Staff profile

Dr David Trembath

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Speech Pathologist

Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering

School of Psychological Science
Department of Psychology
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre

Biological Sciences Building 2 (Room 253), Melbourne (Bundoora)

 

Qualifications

PhD, MAppSc, BAppSc

Membership of professional associations

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist. Member: Speech Pathology Australia, International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, International Society for Autism Research, Australasian Society for Autism Research, Australian Group on Severe Communication Impairment, Speech Pathologists Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists on Developmental Disability, SCOPE Victoria

Area of study

Psychology

Brief profile

Dr Trembath joined the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychological Science, in February 2010. He is a speech pathologist by background, having completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) at the University of Sydney in 2001, followed by a Master of Applied Science by Research (High Distinction) in 2005. During this time Dr Trembath worked in clinical, clinical education, and research assistant roles aimed at supporting individuals with autism and other lifelong disabilities, and their families.

Dr Trembath commenced his first formal academic role at the University of Sydney in 2006. He coordinated and taught subjects on communication and lifelong disability; augmentative and alternative communication; and professional development, and later coordinated the Graduate Entry Masters of Speech Language Pathology program. He was awarded his doctorate in 2010.

Dr Trembath's research interests relate to autism spectrum disorders; cross-cultural and interdisciplinary practice in speech pathology; assistive technology; inclusive education; and participation across the lifespan. The focus of his current research is on developing and evaluating communication interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and evidence based practice.

