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July 2008 • Issue 675
How computing fun is helping children to speak and spell Project3:Layout 1 24/6/08 17:07 Page 1 RCSLT_July 08_p3.qxd:RCSLT_JUNE_ Contents p3 23/6/08 17:36 Page 1
July 2008 • Issue 675
July 2008 • Issue 675
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COVER STORY: How computing fun is helping children to speak and spell
See pages 18-19 for details CONTENTS
4 Editorial, letters
6 News: The best of days in Wales; Stroke Royal College of Speech survivors struggle in Northern Ireland; UK Connect and Language Therapists 5k run; The accolades keep coming for City Lit; AAC 2 White Hart Yard, London SE1 1NX in Scotland, and much more Telephone: 020 7378 1200 Email: [email protected] 12 Bulletin readership survey Website: www.rcslt.org 15 Obituary President Sir George Cox 16 Caroline Bishop and Sarah Hulme: language group Senior Life Vice President Sir Sigmund Sternberg training for children’s centre staff in Camden Vice Presidents Simon Hughes MP Baroness Jay 18 Frances Girling and Michael Jones: a computer-based assessment and learning programme linking language Chair Rosalind Gray Rogers development and reading Deputy Chair Mary Turnbull 20 Anne Mayne: the 65th anniversary meeting of the American Cleft Hon Treasurer Ann Whitehorn Palate-Craniofacial Association Professional Director Kamini Gadhok 21 Jane Stokes: from Lambeth to Accra Editor Steven Harulow Deputy Editor Grace McCann 22 Any questions: Ask your colleagues and share your knowledge Contributing Editor Digna Bankovska 23 Book reviews Publisher Ten Alps Publishing plc Design Courts Design Ltd 24 Quick look dates: Essential dates for your CPD diaries
25 Your speech and language therapy job ads Disclaimer: The bulletin is the monthly magazine of the Royal College of Speech and Language 35 Specific Interest Groups: The latest meetings and events around the UK Therapists. The views expressed in the bulletin are not necessarily the views of the College. Publication does not imply endorsement. Publication of advertisements in the bulletin is not an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products and services advertised.
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editorial and letters
Bulletin LETTERS Your June Bulletin thrives on your letters and emails Write to the editor, RCSLT, 2 White Hart Yard, London SE1 1NX email: [email protected] Let me start this month by apologising for the Please include your postal address and extremely late arrival of your June issue of Bulletin, telephone number. Letters may be edited which many of you will not have received until for publication (250 words maximum) about 12 June. The problem was caused by the fact that the Bulletin printers unexpectedly went into financial administration with copies of the magazine and Diving Bell excellent associated inserts still in its warehouse. I have finally managed to see the film The Diving Although our contract publishers managed to Bell and the Butterfly. With some difficulty I recover most of the magazines and arranged to send found a cinema showing it. them to another printer, this obviously took time The beautifully imagined book of the same and delayed the final mailing. name by Jean-Dominique Bauby, painfully “My apologies My apologies go to all readers and advertisers slowly dictated with the help of his SLT and go to all who were affected by this problem. others, was inspiring enough for me to read, but readers and We are currently negotiating with our suppliers to the film was excellent. ensure that this situation does not happen again. Jean-Do was Editor of Elle magazine and advertisers All this took place while I was congratulating suffered with ‘locked -in syndrome’ in the 1990s, who were myself on the phenomenal success of the March leaving him with voluntary control over only his Bulletin reader survey. left eyelid. affected by We received an amazing 2,958 replies via the reply I believe every SLT, student or experienced, this problem” paid cards, the online survey and email. On final should see this film. It touches and reminds us of balance these represent a 22% response rate; a the heavy responsibility we in our profession fantastic effort by all concerned. hold, to help release someone from a prison of We have now processed all the replies and on ineffective communication into freedom of life pages 12-13 I have summarised your thoughts and and choice. detailed the profile of the ‘average’ Bulletin reader. What a shame the film has not received a Your responses have been very interesting and we wider audience in those huge cinemas showing are already taking steps to implement some of the society-crushing movies. changes you have requested. But we can all still read the book and Over the next few weeks we will look in detail at champion all those children, young people and your suggestions and try to make your Bulletin an adults who experience these feelings today, which even better professional magazine. we as SLTs so often forget in the reality of our I would like to take this opportunity to thank busy work. Karen Buckley, Shirley Pollaya and Rachel Bleach for their efforts in opening every postal reply and Louise Lisle entering the information into the electronic Manager, Somerset Total Communication database. Learning difficulties research We are planning a research project on current practice in assessment and intervention with
