Therapy Early Referral Primary Healtllcare Workers Project
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ISSN 1368-2105 ISSN (online) 2045-6174 www.speechmag.com Enjoy your SpeecliMMER 1997 meal! Use of th ickener in guage dysphagia Fluency - Promoling Therapy early referral Primary HealtllCare Workers Project Focus on Your clinical companion Derwen Objective setting in a specialist Trust Minimal.ly responsive state A team approach to severe brain injury How I ... Illanage dysartflria Three tllerapists dis uss a case Naming - more than just right tiv or wrong? Responses to cueing in aphasia Information for I rod clng WILSTAAR in contributors p om Common queries an wered s ion Is. ISSN (online) 2045-6174 www.speechmag.com The big breakthrough on a small scale he new DynaMyte is a lightweight, Tportable device with powerful communication capabilities which introduces a new dimension to augmentative communication by offering greater freedom to the ambulant user. DynaMyte is just half the size of DynaVox 2 and yet it retains all its advanced communication capabilities, and uses the same software. A built-in remote control unit allows the user to access computers and other household appliances, and it The DynaVox 2 augmentative features a system of alarms capable of performing a variety communication aid of preset tasks. A clear, easy to operate touch display has introduced a provides access to the full range of DynaMyte's new era of freedom to people of a/l ages who communication power. Its long life battery and durable, have speech disabilities. rubberised casing guarantees easy to carry communication for people of all ages with speech disabilities. DynaMyte is a natural product extension from the advanced DynaVox 2 communication device which successfully enables many users with mobility impairment to develop a greater sense of self expression and independence. DYNAMIC For full information and demonstration, contact A~ DYNAMIC ABILITIES LTD LIMITED THE COACH HOUSE, 134 PUREWELL CHRISTCHURCH, DORSET BH23 1EU TELEPHONE: 01202481818 ~~ FAX: 01202 476688 ISSN (online) 2045-6174 www.speechmag.com News / events 2 Cover Story: Summer 1997 Introduci'1g a (publication date 26th May) preventatIve approach 14 ISSN 1368-2105 Epsom Healthcare Trust has been award Published by: ed £70,000 to fund a WILSTAAR Avril Nicoll early intervention project. How did they Lynwood Cottage do it? Sue Oakenfull gives details. High Street Sarah Drumlithie Barton and Stonehaven Sharon AB393YZ McLaughlin How I ... Tel/fax 01569 740348 explore manage e-m ai l avrilnicoll @rsc.co.uk improve ments in dysarthria 17 the safety and palatability thickeners Produ ction: offer people with dysphagia, Three therapists set out their manage Fiona Reid and the versatility of the ment of a client, Bert. Exploring the Straitbraes Farm product Thick & Easy. client's needs and expecta St. Cyrus tions, providing clear informa Montrose tion and offering a range of therapy options are impor tant. Editor: 6 Avril Nicoll RegMRCSLT Fluencv Reviews 22 Subscription s and advertising: Prom01ing Social skills, voice, drama, Tel / fa x 01569 740348 early dyslexia, ColorCards referral ~~ Cover feature: Elaine Christie explains how the British 24 ~~~~'- ".-/ Stammering Association's Primary .A-"'~_~ Introducing a '::- ~..:::: "" '--- . Healthcare Workers Project is persuad preventative approach ing health visitors and GPs that early WILSTAAR early referral is best. ~~J~R~.r ~~;:1 intervention project just right or Focus on Derwen 9 wrong? Derwen is a specialist Trust in West Wales for people suffering Linda Armstrong from mental illness and distress and and Michelle learning disabilities. Objective Brogan argue setting and support workers are vital to that therapy for the speech and language aphasic therapy department. clients with word finding difficulties is improved by closer examination of picture naming errors made spontaneously and in response to cues. The Team Approach 11 ©Speech & Language Therapy in Information for Practice 1997 The team approach to minimally Contents of Speech & Language contributors 27 responsive state Th erapy in Practice reffect the views Recent publicity has highlighted the con As with other magazines, Speech & of the individual authors and not troversy surrounding the long- Language Therapy in Practice necessarily the views of the publish term management of clients with severe has a specific and consistent style on er. Publication of advertisements is brain injury. Sophie MacKenzie which its readers depend. Common not an endorsement af the adver describes her role with one such group queries from potential contributors are tiser or product or service offered. at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. addressed. SPEECH & LA NG UAGE TH ERAPY IN PRACTICE SUMMER 1997 1 NEWS & COMMENT ISSN (online) 2045-6174 www.speechmag.com Michael Palin Centre referrals: Time for change New funding policy All full consultations of children referred to Working at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability with people the Michael Palin Centre are now being fund with severe brain injury, Sophie MacKenzie is at the cutting ed by