Research interests

Cognitive and developmental psychology

- Autism Spectrum Disorders

- Communication Treatments including Augmentative and Alternative Communication

- Evidence Based Practice

Recent publications

Older publications

Published Peer Reviewed Abstracts

  • Trembath, D., Iacono, T., & Caithness, T. (2012) The Effectiveness of Speech Generating Devices for Children with ASD. International Meeting for Autism Research. May 17-19, Toronto, Canada. Vivanti, G., Trembath, D., Dissanayake, C., & Iacono, T. (2012) Social and Non-Social Abilities Are Differentially Associated to Treatment Gains in Different Domains. International Meeting for Autism Research. May 17-19, Toronto, Canada.
  • Trembath, D. (2010) Evidence based practice in the treatment of children with autism. Speech Pathologists, Physiotherapists, and Occupational Therapists on Developmental DisabilityNational Conference. September 16-17, Sydney.
  • Trembath, D., Balandin, S., Stancliffe, R., & Togher, L. (2010) Volunteering and augmentative and alternative communication. International Society for Augmentative and Alternative biennial conference. July 26-31, Barcelona.
  • Trembath, D., Roberts, J., & Sutherland, R. (2010). Evidence based speech pathology practice for children with autism. Proceedings of the Speech Pathology Australia national conference. May 17-19, Melbourne, 29.
  • Trembath, D., Balandin, S., Togher, L., & Stancliffe, R. (2010). Volunteering and participation amongst adults with complex communication needs. Proceedings of the Speech Pathology Australia national conference. May 17-19, Melbourne, 79.
  • Trembath, D., Balandin, S., Stancliffe, R., & Togher, L. (2009). People power: Volunteering amongst people who use AAC. Proceedings of the Australian Group on Severe Communication Impairment national conference, May 7-9, Canberra
  • Trembath, D. & Morgan, C. (2009) Powerful teaching: Inter-professional case-based learning for allied health professionals. Proceedings of the Australian Group on Severe Communication Impairment national conference, May 7-9, Canberra
  • Trembath, D., Balandin, S., Togher, L., & Stancliffe, R. (2009). The experiences of adults with cerebral palsy and other lifelong disabilities who act as volunteers. Proceedings of the 3rd International Cerebral Palsy Conference, February 18-21, Sydney
  • Dew, A., Trembath, D., Dark, L., & Balandin, S. (2009) Reflection: encouraging and enabling people with cerebral palsy to narrate their stories. Proceedings of the 3rd International Cerebral Palsy Conference, February 18-21, Sydney, 46.
  • Cooper, L., Balandin, S., & Trembath, D. (2008). Loneliness in young adults with cerebral palsy. Proceedings of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Conference. August 2-7, Montreal, Canada. Electronic Resource.
  • Hyde, S., Charters, E., & Trembath, D. (2008) Building competency and connections through international cross cultural placements: A students’ perspective. Proceedings of the Speech Pathology Australia National Conference. May 25-29, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Trembath, D., Balandin, S., Lincoln, M., Sen, R, Hamblin, T, & Kaul, S. (2008) Developing students’ competencies in AAC: The role of international interdisciplinary cross-cultural clinical placements. Proceedings of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Conference. August 2-7, Montreal, Canada. Electronic Resource.
  • Cooper, L., Balandin, S., & Trembath, D. (2007) Are young adults with Cerebral Palsy Lonely? Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, May 28-31, Sydney, Australia.
  • Trembath, D., Balandin, S. & McCabe, P. (2007). Multisensory Environments for Children with Intellectual Disability.  Proceedings of the Australian Group on Severe Communication Impairment National Conference, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Trembath, D., Balandin, S., & Togher, L. (2007) Peer mediated teaching and AAC for preschool aged children with autism. Proceedings of the Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, May 28-31, Sydney, Australia.Trembath, D., Balandin, S., & Togher, L. (2006). Peer mediated naturalistic teaching and augmentative and alternative communication for preschool aged children with autism. Proceedings of the 12th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, July 30-August 5, Dusseldorf, Germany.
  • Bruno, J. & Trembath, D. (2004). ‘Behind the scenes’ at Camp Chatterbox. Proceedings of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Conference, October 4-12 Natal, Brazil, Electronic Resource.
  • Bruno, J., Trembath, D., Pazdera, K., & Hatch, P. (2004). A week-long AAC program: Effects on syntactical and navigational performance. Proceedings of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Conference, October 4-12 Natal, Brazil, Electronic Resource.
  • Trembath, D. & Balandin, S. (2004). Vocabulary selection for preschool age children with autism in Australia. Proceedings of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Conference, October 4-12 Natal, Brazil, Electronic Resource.
  • Wales, S, & Trembath, D. (2003). When in Bangladesh: Professionals adapting in a foreign place. Proceedings of the Australian Group on Severe Communication Impairment Conference, March 21-23, Sydney, Australia, Electronic Resource.Trembath, D., Wales, S., & Balandin, S. (2002) I have to eat what? – ‘Western’ theory in developing countries. Proceedings of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, August 10-15, Odense, Denmark, 383.

Invited Presentations

  • Lincoln, M., Trembath, D., McCabe, P., Purcell, A., Niehues, A., (2009). Helping students think like clinicians. Learning Revolution: Educational Expert Seminar Series, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney.
  • Trembath, D. (2008). Invited Presentation: The benefits of speech therapy for children with ASD. Autism: The Growing Epidemic, Autism Advisory and Support Service national conference, October 18, Sydney
  • Trembath, D. (2008). Working together: Therapists, organisations and volunteers who use augmentative and alternative communication. Speech Pathologists, Physiotherapists, and Occupational Therapists on Developmental DisabilityNational Conference. September 4-5, Sydney.
  • Trembath, D. (2007). Working with children with autism in community health settings: The influence of prognostic variables on clinical decision making. South Western Sydney Area Health Service Professional Development Expo. December 5, Sydney.
  • Trembath, D. (2003). Experiences of undergraduate students who are taught by lecturers who use AAC. Proceedings of the Pittsburgh Employment Conference, Shout Press, Pittsburgh, 9, 39-41.

