Associate Professor Kimberley Docking
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Associate Professor Kimberley Docking

PhD, BSpPath(Hons 1), FHEA, MSPA, CPSP
Head of Discipline, Speech Pathology
Director, NeuroKids Research Laboratory
Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine &
Health
Associate Professor Kimberley Docking

Associate Professor Kimberley Docking is Head of the Discipline of Speech Pathology in the Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health at The University of Sydney. She is also Director of the NeuroKids Research Laboratory, which aims to improve the quality of life, communication, and swallowing of children surviving major childhood cancer and acquired brain injury. Kimberley is also an Honorary Conjoint Research Fellow in Speech Pathology in the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.

Kimberley led development of the world-first NHMRC-approved Clinical Practice Guideline for the management of communication and swallowing disorders in children diagnosed with brain tumour and leukemia. She co-chaired the Sydney Cancer Conference 2021: Bridging Research and Practice, which was awarded awarded “Consumers Included” status bringing together consumers, researchers from bench to bedside, clinicians, families, sponsors, and industry partners.

Kimberley's research interests are in paediatric medical speech pathology, including improving quality of life, communication and swallowing outcomes in children diagnosed with brain cancer, leukaemia, acquired brain injury, and examining the impacts of tongue-tie and other respiratory medicine conditions on communication and feeding outcomes.

  • Speech Pathology Australia - Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
  • Academy of Aphasia
  • Australiasian Society for the Study of Brain Inpairment (ASSBI)
  • Cancer Research Network, The University of Sydney
  • Sydney Cancer Partners
  • Posterior Fossa Society
  • International Association of Logopedics & Phoniatrics (IALP)
Cancer, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Project titleResearch student
Exploring speech and language outcomes in children with sleep disordered breathing.Dania MOHAMMED
Speech Pathology Practice for adults with multiple comorbidities – A look into cancer related stroke.Kavija VIGNESWARAN

Publications

Book Chapters

  • Docking, K., Paquier, P., Morgan, A. (2017). Childhood Brain Tumour. In Louise Cummings (Eds.), Research in Clinical Pragmatics, (pp. 131-164). Cham: Springer. [More Information]
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B. (2008). Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. In McNeil MR (Eds.), Clinical Management of Sensorimotor Speech Disorders, (pp. 311-313). New York: Thieme Medical Publishers.
  • Murdoch, B., Docking, K. (2006). Neurogenic Speech Disorders in Adults and Children. In Noma B. Anderson, George H. Shames (Eds.), Human Communication Disorders: An Introduction, (pp. 291-324). United States: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Journals

  • Akbari, D., Bogaardt, H., Docking, K. (2024). Ankyloglossia in Australia: Experiences and perspectives of parents and caregivers. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 183, 112046. [More Information]
  • Akbari, D., Bogaardt, H., Lau, T., Docking, K. (2023). Ankyloglossia in Australia: Practices of health professionals. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 171. [More Information]
  • Akbari, D., Bogaardt, H., Docking, K. (2023). Ankyloglossia in Central Australia: Prevalence, identification and management in infants. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 170, 111604. [More Information]

Conferences

  • Frith, M., Togher, L., Ferguson, A., Levick, W., Docking, K. (2015). Speech pathology approach to the assessment of cognitive communication skills after TBI: Do we all do it the same way? 5th International Neuropsychological Society/Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment Pacific Rim Conference, Unkown.
  • Broome, K., McCabe, P., Docking, K. (2014). Speech development in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Speech Pathology Australia: 2014 National Conference.
  • Chami, S., Munro, N., Docking, K., McGregor, K., Arciuli, J., Baker, E. (2013). Executive Function Development in Typically Developing Australian Children as Measured by Semantic Fluency. 2013 ASHA Convention, Chicago, USA.

Report

  • Docking, K., Hodges, R., Campbell, L., Chami, S., Ribeiro Knijnik, S., Arazzi, E., Paquier, P., Dalla- Pozza, L., Wakefield, C., Waugh, M., et al (2020). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Communication and Swallowing in Children Diagnosed with Childhood Brain Tumour or Leukaemia.