the Association for Research into edge of speech and language therapy, where careful assess Stammering in Childhood. ment over a long period of time is vital in pinpointing a way of Following this specialist and detailed assess accessing communication. Even when communication is ment involving the whole family and their established, learning to use the chosen method effectively is a local therapist, funding for further involve painstaking process needing hard work and perseverance in ment will continue to come through the exua the long-term by clients, staff and carers. In recent times we contractual system between the Camden and have seen a huge improvement in the sophistication of Islington Community Health Services NHS technology available to assist such clients and we can be Trust and local district purchasers. If therapy at confident this will continue in the future. the Michael Palin Centre is felt to be the best Another big change has been the swing in the role of speech option for the child, it will not be offered until and language therapists towards involvement in dysphagia. I funding has been agreed. have unpleasant memories from my first job of daily diets for As referrals for the consultation service come dysphagic clients of mashed potatoes with gravy and congealed from speech and language therapists across thickened drinks. Fortunately, this need no longer be the case as the UK, in many instances the local therapist manufacturers of thickeners such as Thick & Easy have worked is given a detailed action plan with the oppor on products to make them safer, more palatable and able to be tunity of continued support and follow up. used more imaginatively. Many therapists find challenges work Details: Diana de Grunwald, The Michael Palin ing with kitchen staff who have their own pressures to deal with, Centre for Stammering Children, Finsbury so hopefully the article by Sarah Barton and Sharon McLaughlin Health Centre, Pine Street, London ECI R OfH, will be of assistance in that process. re/: 0171 530 4238 With adults, such as those discussed in Linda Armstrong's article on the effects of cueing in aphasia, we often need sustained Alzheimer's drug gets clearance involvement to bring about change. For children we seem to A new drug for the symptomatic ueatment of be moving more towards finding a 'right' time for intervention. mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) is Elaine Christie of the British Stammering Association's Primary the first to be licensed in the UK specifically to Healthcare Workers Project quotes research indicating there is ueat AJzheimer's disease. an optimum time to provide intervention, direct or indirect, Whilst providing neither cure nor the ability with children who appear to be stammering. The BSA is giving to stop or slow down the progression of the therapists much needed information resources and opportunities disease itself, ARICEPrM (donepezil to share experiences to try to ensure a more equitable service hydrochloride) may allow a greater concentra within and across departments. tion of acetylcholine - associated with memo Early and timely intervention is also the message of the ry and learning and in short supply in AD - in WILSTAAR project in Epsom. Many other departments have the brain. Conuolled clinical trials in over 900 requested information about how the funding for this was patients in the USA demonsuated more than achieved; Sue Oakenfull provides the answers. 80 per cent either improved or exhibited no As this magazine changes ownership, I find myself with a unique further deterioration in tests of cognition over opportunity. Time will never change the need for practical, the course of the studies. Patient function, accessible and up-to-date information for speech and language including behaviour and activities of daily liv ing, was rated by clinicians as improved in therapists who have much to do and not enough time to do it. approximately two times as many patients on I look forward to continuing and extending Speech & Language the drug in comparison to a placebo after 24 Therapy in Practice's role in weeks of ueatment. It is hoped donepezil meeting this need and extend hydrochloride will also ease the suess the dis thanks to Elinor Harbridge of ease causes in carers. Results of UK and Hexagon Publishing for conceiving European uials are expected in the autumn. and publishing this magazine over information on all aspects of Alzheimer's disease is the past twelve years. If you can available from the Alzheimer's Disease Society, find the time to contribute to the Gordon Hou se, 10 Greencoat Place, London magazine in any way (see page SWI P 1PH, tel. 0171 306 0606. information 27), I would be very pleased to sheet 11 describes new treatments. hear from you. Clear speech Avril Nicoll Independent hearing aid audiologist Cubex is Editor offering 'clear speech' uainingsessions for rel Lynwood Cottage atives to support their hard of hearing clients. High Street Managing director Adam Shulberg said "Once Drumlithie a client has been fitted with the hearing Stonehaven AB39 3YZ device, we encourage family members to take tel / ansa/ fax 01569 740348 the session.