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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Sarah El-Wahsh began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) with First Class Honours from The University of Sydney, laying a strong foundation in clinical linguistics and communication sciences. Her passion for evidence-based care and neurocommunication led her to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), where she focused on innovative, patient-centered approaches to neurological disorders and speech-language impairments.
💼 Professional Endeavors
Dr. El-Wahsh holds a dual appointment as a Lecturer at The University of Sydney (USYD) and a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist (CPSP) at Concord Repatriation General Hospital (CRGH). She blends academic rigor with clinical expertise, training future clinicians while delivering care in a tertiary hospital. Her work bridges university research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and frontline patient care across Australia.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus On Speech pathology
Dr. El-Wahsh is a leading clinician-researcher in speech pathology, specializing in progressive neurological diseases such as motor neurone disease (MND), multiple sclerosis (MS), and dementia. She has led/co-led over 17 research projects, including international surveys, outcome measure development, and qualitative studies. Her work focuses on voice banking, communication impairments, and the development/validation of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Notably, her research in MND has identified key gaps in care, shaping global conversations around voice preservation and person-centered treatment.
🌍 Impact and Influence
Her research has driven real-world change, influencing clinical practices across speech pathology. PROMs she co-developed are now used in clinics worldwide and translated into 7+ languages. She has helped shape Australian MND Clinical Guidelines, ensuring multidisciplinary, evidence-based care. As a co-facilitator of national and international communities of practice, including the Voice Banking COP and NSW MND support groups, she leads knowledge sharing and implementation at scale.
🧠 Research Skills
Dr. El-Wahsh possesses a robust skill set in qualitative and quantitative research methods, survey design, PROM development and translation, and neurocommunication diagnostics. Her capabilities extend to interdisciplinary care models, palliative communication, and stuttering treatment, along with leading focus groups, conducting regression analysis, and applying evidence-based methodologies in both academic and clinical settings.
🏅 Awards and Honors
Throughout her career, Dr. El-Wahsh has received multiple awards for academic and clinical excellence. Her recognition by the Organizing Committee of the Global Best Achievements Awards, particularly the provisional selection of her publication for the Best Researcher Award, stands as a testament to her outstanding contributions in translational research and neurological speech therapy.
🏛️ Legacy and Future Contributions
Dr. El-Wahsh’s work stands at the intersection of research, policy, and practice. Her legacy lies in amplifying patient voices, enhancing communication access, and training a new generation of speech pathologists equipped for complex neurological care. Looking ahead, she aims to expand her global research collaborations, continue shaping clinical guidelines, and advocate for inclusive, person-centered healthcare communication models that empower individuals living with debilitating diseases.
Publications Top Notes
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🧠 Prevalence of self-reported language impairment in multiple sclerosis and the association with health-related quality of life
Journal: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
Year: 2020
Authors: S El-Wahsh, K Ballard, F Kumfor, H Bogaardt
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📋 Development and validation of a speech pathology-specific questionnaire for persons with multiple sclerosis (SMS)
Journal: International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Year: 2019
Authors: S El-Wahsh, R Heard, H Bogaardt
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🧾 Development and validation of the communication and language assessment questionnaire for persons with multiple sclerosis (CLAMS)
Journal: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
Year: 2020
Authors: S El-Wahsh, H Bogaardt, F Kumfor, K Ballard
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📉 Variables associated with self-reported language impairment in multiple sclerosis: A regression analysis
Journal: International Journal of MS Care
Year: 2021
Authors: S El-Wahsh, R Heard, H Bogaardt, F Kumfor, KJ Ballard
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👵 Communication interventions for people with dementia and their communication partners
Book Chapter in: Dementia Rehabilitation
Year: 2021
Authors: S El-Wahsh, P Monroe, F Kumfor, K Ballard
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🧑⚕️ Perspectives from the patient: A content analysis of communication changes, impact, and strategies to facilitate communication in multiple sclerosis
Journal: International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Year: 2022
Authors: S El-Wahsh, C Layfield, H Bogaardt, F Kumfor, KJ Ballard
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💬 Managing communication changes in persons with multiple sclerosis: Findings from qualitative focus groups
Journal: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders
Year: 2022
Authors: S El‐Wahsh, S Balandin, H Bogaardt, F Kumfor, KJ Ballard
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🌐 Adaptation and validation of the Greek version of the Speech Pathology-Specific Questionnaire for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (SMS)
Journal: International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Year: 2024
Authors: N Dimitriou, C Bakirtzis, E Nteli, A Nousia, V Siokas, S Malefaki, … S El-Wahsh
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🌍 Adaptation and validation of the Greek version of the Communication and Language Assessment questionnaire for persons with Multiple Sclerosis (CLAMS)
Journal: Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
Year: 2025
Authors: N Dimitriou, G Nasios, A Nousia, E Anyfantis, L Messinis, … S El-Wahsh
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🗣️ Speech-language pathologists’ confidence levels and professional development needs in motor neurone disease: An Australian survey
Journal: International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Year: 2025
Authors: S El-Wahsh, S Bonnor, K Byrne, V Maynes, C McCluskey, R Heatley, …
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🧩 Communication deficits in multiple sclerosis: Interactions with cognitive dysfunction and their impact on employment status
Journal: Multiple Sclerosis Journal
Year: 2025
Authors: C Bakirtzis, N Dimitriou, T Moysiadis, S El-Wahsh, A Andravizou, E Nteli, …
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🗨️ Other perspectives from the patient: A content analysis of communication changes, impact, and strategies to facilitate communication in multiple sclerosis
Journal: Multiple Sclerosis Journal (Supplement)
Year: 2021
Authors: S El-Wahsh, C Layfield, H Bogaardt, F Kumfor, K Ballard
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🙋 What people with multiple sclerosis need and want to better manage communication changes: Findings from qualitative focus groups
Journal: Multiple Sclerosis Journal (Supplement)
Year: 2021
Authors: S El-Wahsh, S Balandin, H Bogaardt, F Kumfor, K Ballard
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🚧 Bridging the gap: Self-reported communication changes in MS, restricted communicative participation, and the lack of speech pathology services
Journal: Multiple Sclerosis Journal (Supplement)
Year: 2020
Authors: S El-Wahsh, H Bogaardt, F Kumfor, K Ballard