2024

  • Akbari, D., Bogaardt, H., Docking, K. (2024). Ankyloglossia in Australia: Experiences and perspectives of parents and caregivers. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 183, 112046. [More Information]

2023

  • Akbari, D., Bogaardt, H., Lau, T., Docking, K. (2023). Ankyloglossia in Australia: Practices of health professionals. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 171. [More Information]
  • Akbari, D., Bogaardt, H., Docking, K. (2023). Ankyloglossia in Central Australia: Prevalence, identification and management in infants. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 170, 111604. [More Information]
  • Carter, C., Boisvert, I., Docking, K. (2023). Communication, academic and social outcomes of childhood cancer survivors with hearing loss: A systematic review. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, 70(10), e30595. [More Information]

2022

  • Chami, S., Hodges, R., Campbell, E., Ribeiro Knijnik, S., Docking, K. (2022). Communication and swallowing management in childhood brain tumour or leukaemia: A survey of health professionals and consumers. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 24(4), 395-406. [More Information]
  • Chami, S., Charalambous, C., Ribeiro Knijnik, S., Docking, K. (2022). Language and executive function skills as predictors of semantic fluency performance in pre-school children. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 24(6), 626-635. [More Information]
  • Broome, K., McCabe, P., Docking, K., Doble, M., Carrigg, B. (2022). Speech Development Across Subgroups of Autistic Children: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. [More Information]

2021

  • Paquier, P., Walsh, K., Docking, K., Hartley, H., Kumar, R., Catsman-Berrevoets, C. (2021). Augmentative and alternative communication in pCMS. Child's Nervous System, 37(8), 2439-2440. [More Information]
  • Hodges, R., Campbell, L., Chami, S., Ribeiro Knijnik, S., Docking, K. (2021). Communication and swallowing outcomes of children diagnosed with childhood brain tumor or leukemia: A systematic review. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, 68(2), e28809-1-e28809-15. [More Information]
  • Docking, K., Ribeiro Knijnik, S. (2021). Prospective longitudinal decline in cognitive-communication skills following treatment for childhood brain tumor. Brain Injury, 35(11), 1472-1479. [More Information]

2020

  • Docking, K., Hodges, R., Campbell, L., Chami, S., Ribeiro Knijnik, S., Arazzi, E., Paquier, P., Dalla- Pozza, L., Wakefield, C., Waugh, M., et al (2020). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Communication and Swallowing in Children Diagnosed with Childhood Brain Tumour or Leukaemia.
  • Paquier, P., Walsh, K., Docking, K., Hartley, H., Kumar, R., Catsman-Berrevoets, C. (2020). Post-operative cerebellar mutism syndrome: rehabilitation issues. Child's Nervous System, 36(6), 1215-1222. [More Information]
  • Wearne, T., Anderson, V., Catroppa, C., Morgan, A., Ponsford, J., Tate, R., Ownsworth, T., Togher, L., Fleming, J., Douglas, J., Docking, K., Sigmundsdottir, L., et al (2020). Psychosocial functioning following moderateto-severe pediatric traumatic brain injury: recommended outcome instruments for research and remediation studies. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 30(5), 973-987. [More Information]

2019

  • Chea, R., Munro, N., Drevensek, S., Brady, C., Docking, K. (2019). Vocabulary skills of school-age children with acquired brain injury: an exploration of tiered word knowledge and naming errors. Brain Injury, 33(5), 657-669. [More Information]

2018

  • Chami, S., Munro, N., Docking, K., McGregor, K., Arciuli, J., Baker, E., Heard, R. (2018). Changes in semantic fluency across childhood: normative data from Australian-English speakers. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(2), 262-273. [More Information]

2017

  • Broome, K., McCabe, P., Docking, K., Doble, M. (2017). A systematic review of speech assessments for children with autism spectrum disorder: Recommendations for best practice. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 26(3), 1011-1029. [More Information]
  • Docking, K., Paquier, P., Morgan, A. (2017). Childhood Brain Tumour. In Louise Cummings (Eds.), Research in Clinical Pragmatics, (pp. 131-164). Cham: Springer. [More Information]
  • Cordier, R., Munro, N., Wilkes-Gillan, S., Ling, L., Docking, K., Pearce, W. (2017). Evaluating the pragmatic language skills of children with ADHD and typically developing playmates following a pilot parent-delivered play-based intervention. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 64(1), 11-23. [More Information]