Steven Harulow Bulletin editor Email: [email protected]
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editorial and letters
Sponsored by
children and adults with profound and We were established in 2001 by a group February 1976 multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). of younger stroke survivors from In our experience SLTs use a diverse Tottenham. Should we be considering our range of approaches with this client Since then, the group has steadily terminology? Articles in the latest group, both direct and indirect, with little increased in size from 50 in 2003 to 90 in edition of the Journal constantly guidance from the rather thin evidence 2008 with an average age of about 45. referred to “stuttering”, although base. We want to find out what We provide services which help enhance most therapists I know call it approaches you are using with your clients mobility, boost confidence and reduce the “stammering”. and why you have chosen them and we sense of isolation experienced by stroke I have always understood that hope this will provide information of real survivors. “stammering” was the English word for the interest to practitioners. Also, by sharing our experience of stroke, American “stuttering” and I was once In order that the results are available to we learn from each other, exchange coping intrigued to read in the Doctor Column of everyone, we will submit a summary of strategies and discover new skills and values a well-known Women’s Magazine that key findings to Bulletin on the project’s that equip us to move back into the world. “stuttering” consisted of repetition of completion. We meet on Monday and Wednesday sounds or syllables, whereas “stammering” Our project is currently undergoing mornings at the Central Library, Wood was characterised by marked hesitations ethical review but we anticipate getting Green N22, which is convenient for buses and “blocks”. the go ahead to start very soon. It is and for Wood Green Tube station on the On a lighter note, I have an eight-year- questionnaire based and should take Piccadilly Line. old patient who insists on calling his defect about 30 minutes to complete. If you would like to help please contact “spluttering”, which is not altogether You will hear about the project through me at: [email protected] or inappropriate! SIGs in related areas or in the CPD e- tel: 020 8340 4359 / 0775 241 3223. newsletter, however, we don’t want to miss Linda Tarbox anyone out. John Murray So, if you are currently working with Coordinator, Different Strokes London North April 1976 any clients who might be described as Group having PMLD please participate as we After many years of limited publicity it is want to gain as accurate a picture as encouraging to note the increasing coverage possible. FROM THE ARCHIVES being given to all aspects of our work by the If you think you might be interested, media and popular press. please email us on [email protected] July 1949 This shift of interest must surely be with “pmld” as the subject. greeted with enthusiasm by us all. On March 18th I gave a lecture at New Is there not however, a danger that in our Juliet Goldbart, Darren Chadwick, Susan Ham, for parents and teachers on “The enthusiasm we may be insufficiently Buell Use of the Speech Therapy Clinic”. The objective as to how aspects of our work are Research Institute for Health & Social lecture lasted an hour, and was followed our presented? It behoves us to ensure that Change, Manchester Metropolitan by keen questions. I thereupon initiated a any examples of therapeutic techniques University group to visit my Woking Speech Therapy presented to the general public are of the Clinic, which they did, and were highest standards, that interviews and tremendously interested. I think more of articles do not misrepresent our work and Volunteer for these informal meetings and contacts that the resultant publicity will enhance Different Strokes should be made whenever possible, as rather than detract from the profession’s among Educationalists, medical men and image. The London North Group of Different women, and indeed most adults, there is We demand high standards and good Strokes are looking for a volunteer speech still only the vaguest idea of the ground judgement as clinicians – let us see these and language therapist to run a class for we cover, and of the possible benefits to aspects reflected in the publicity the an hour on Wednesday mornings for a the patient. profession receives. group of members who suffer from aphasia. Mabel Pechey, L.S.C.T Stephanie Martin, Isabel Bassett