Conference and Seminar Presentations  

  • Tan, X. Y., Trembath, D., Bloomberg, K., Iacono, T., & Caithness, T. (2012) A pilot study of Key Word Signing for non-speaking children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Speech Pathology Australia National Conference. June 25-27, Hobart, Australia.
  • Trembath, D., Iacono, T., West, D., & Lyon, K. (2012) Augmentative Communication Supports for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Speech Pathology Australia National Conference. June 25-27, Hobart, Australia.
  • Cheung, G., Trembath, D., Arciuli, J., & Togher, L. (2012) The Influence of Workplace Factors on Evidence-Based Speech Pathology Practice for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Speech Pathology Australia National Conference. June 25-27, Hobart, Australia.
  • Smith, M., Joffe, B., & Trembath, D. (2012) Effects of the Structured Use of Music and Movement on response contingency, and syntactic and semantic diversity in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Speech Pathology Australia National Conference. June 25-27, Hobart, Australia.
  • Trembath, D. (2012) Invited Seminar: Directions in the Development and Evaluation of Augmentative Communication Supports for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Melbourne University, May 8.
  • Trembath, D. (2011) Research Developments in ASD. Interagency Education Day, Armidale Community Health.
  • Lincoln, M., Trembath, D., McCabe, P., Purcell, A., Niehues, A., (2009). Helping students think like clinicians. Learning Revolution: Educational Expert Seminar Series, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney.
  • Trembath, D., & Balandin, S. (2009) Percentage of non-overlapping data and percentage of all non overlapping data. AAC and Cerebral palsy from research to practice. Seminar presented at University of Cologne, Germany, May 25- 30.
  • Trembath, D., & Balandin, S. (2009) Peer mediated interventions for children with autism. AAC and Cerebral palsy from research to practice. Seminar presented at University of Cologne, Germany, May 25- 30.
  • Trembath, D., Balandin, S., Togher, L., & Stancliffe, R. (2008). Volunteering outcomes for people with complex communication needs. Proceedings of The University of Sydney, Faculties of Health Research Conference, November 11-12, Leura, Australia
  • Trembath, D. Balandin, S., Togher, L. (2007) The experiences of volunteers who use augmentative and alternative communication systems. Proceedings of the Biennial Faculty of Health Sciences Postgraduate Research Student Conference. 
  • Trembath, D. (2007). Working with children with autism in community health settings: The influence of prognostic variables on clinical decision making. South Western Sydney Area Health Service Professional Development Expo. December 5, Sydney.
  • Trembath, D., Balandin, S., & Togher, L. (2006). Peer mediated teaching and high tech AAC for preschool aged children with autism. Paper presented at the inaugural Communication and Lifelong Disability Research Network Research Symposium, July 1, Lidcombe, Australia.
  • Trembath, D., Balandin, S., & Togher, L. (2005). Peer mediated interventions for preschool aged children with autism. Paper presented at the University of Sydney Faculty of Health Sciences Postgraduate Research Students Colloquium, December 1-2, Lidcombe, Australia.
  • Trembath, D., & Balandin, S. (2004). Selecting vocabulary for preschool aged children with autism. Proceedings of the Fourth College of Health Sciences Research Conference, November 3-4, Leura, Australia, 11-13.
  • England, M., Lincoln, M., Trembath, D. & Wales, S. (2002). Initial reflections on an endless journey: Professional development in developing countries. Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, May 19-23, Alice Springs, Australia.

 Grants and Competitive Tenders 

  • Trembath, D. (2011) A pilot comparison of electronic and non-electronic communication aids for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. La Trobe University, Faculty of Science, Technology, and Engineering Early Career Researcher Grant. $3,500.

  • Dissanayake, C., Trembath, D., Nadachowski, W. (2011) Tender to develop a Child and Family Outcomes Strategy Database for the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres.Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), $39,821.