2016

  • Docking, K. (2016). Many survivors of childhood brain cancer have cognitive difficulties, but these can be treated. The Conversation, (April 13, 2016 2.58pm AEST).
  • Docking, K., Munro, N., Marshall, T., Togher, L. (2016). Narrative skills of children treated for brain tumours: The impact of tumour and treatment related variables on microstructure and macrostructure. Brain Injury, 30(8), 1005-1018. [More Information]
  • Hodges, R., Munro, N., Baker, E., McGregor, K., Docking, K., Arciuli, J. (2016). The role of elicited verbal imitation in toddlers' word learning. Journal of Child Language, 43(2), 457-471. [More Information]

2015

  • Frith, M., Togher, L., Ferguson, A., Levick, W., Docking, K. (2015). Speech pathology approach to the assessment of cognitive communication skills after TBI: Do we all do it the same way? 5th International Neuropsychological Society/Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment Pacific Rim Conference, Unkown.

2014

  • Frith, M., Togher, L., Ferguson, A., Levick, W., Docking, K. (2014). Assessment practices of speech-language pathologists for cognitive-communication disorders following traumatic brain injury in adults: An international survey. Brain Injury, 28(13-14), 1657-1666. [More Information]
  • Broome, K., McCabe, P., Docking, K. (2014). Speech development in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Speech Pathology Australia: 2014 National Conference.

2013

  • Docking, K., Munro, N., Cordier, R., Ellis, P. (2013). Examining the language skills of children with ADHD following a play-based intervention. Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 29(3), 291-304. [More Information]
  • Chami, S., Munro, N., Docking, K., McGregor, K., Arciuli, J., Baker, E. (2013). Executive Function Development in Typically Developing Australian Children as Measured by Semantic Fluency. 2013 ASHA Convention, Chicago, USA.
  • Cordier, J., Munro, N., Wilkes-Gillan, S., Docking, K. (2013). The pragmatic language abilities of children with ADHD following a play-based intervention involving peer-to-peer interactions. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 15(4), 416-428. [More Information]

2012

  • Frith, M., Togher, L., Ferguson, A., Levick, W., Docking, K. (2012). Assessment of discourse after TBI: International Speech Pathology Practice. 7th World Congress for NeuroRehabilitation, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Elbourn, E., Togher, L., Power, E., Docking, K. (2012). Casual conversations between individuals with traumatic brain injury and their friends. Brain Injury, 26(3), 221-233. [More Information]
  • Lew, J., Purcell, A., Doble, M., Docking, K. (2012). Let's revisit speech perception training - does it work? 11th Asia Pacific Congress on Deafness, Unkown.

2011

  • Wilkes-Gillan, S., Cordier, J., Bundy, A., Docking, K., Munro, N. (2011). A play-based intervention for children with ADHD: A pilot study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58(4), 231-240. [More Information]
  • Wilkes-Gillan, S., Cordier, J., Bundy, A., Docking, K., Munro, N. (2011). A play-based intervention for children with ADHD: A pilot study. OT Australia 24th National Conference, Queensland.
  • Lewis, F., Murdoch, B., Docking, K. (2011). An Investigation of General and High-Level Language Skills in Children Treated with Central Nervous System-Targeted Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Journal Of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 19(2), 27-36.

2010

  • Baker, E., Munro, N., McGregor, K., Docking, K., Arciuli, J. (2010). A new tool for assessing toddlers' production of polysyllablic words. 2010 ASHA Convention, Philadelphia, USA: American Speech-Language Hearing Associaton.
  • Lewis, F., Murdoch, B., Barwood, C., Docking, K., Gellatly, A. (2010). Language Outcomes Following Treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia with CNS Chemotherapy: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study. Speech, Language and Hearing, 13(1), 51-60.
  • Munro, N., Baker, E., McGregor, K., Docking, K., Arciuli, J. (2010). Toddlers' Fast Mapping & Retention of Polysyllabic Words. 2010 ASHA Convention, Philadelphia, USA: American Speech-Language Hearing Associaton.

2009

  • Bogart, E., Togher, L., Power, E., Docking, K. (2009). Casual conversations between individuals with traumatic brain injury and their friends: A pilot study. Speech Pathology Australia National Conference 2009, Adelaide: Speech Pathology Australia.
  • Elbourn, E., Togher, L., Power, E., Docking, K. (2009). Casual conversations between patients with traumatic brian injury and their friends. Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Service, Ryde.
  • Elbourn, E., Togher, L., Power, E., Docking, K. (2009). Casual conversations following traumatic brain injury - A pilot study. Speech Pathology Australia National Conference 2009, Adelaide: Speech Pathology Australia.