The trusted solution for dysphagia management www.fresenius-kabi.co.uk / tel: 01928 533533
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NEWS IN BRIEF The best of days in Wales
Older children SIG Influencing people and winning friends was the theme of this year’s Are you interested in joining a RCSLT Wales policy event in Cardiff, on 16 May national significant interest group (SIG) for older children and young people? Would you like to submit Described by delegates as an, ‘informative and papers on older children and young inspirational day’ and ‘one of the best RCSLT study people for an RCSLT event in late days’, the event encouraged SLTs in Wales to support autumn 2008 (similar to the the RCSLT's communication impairment campaign, Children Centre’s SIG event in 2007)? and improve their skills, knowledge base and Contact RCSLT Policy Officer Sarah competence in negotiating and multidisciplinary Keegan. Email: [email protected] interactions. Newly-appointed RCSLT Country Councillor for Wales Janice Lavelle opened the proceedings, which Darzi consultation included a series of workshops and lectures covering The nine strategic health authorities topics on influencing, negotiating and campaigning From Left: Rosalind Rogers; Chriss Smith; Janice Lavelle: Alison Stroud; Jane Hutt, AM; Nick Smith and (SHAs) participating in Lord Darzi’s at all levels. review of England’s health service Kamini Gadhok Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong have developed improved models of care for their regions. Each Learning and Skills Jane Hutt, AM, gave the keynote Innovation Agency for Healthcare, Speed networking document is out for consultation speech outlining developments in children’s services with Philip Sweet, director of the Performance until August (check for closing in Wales. Improvement Project; and Campaigning with Andrew dates). The RCSLT strongly urges you RCSLT CEO Kamini Gadhok provided an Stallard and Alison Stroud. to read and respond to your regional overview of the national perspective, closely followed In the afternoon session Christine Wilson and document (visit: by RCSLT Policy Officer for Wales Alison Stroud and Louise Harris, research fellow and educational www.ournhs.nhs.uk). The College will also formally reply, so email any political consultant Andrew Stallard, who presented adviser, respectively, at the University of Glamorgan, issues or concerns you would like to Leading the way: new powers in Wales for presented Storytelling: Learn how stories have the raise to [email protected], communication impairment. power to influence and make change happen. marking clearly which SHA Workshops included Creating a compelling future: document these refer to. stories and leadership with Moira Morgan, Visit: www.rcslt.org/news/events/pastevents to development manager at the National Leadership and access slides and presentations from the day Healthcare travel help The Department of Health has extended its Healthcare Travel Costs Explore those myths and legends Scheme (HTCS) to include a broader range of patient journeys. You can Does speech and language therapy really prevent young people from help make your patients aware of the financial help HTCS can provide re-offending? Should bilingual children be treated in English? and encourage anyone who might be eligible to reclaim their travel These are just two of the RCSLT works and give you the For more details and booking costs. Phone 08701 555 455 or interesting questions up for debate chance to vote on issues form visit: email: [email protected], quoting at this year’s RCSLT annual connected with the running of www.rcslt.org/news/events/study product references HC5 and HC11 conference and AGM in Bath on the RCSLT. dayandagm2008 respectively to obtain a free poster Friday 3 October. and leaflets. Exploring myths and legends in The learning objectives for the day are to: speech and language therapy will I Demonstrate how evidence-based practice can challenge or support ‘myths Journal clubs online give you the chance to debate and legends’ from within speech and language therapy Are you thinking of starting a long-held beliefs around speech I Support you to demonstrate the value of critical evaluation and journal club or interested to know and language therapy in the areas evidence-based practice, both for personal professional development and how other members are running of criminal justice, bilingualism, for the development of the profession theirs? The RCSLT has put together I Encourage you to debate, deliberate on and be guided by RCSLT and examples of how existing journal dysphagia and parental involvement. experts clubs are organised, links to online I Support you with your continuing professional development (CPD) journals and has in some tips for You can also take part in the requirements by providing a range of CPD opportunities linked to the running a successful journal club. governance of your professional study day Visit: www.rcslt.org/cpd/journal- organisation by attending the I Promote evidence-based research as the pre-requisite for improvement clubsexamplesandinformation short RCSLT annual general I Emphasise the need for clinical decisions to be informed, founded on meeting. This will provide you evidence-based research and supported by innovative public health programmes with an insight into how the
