Abi Thirumanickam

Dr Abi Thirumanickam

Lecturer

School of Allied Health Science and Practice

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Abi is a certified practising speech pathologist and a lecturer of Speech Pathology in the School of Allied Health Science & Practice at the University of Adelaide. She is also the school-appointed Academic Portfolio Lead for Internationalisation. She has clinical experience working across public, private, community, and education sectors, focussing on enhancing participation for people with communication access needs and creating more accessible communities. She is the Treasurer for the South Australian branch of Speech Pathology Australia and holds several advisory board positions. She was involved in the development of the Working with Autistic People- Practice Guide for the national association. Her research on gaming interventions: The Minecraft™ Project have garnered global interest, including radio interview, panel discussions, book-chapter authorships and multiple workshop and seminar presentations.

Abi's research interest and expertise are situated in interdisciplinary, community-focused, inclusive research practices. She leads and conducts research co-designed with industry partners and people with lived experiences to ensure that the research outcomes are meaningful in real-world contexts. Her research explores capacity building through accessible, cost-effective means to enhance inclusion and active participation for people with communication difficulties and differences, including those with complex communication needs and people who use augmentative and alternative communication. 

Abi is available to supervise Honours, Masters and Ph.D candidates.

Abi is a recipient of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Emerging Leaders Development Grant. Through this grant, she is investigating the effectiveness of using off-the-shelf gaming such as Minecraft to facilitate social collaboration skills development in autistic youth. 

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2023 Trembath, D., Stainer, M., Caithness, T., Dissanayake, C., Eapen, V., Fordyce, K., . . . Tucker, M. (2023). Spoken Language Change in Children on the Autism Spectrum Receiving Community-Based Interventions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53(6), 2232-2245.
    DOI Scopus2 WoS2
    2022 Trembath, D., Stainer, M., Caithness, T., Dissanayake, C., Eapen, V., Fordyce, K., . . . Tucker, M. (2022). Spoken Language Change in Children on the Autism Spectrum Receiving Community-Based Interventions (Mar, 10.1007/s10803-022-05511-4, 2022). JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS, 53(6), 1 page.
    DOI
    2022 Koh, R. T. G., Thirumanickam, A., & Attrill, S. (2022). How are the mealtime experiences of people in residential aged care facilities informed by policy and best practice guidelines? A scoping review. BMC GERIATRICS, 22(1), 18 pages.
    DOI Europe PMC1
    2022 Amery, R., Thirumanickam, A., Barker, R., Lowell, A., Theodoros, D., & Raghavendra, P. (2022). Developing Augmentative and Alternative
    Communication Systems in Languages
    Other Than English: A Scoping Review. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 31(6), 20 pages.
    DOI
    2021 Trembath, D., Sutherland, R., Caithness, T., Dissanayake, C., Eapen, V., Fordyce, K., . . . Tucker, M. (2021). Clinician proposed predictors of spoken language outcomes for minimally verbal children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(2), 564-575.
    DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC1
    2019 Trembath, D., Westerveld, M. F., Teppala, S., Thirumanickam, A., Sulek, R., Rose, V., . . . Vivanti, G. (2019). Profiles of vocalization change in children with autism receiving early intervention. Autism Research, 12(5), 830-842.
    DOI Scopus10 WoS9 Europe PMC4
    2018 Thirumanickam, A., Raghavendra, P., McMillan, J. M., & van Steenbrugge, W. (2018). Effectiveness of video-based modelling to facilitate conversational turn taking of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder who use AAC. AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 34(4), 311-322.
    DOI Scopus11 WoS10 Europe PMC3
    2018 Thirumanickam, A., & Raghavendra, P. (2018). Video self-modeling is most effective when implemented alone, in a positive self-review format. Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention, 12(1-2), 12-17.
    DOI
    2011 Thirumanickam, A., Raghavendra, P., & Olsson, C. (2011). Participation and social networks of school-age children with complex communication needs: A descriptive study. AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 27(3), 195-204.
    DOI Scopus42 WoS41 Europe PMC19