2008

  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B. (2008). Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. In McNeil MR (Eds.), Clinical Management of Sensorimotor Speech Disorders, (pp. 311-313). New York: Thieme Medical Publishers.

2007

  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B. (2007). Language outcomes related to childhood tumour in the cerebellum. 27th World Congress of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B. (2007). Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and language in childhood: Pre- and post-injury trends. Brain and Language, 103(1-2), 236-237. [More Information]
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Suppiah, R. (2007). The impact of a cerebellar tumour on language function in childhood. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 59(4), 190-200. [More Information]

2006

  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B. (2006). Long-term linguistic deficits subsequent to stroke in children. Brain and Language, 99, 185-186.
  • Murdoch, B., Docking, K. (2006). Neurogenic Speech Disorders in Adults and Children. In Noma B. Anderson, George H. Shames (Eds.), Human Communication Disorders: An Introduction, (pp. 291-324). United States: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B. (2006). The impact of a cerebellar lesion upon language in childhood: A review of the literature followed by cerebellar tumour case examples. International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) Aphasia Committee Meeting, Brussels, Belgium.

2005

  • Docking, K., Ward, E., Murdoch, B. (2005). Language outcomes subsequent to treatment of brainstem tumour in childhood. NeuroRehabilitation, 20(2), 107-124.
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B. (2005). Meta-Analysis of Evidence for Linguistic Impairment Associated with Treatment for Childhood Cancer. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, 45(4), 549.

2004

  • Murdoch, B., Docking, K., Ward, E. (2004). Language and phonological awareness abilities of children treated for posterior fossa tumour. XXVIth World Congress of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics.
  • Murdoch, B., Docking, K., Ward, E. (2004). Language and Phonological Awareness Abilities of Children treated for Posterior Fossa Tumour. In Franco Fabbro (Eds.), Neurogenic Language Disorders in Children, (pp. 87-126). United States: Emerald Group Publishing.
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Ward, E. (2004). Linguistic changes following treatment for childhood brain tumour: A prospective analysis of 2 cases. 26th World Congress of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP), Brisbane, Australia: Speech Pathology Australia.

2003

  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Ward, E. (2003). Cerebellar language and cognitive functions in childhood: A comparative review of the clinical research. Aphasiology, 17(12), 1153-1161. [More Information]
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Ward, E. (2003). General language abilities following management of childhood supratentorial tumour: Part I. Acta Neuropsychologica, 1(3), 260-283.
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Ward, E. (2003). High-level language and phonological awareness abilities of children following management for supratentorial tumour: Part II. Acta Neuropsychologica, 1(4), 367-381.

2001

  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Ward, E. (2001). Acquired language disorders in children following treatment for posterior fossa tumour. 25th World Congress of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics, Montreal, Canada.
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Ward, E. (2001). Linking linguistic recovery in mild traumatic brain injury in childhood. 17th International Neurotrauma Symposium, Adelaide, Australia.

2000

  • Docking, K. (2000). Acquired language disorders in children following treatment for intracranial tumour: a review. ROBIN (Rehabilitation Of children with with acquired Brain Injuries and Neuromuscular disorders) Symposium 2000: Research Supporting Clinical Practice in Paediatric Brain Injury, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Jordan, F. (2000). Interpretation and comprehension of adolescents with head injury: A group analysis. Brain Injury, 14(1), 89-108.
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Ward, E. (2000). Language performance in children treated for brainstem tumour: The impact of radiotherapy. Second Asia Pacific Conference on Speech, Gold Coast, Australia.

1999

  • Docking, K. (1999). Acquired language disorders in children following treatment for brain tumour. Connections: Postgraduate Research in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane.
  • Docking, K., Jordan, F., Murdoch, B. (1999). Interpretation and comprehension of adolescents with head injury: A case-by-case analysis. Brain Injury, 13(12), 953-972.
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Jordan, F., Cross, J. (1999). The interpretation and comprehension of linguistic humour by adolescents with head injury: a review. Speech Pathology Australia 1999, Sydney.

