13. Q3
    • 2015 Corbould, H;  Smidt A., Power, E. (2015) Teaching ethics: application of ethical frameworks to an ethical dilemma based on a simulated client interview.  Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech and Language Pathology.
    • 2009 Smidt, A., Balandin, S., Sigafoos, J., & Reed, V (2009) The Kirkpatrick Model: A useful tool for evaluating training outcomes Journal of Intellectual and developmental Disability. 34(3), 266-274 impact factor 1.176
    • 2007 Smidt, A., Balandin, S., Reed, V., & Sigafoos, J. (2007). A Communication Training Program for Residential Staff Working With Adults with Challenging Behaviour: Pilot Data on Intervention Effects. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 20(1), 16-29. (Listed in Top 20 cited publications for 2009 by ISI)  Impact Factor 2.26

  • Conference Papers

    • Chou, I., Smidt, A., Dark, L., Brownlie, E. (2023) Sign retention following varying modes of Key Word Sign training. Speech Pathology Australia Conference Tasmania
    • Wong, J., Smidt, A., Dark, L., Brownlie, E. (2023) “it just fits into life”: acceptability and utility of 3 modes of online Key Word Sign training. Speech Pathology Australia Conference Tasmania
    • Smidt, A., Pebdani, R., Wine, C., (2023) Using the Capability Approach to conceptualise AAC acceptance: A workshop. Speech Pathology Australia Conference Tasmania
    • Tomlin, L., Smidt, A., Elbourne, E., (2023) Revising the Pragmatics Profile of Everyday Communication Skills for the traumatic brain injury population: An international Delphi study Speech Pathology Australia Conference Tasmania
    • Smidt, A., Humphreys, S., (2022) Keynote speaker Digicon Conference A experiential reflective encounter in a higher education classroom
    • Humphreys., Evans, D., Miller, B., Smidt, A. (2022) speaker Digicon Conference Using professional conversations to re-orient thinking about student engagement
    • Korkalainen, M.J., McCabe, P., Smidt, A. & Morgan, C. (2020) Outcomes of a novel single case study incorporating Rapid Syllable Transition treatment, AAC and blended intervention in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study. Poster presentation at Motor Speech Conference, US
    • Korkalainen, M.J., McCabe, P., Smidt, A. & Morgan, C. (2020) Outcomes of a novel single case study incorporating Rapid Syllable Transition treatment, AAC and blended intervention in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study. An abstract presentation at The Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy Conference, Australia.
    • Smidt, A., Tan, V., Munro, N., Herman, G. (2022) Creating a revised online version of the Pragmatics Profile of Everyday Communication using a Delphi methodology Speech Pathology Australia Conference Melbourne
    • Korkalainen, M.J., McCabe, P., Smidt, A. & Morgan, C. (2022) Motor speech interventions for children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review. An abstract presentation at The Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy Conference, Australia.
    • Smidt, A., Stanford, T., Clarke, S., Liu, D., (2022) UDL within the framework of a model of change,  UDL-IRN Summit
    • Smidt, A., Stanford, T., Clarke, S., Liu, D., (2022) Implementing UDL in a university setting: Overcoming barriers one checkpoint at a time,  UDL-IRN Summit
    • Smidt, A. & Huzmeli, A Telehealth Key Word Sign Training: Peaks and Pits AGOSCI Virtual Conference 2020
    • Korkalainen, J.; McCabe, P & Smidt, A. Improving functional communication outcomes for children with cerebral palsy. Motor Speech Conference, Santa Barbara. 2020
    • Huzmeli, A; Smidt, A; Hines, M; Turnbull, H: Chang,E Mixed-methods pilot study: The impact of telehealth KWS training on the communication of parent-child dyads ISAAC conference 2018
    • Cranko, G; Smidt, A A Communication Is Always An Issue Of Access ISAAC conference 2018
    • Smidt, A; Forster, S; Yuile, L; Quinlan, S. Sensengage: Sensory engagement for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities. ISAAC conference 2018
    • Lee, J.W.; Smidt, A; Dew, A; Cranko, G; Segal, L; Transitioning into adulthood: the relationships between mothers and daughters with cerebral palsy who use AAC ISAAC conference 2018
    • Smidt, A; Huzmeli, A; Where does AAC fit in the smorgasbord of interventions for people with CCN? A clinical decision-making framework. ISAAC conference 2018
    • Turnbull, H; Smidt, A;  Huzmeli, A; AACessing Student SLP Experiences: The value of learning about AAC for the future workforce ISAAC conference 2018
    • Korkalainen, J; McCabe, T; Smidt, A; (need to check the title) ISAAC conference 2018
    • Chang, E; Smidt, A; Hines, M; Turnbull, H A qualitative investigation of participant perspectives following a one-day KWS workshop Speech Pathology Australia Conference 2017
    • Markoulli, C; Wine, C; Smidt, A; Turnbull, H; Hines, M An evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of key word sign training for the learning and retention of signs  Speech Pathology Australia Conference 2017
    • Smidt, A  "Through the window:  what can we learn about a person’s communication from a ten-minute video clip?"  Poster at  IASSID world Congress Melbourne 2016
    • Smidt, A.,  Anderson, K.,  Hines, M., Huzmeli, A.  "Telerehabilitation: From innovation to adoption in disability service provision" IASSIDD World Congress 2016
    • Smidt, A. Evaluation of a Communication Training Program for Residential Staff Working with Adults with Challenging Behavior Paper presented at Gatlinburg conference San Diego March 2006
    • Smidt, A. Changing attitudes of staff who work with adults with developmental disabilities and challenging behaviour in residential settings Speech Pathology Australia conference Canberra 2005
    • Smidt, A. Training staff who work with adults with intellectual disability AGOSCI conference 2003
    • Smidt, A. Developed six Makaton advanced workshops and presented 3 of them with other Makaton presenters. AGOSCI conference 2003.
    • Smidt, A. Staff Training:  An Overview of Recent Research on Residential Care Staff Supporting People with Intellectual Disabilities with Communication Difficulties and Challenging Behaviour CHERI conference Westmead hospital 2002
    • Smidt, A.  MOSAIC (A model of Observational Screening for Assessment of Interaction and Communication).    Speech Pathology Australia conference Sydney 1999
    • Smidt, A. Assessment of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities:   You can’t see the wood for the trees.   Speech Pathology Australia Conference     Canberra March 1997
    • Smidt, A.  Individualised Sensory Environments, An approach to interaction for adults with Severe Communication Impairments. AGOSCI CONFERENCE October 1996

  • Professional Affiliations

    • Fellow of Speech Pathology Australia
    • Research consultant to Key Word Sign Australia