It is with pleasure that I bid you all a warm and sincere welcome to the 3rd ASTLiT symposium: Tongue tie: The facts: weaving through potential lifelong implications. It is my honour as Chair of the Board to be the host of this exciting event in sunny Queensland!

ASTLiT is known for organising wonderful events and this symposium will be as informative and enriching as the previous events in 2014 and 2016. The ASTLiT Board have invited speakers who are leaders in their speciality areas to present their most up-to-date research and data, and clinicians who bring a wealth of years of clinical experience as well as research to the table. The day programs will also be available by live video streaming and access to the recordings will be offered for a limited time after the symposium.

ASTLiT has a firm foundation in the multi-disciplinary involvement of health professionals from experiences including, but not limited to, medical, dental, orthodontic, nursing and lactation and many allied health disciplines.  At our last symposium, our delegates represented eleven different disciplines. Our society strives to provide resources and education for professionals by developing awareness of tongue and lip tie and promote the provision of evidence-based practice when treating these conditions.

The current  balance of research supports early intervention and correction of these conditions in individuals with functional difficulty, especially to address the most basic of human functions of the tongue and lips - the ability to feed and breathe. Lifelong implications of functionally challenged untreated tongue tie is now better recognised, assessed and managed in a team environment.

There is almost no health profession that is not touched by the impact of tongue tie amongst those under their care. With improved knowledge, health professionals can use their respective professional skill base to assist those affected by the conditions.

The ASTLiT society represents the regions of Australasia and the unique needs and facilities in this area. Since our initial foundation in 2014, the ASTLiT committees, and now the board of directors, have worked tirelessly to establish a professional society.

I would like to thank the members of the founding committees for their selfless willingness to contribute towards the establishment of this important and united health professional society. ASTLiT has proudly been granted not-for-profit status as an organisation. As such, the ASTLiT society gives back to its members with benefits such as this symposium and our future plans for publications and research sponsoring.

We are looking forward to a stimulating and educational symposium. So please come and join us on the beautiful and scenic Gold Coast, home of the 2018 Commonwealth Games!

With warm wishes

Bridget Ingle RN RM IBCLC OMT Chair,

Board of Directors, ASTLiT