  • Bloomberg, K., Trembath, D., & Iacono, T. (2010) A pilot study of key word signing for non-speaking children with autism. La Trobe University Faculty Grant. $6,656.
  • Joffe, B., Trembath, D., & Dissanayke, C. (2010) A pilot study of the Structured Use of Music and Movement (SUM&M) intervention program for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). La Trobe University Faculty Grant. $9,226.
  • Trembath, D., Dissanayake, C., Richdale, A., Iacono, T., and Togher, L. (2010) Practice is Research: The use of single case experimental designs in Clinical Practice. Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physiotherapists on Developmental Disability. $8,324.
  • Trembath, D. (2010) Parents as Partners in Evidence Based Speech Pathology Practice. Speech Pathology Australia Clinical Research Grant. $2,000
  • Dissanayake, C., & Trembath, D. (2010) Speech generating devices for non-speaking children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. La Trobe University Faculty Grant. $6,000.
  • Trembath, D., Dissanayake, C., Richdale, A., Iacono, T., and Togher, L. (2010) Supporting the use of single case experimental designs in clinical practice. La Trobe eResearch Grant. $1560.
  • Trembath, D., Roberts, J. M., Sutherland, R. (2009) Speech Pathology Australia Autism Spectrum Disorder Evidence Based Position Paper, $10,000
  • Trembath, D. (2009) University of Sydney Postgraduate Research Support Scheme, $643
  • Trembath, D., Clendon, S., Niehues, A., Butler, J., & Wu, A. (2008) Collaborative development of inter-professional case based learning materials, University of Sydney TIES Grant, $9,970
  • Trembath, D. (2008) University of Sydney Postgraduate Research Support Scheme, $643
  • Trembath, D. (2007) Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physiotherapists on Development Disability Research Grant $960
  • Trembath, D. (2007) Bruce Baker Semantic Compaction Research Grant, $2,792
  • Trembath, D. (2003) Speech Pathology Australia Postgraduate Research Grant $1,500
  • Trembath, D. (2003) University of Sydney Postgraduate Research Support Scheme $1,000
  • Trembath, D. (2003) Semantic Compaction USA Conference and Training Grant $3,000
  • Trembath, D. (2003) The Children’s Specialised Hospital, New Jersey, Travel Grant $1,500

Scholarships and Training Awards

  • Trembath, D. (2006-2009) National Health and Medical Research Council, Biomedical Postgraduate Scholarship, $83,549
  • Trembath, D. (2006-2009) Australian Postgraduate Award (declined in order to accept NHMRC scholarship) $58,848
  • Trembath, D. (2006) University of Sydney Alumni Scholarship for highest ranking Australian Postgraduate Award recipient in the Faculty of Health Sciences (declined in order to accept NHMRC scholarship) $5000.   

Research projects

Current Projects:

  • Attention to augmentative communication symbols and its relationship to learning: an eye tracking study.
  • Speech generating devices for non-speaking children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Supporting the use of single case experimental designs in clinical practice
  • Transition to school for children with disabilities: Parental views of the PrEPIC program
  • Parents as Partners in Evidence Based Speech Pathology Practice
  • A pilot comparison of electronic and non-electronic communication aids for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • Outcomes of the Non-electronic Communication Aids Scheme (NECAS) for adults with communication difficulties.
  • Barriers and enablers to the use of evidence based practice (EBP) by speech pathologists working for Ageing Disability and Home Care (NSW)

Current Student Projects:

  • Xuet Ying Tan - Acquisition and Generalization of Key Word Signing in Children with Autism
  • Michelle Smith - A pilot study of the Structured Use of Music and Movement (SUM&M) intervention program for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Rebecca McStay - Caring for a Child with Autism: A Developmental Perspective on Family Adaptation

Past Student Projects:

  • Elle Jane Auert – Parents’ expectations, awareness, and experiences of accessing evidence-based speech pathology services for their children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • Gladys Cheung – Evidence-based speech pathology practice for children with autism: The experiences of parents and professionals.
  • Anne Marie Murphy – Supporting parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to become informed consumers of evidence-based seech pathology practice.
  • Kirsten Stokes - Investigating the development of literacy in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • Lauren Cooper - The loneliness experiences of adults with cerebral palsy who use augmentative and alternative communication.