  • Conference Items
    Year Citation
    2021 Thirumanickam, A., McMillan, J., Raghavendra, P., & van Steenbrugge, W. (2021). Video modelling and video self-modelling: Facilitating reciprocal conversation in adolescents with ASD using AAC. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Society for Augmentative Alternative Communication (ISAAC). Toronto, Canada.
    2019 Raghavendra, P., Rillotta, F., & Thirumanickam, A. (2019). SOCIAL MEDIA USE TRAINING FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: A STEP TOWARDS CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITY. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH. WILEY.
    WoS1
    2019 Rillotta, F., Raghavendra, P., & Thirumanickam, A. (2019). PROMOTING INCLUSION AND POSITIVE ATTITUDES OF STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY THROUGH DISABILITY AWARENESS AND INCLUSIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH. WILEY.
    2019 Raghavendra, P., Rillotta, F., Walker, R., Thirumanickam, A., & Balandin, S. (2019). IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE TRAINING FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES: A PILOT STUDY. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH. WILEY.
    2018 Thomas, V., Thirumanickam, A., & Gunson, J. (2018). What qualitative evidence exists about the sexual health literacy of young women on the autism spectrum? A systematic review. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR). Goldcoast.
    2018 Rillotta, F., Raghavendra, P., & Thirumanickam, A. (2018). Inclusion of students with disability at school: Impact of disability awareness training and physical activity on attitudes of students without disabilities. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Inclusive Education Summit.
    2018 Rillotta, F., Raghavendra, P., Thirumanickam, A., Walker, R., & Balandin, S. (2018). Outcomes of social media use training for adults with intellectual disabilities living in supported accommodation. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID) conference:" Let's Shake it Up; Human Rights for Everyone. Goldcoast, Queensland.
    2018 Trembath, D., Westerfeld, M., Teppala, S., Thirumanickam, A., Sulek, R., Rose, V., . . . Vivanti, G. (2018). Vocalisation changes in children with autism receiving early intervention. Poster session presented at the meeting of American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Boston, Massachusetts.
    2018 Thirumanickam, A., Raghavendra, P., McMillan, J., & van Steenbrugge, W. (2018). Video-based modelling interventions for individuals with autism who use AAC: From research to practice. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Society for Augmentative Alternative Communication (ISAAC).
    2018 Thirumanickam, A., Raghavendra, P., McMillan, J., & van Steenbrugge, W. (2018). Video-based modelling interventions to teach conversation skills to individuals with autism: A systematic review. Poster session presented at the meeting of Speech Pathology Australia National conference.
    2017 Thirumanickam, A., Raghavendra, P., McMillan, J., & van Steenbrugge, W. (2017). Teaching conversational turn-taking to adolescent AAC users with Autism, using Video modelling techniques. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australasian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR). Melbourne.
    2017 Thirumanickam, A., McMillan, J., Raghavendra, P., & van Steenbrugge, W. (2017). Watch & Learn: Video modelling interventions to facilitate conversation skills in adolescents with ASD using AAC. Poster session presented at the meeting of AGOSCI 2017.
    2017 Rillotta, F., Raghavendra, P., Walker, R., Balandin, S., & Thirumanickam, A. (2017). Enhancing social networks of adults with intellectual disabilities with social media use training. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability. Bangkok.
    2015 Thirumanickam, A., Raghavendra, P., McMillan, J., & van Steenbrugge, W. (2015). comparison of video modeling and video self-modeling: Teaching conversation skills to non-verbal adolescents with ASD. Poster session presented at the meeting of Asia Pacific Autism Conference (APAC). Brisbane.
    2015 Thirumanickam, A., McMillan, J., Raghavendra, P., & van Steenbrugge, W. (2015). Video modeling and self-modeling: Facilitating conversation skills in non-verbal adolescents with ASD. Poster session presented at the meeting of Research in Special Education (RISE). Adelaide.
    2013 Thirumanickam, A., Raghavendra, P., van Steenbrugge, W., & McMillan, J. (2013). Effectiveness of video modeling techniques to develop conversation skills of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Poster session presented at the meeting of Asia Pacific Autism Conference (APAC). Adelaide.
    2013 Thirumanickam, A., Raghavendra, P., McMillan, J., & van Steenbrugge, W. (2013). Facilitating conversation skills using video modelling in verbal and non-verbal individuals with ASD: A systematic review. Poster session presented at the meeting of AGOSCI 2013. Sydney.