1998

  • Docking, K., Hamilton, L., Jordan, F. (1998). A Walking Talking Living Doll: The course of recovery of acquired verbal dyspraxia following stroke in a five year old girl with inflammatory bowel disease. Speech Pathology Australia Conference 1998, Perth.
  • Docking, K., Murdoch, B., Jordan, F., Hamilton, L. (1998). The interpretation and comprehension of linguistic humour by adolescents with head injury. Speech Pathology Australia Conference 1998, Perth.

Selected Grants

2017

  • Optimising multidisciplinary cancer care services for communication and swallowing disorders in children surviving brain cancer and leukaemia., Docking K, Cancer Institute NSW/Innovations in Cancer Control
  • Improving Quality of Life and Communication in Survivors of Childhood Brain Cancer and Leukaemia: Development of Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines, Docking K, Cancer Institute NSW/Innovations in Cancer Control

2010

  • Advancing international collaborative child language research between The University of Sydney (USyd) and The University of Iowa (UIowa), Munro N, Baker E, Docking K, Arciuli J, International Program Development Fund (IPDF), University of Sydney/Research Grant
  • Advancing International Collaborative child language research between The University of Sydney and the University of Iowa, Munro N, Baker E, Docking K, Arciuli J, International Program Development Fund (IPDF), University of Sydney/Research Grant
  • A play-based intervention for children with ADHD: A pilot study, Bundy A, Cordier J, Docking K, Munro N, Australian Rotary Health/Mental Health Research Grants

In the media

9 News Australia (March 31, 2021). World-first guidelines for children cured of cancer. Health Reporter: Gabriella Rogers. https://www.9news.com.au/videos/health/world-first-guidelines-for-children-cured-of-cancer/ckmx5ebt700370hr1ky424qgf?#_=_

9 News Australia (March 31, 2021): World-first guidelines launched to improve the lives of child cancer survivors. Health Reporter: Gabriella Rogers: https://www.9news.com.au/national/child-cancer-survivors-given-new-guidlines-for-follow-up-care-after-cure/c14240d9-11a2-4ed5-86fc-be74d9c53c71

Sydney Morning Herald (August 22, 2022): Five years ago Kingston underwent chemotherapy next month he’ll play soccer in the UK: https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/five-years-ago-kingston-underwent-chemotherapy-next-month-he-ll-play-soccer-in-the-uk-20220817-p5bapa.html

Sydney Morning Herald (March 31, 2022). World-first Guidelines for Children Cured of Cancer: https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/world-first-guidelines-for-children-cured-of-cancer-20210331-p57fq7.html

The University of Sydney, News & opinion. (April 1, 2021). New guidelines to improve quality of life for kids following cancer. https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2021/04/01/new-guidelines-to-improve-quality-of-life-for-kids-following-can.html

Sydney Children's Hospitals Network News (April 6, 2021): https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/news/articles/2021/04/world-first-guidelines-to-improve-outcomes-for-children-following-cancer

News from the Cancer Centre for Children (April 7, 2021): Targeting talking and swallowing problems for kids with cancer. http://cancercentreforchildren.org.au/targeting-talking-and-swallowing-problems

Speech Pathology Australia Quarterly, Speak Out (April 2021): New guidelines to improve quality of life for kids following cancer: Supporting children to live full lives after cancer treatment.

The Kids Cancer Project https://www.thekidscancerproject.org.au/stories/may-2021/new-guidelines-released

Docking, K. (2021, July 26). Care doesn’t end after childhood cancer. Oncology Republic. https://oncologyrepublic.com.au/care-doesnt-end-after-childhood-cancer/859

Docking, K. (2021, July 26). Sydney Cancer Conference 2021. Oncology Republic.https://oncologyrepublic.com.au/the-sydney-cancer-conference/812

Speech Pathology Australia Speak Up Podcast: Brain trauma and leukaemia in children with Dr Kimberley Docking: https://soundcloud.com/speechpathologyaustralia/brain-trauma-and-leukemia-in-children-s02-e45

The Conversation: Many survivors of childhood brain cancer have cognitive difficulties, but these can be treated. https://theconversation.com/many-survivors-of-childhood-brain-cancer-have-cognitive-difficulties-but-these-can-be-treated-57566.

Expert Opinion: Backpacks, shoes, and bedtimes: our experts’ back to school tips. Quoted in University of Sydney News and Events:https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2018/01/23/backpacks--shoes--and-bedtimes--our-experts-back-to-school-tips.html