  • Theses
    Year Citation
    2017 Thirumanickam, A. (2017). The Use of Packaged Video Modelling and Video Self-modelling Techniques to Facilitate Conversational Interactions for Adolescents with Autism, who Use AAC.. (PhD Thesis, Flinders University).
    2008 Thirumanickam, A. (2008). Participation profiles of primary school children with and without physical disability and complex communication needs: The relationship between communication abilities, social networks and involvement in activities. (Undergraduate Dissertation, Flinders University).
  • SAHSP Research Support Grant (2022)
  • Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Emerging Leaders Development Grant (2022) 
  • Healthy Development Adelaide Travel Grant (2021/2022)
  • SAHSP Conference Support Grant (2021)
  • SAHSP Strategic Research Grant (2021)
  • AGOSCI Annual Research Grant 2020 (2020)    
  • Healthy Development Adelaide Travel Grant (2018)
  • Flinders University Research Travel Grant (2016)
  • Golden Key International Honours Society
  • APEX AUTISM PhD RESEARCH GRANTS (2014)
  • Flinders University Academic Internship 2014 
  • Flinders University Research Scholarship (2012-2015)

2021

HLTH SC 1400 - Biosciences in Human Health A (course coordinator & teacher)

SPEECH 1000 - Introduction to Speech Pathology Practice (co-course coordinator & teacher)

2022

HLTH SC 1400 - Biosciences in Human Health A (course coordinator & teacher)

SPEECH 1000 - Introduction to Speech Pathology Practice (teacher)

SPEECH 2000 - Communication and Swallowing across the lifespan (course coordinator & teacher)

SPEECH 2004 - Clinical Reasoning in Professional Settings (course coordinator & teacher)

2023

HLTH SC 1400 - Biosciences in Human Health A (teacher)

SPEECH 2000 - Communication and Swallowing across the lifespan (course coordinator & teacher)

SPEECH 2004 - Clinical Reasoning in Professional Settings (course coordinator & teacher)

SPEECH 3000 - Speech Pathology Assessment and Management A (course coordinator & teacher)

SPEECH 3003 - Speech Pathology Assessment and Management B (teacher)

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2022 - ongoing External Supervisor Working title: Self-reporting pain for children with Cerebral Palsy and complex communication needs University of South Australia - Doctorate Full Time Emily Moore

  • Board Memberships
    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2021 - ongoing Advisory Board Member Supported Decision-Making in Behaviour Support Flinders University & Council for Intellectual Disability Australia
    2021 - ongoing Advisory Board Member ILC grant - SPA and AGOSCI: Communication Hub Speech Pathology Australia and AGOSCI Australia
    2021 - ongoing Member Working group: Practice Guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorder Speech Pathology Australia Australia

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2022 - ongoing Treasurer Speech Pathology Australia- SA branch Speech Pathology Australia Australia
    2022 - ongoing Representative School Internationalisation Lead Network University of Adelaied Australia
    2021 - ongoing Member Speech Pathology Australia- SA Branch Professional Education Committee Speech Pathology Australia Australia
    2020 - ongoing Member SAHSP Research Committee University of Adelaide Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2021 - ongoing Member American Speech Language Hearing Association - International affiliate United States
    2020 - ongoing Member AGOSCI Australia
    2017 - ongoing Member Healthy Development Adelaide Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member International Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Canada
    2016 - ongoing Member Australasian Society for Autism Research Australia
    2009 - ongoing Member Speech Pathology Australia Australia
    2006 - ongoing Member Golden Key International Honour Society Australia

  • Presentation
    Date Topic Presented at Institution Country
    2021 - 2021 Video-based intervention: How to use the “seeing is believing” motto to promote accessible intervention Live Online (online webinar) Speech Pathology Australia Australia
    2021 - ongoing Seeing is Believing: Video-based intervention Podcast Speech Pathology Australia Australia
    2021 - ongoing AAC for culturally and linguistically diverse groups New York University - online New York University United States
  • Position: Lecturer
  • Phone: 83132316
  • Email: abi.thirumanickam@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Engineering & Maths Sciences, floor 4
  • Org Unit: Speech Pathology
Connect With Me
External Profiles