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news Stroke survivors struggle in Northern Ireland: survey
Stroke survivors in Northern Ireland do not political influencing in action. receive the speech and language therapy they According to Alison, the Department of need to help them cope with their severe Health’s Dr Miriam McCartney, Director of communication problems. Primary and Secondary Care, expressed that This is the disturbing finding of the she was very impressed by the survey and its RCSLT’s survey of stroke survivors – the first user-friendly format. to be carried out across NI – and research “We had a long discussion about accessible carried out by Speechmatters: part of The information for people with communication Stroke Association to launch its Lost without disabilities and the need for a regional Words campaign. approach, ” she says. Over 130 stroke survivors with She is delighted with the contribution of communication problems following their the NI RCSLT membership. stroke responded to the RCSLT survey. “We wouldn’t have been able to pull the Two thirds said speech and language therapy campaign off so successfully without the had improved their quality of life and allowed support of members on the campaign group: them to remain independent, while 90% said it Frances Gibson, Beth Bock and Bridget had helped them to understand and be Dorian. understood by their family and friends. Photolibrary “Thanks must also go to the individual Over three-quarters said therapy had Speech and language therapy is not available members and their managers who assisted us quickly enough and stops too soon for many enabled them to make choices and met their in distributing the survey. Considering we needs, and more than half said it had helped unsupported and isolated in the community. only have 20 whole-time-equivalent SLTs them to feel less isolated. “Sadly, as the results show, all too often working in stroke in NI, the response was However, although the stroke survivors speech and language therapy is not available truly great.” spoke highly of their speech and language quickly enough and stops too soon,” Alison says. therapy, 34% of respondents had to wait Next steps between two to four months for it to start. High profile launch The RCSLT will send a personalised copy of According to RCSLT NI Policy Officer The RCSLT survey was a key feature at the the survey results to each MLA, showing their Alison McCullough, this is well outside the Lost without Words launch at Stormont on constituency responses. RCSLT recommended period of one month 4 June. The 83 respondents who requested survey within which support should commence. Opened by Health Committee Deputy results will also receive a letter suggesting that A massive 95% of the stroke survivors said Chair Michelle O’Neil, MLA, the event if they want to continue the campaign they they received speech and language therapy for attracted significant interest from MLAs and can write to their local MLA. This letter will only six months or less. professionals associated with stroke care in NI. include the key campaign points to mention. The Lost without Words campaign Alison McCullough says she is pleased that The RCSLT will write to local highlights that only 12% of stroke survivors the 16 RCSLT members who attended the commissioners with the results from their with a communication disability in NI get the event – including lead clinicians, specialists, areas, alerting them to the survey’s key long-term communication support they need and managers working in the area of stroke findings, and send the results to every speech – leaving 88% of stroke survivors across the region – had the opportunity to see and language therapy head of service in NI as information for their business cases. Positive outcomes from the NI stroke survey: ■ Health Committee member Alex Easton, MLA, has asked the RCSLT to present to the committee on Visit: www.rcslt.org/government and communication disability and its impact on lives. www.stroke.org.uk/campaigns/ ■ Health Committee Deputy Chair Michelle O’Neil, MLA, has asked the RCSLT to meet with her to discuss priority_campaigns issues around speech and language therapy provision in stroke care. She would also like the RCSLT to form Assembly questions to raise for the minister. Acknowledgements: ■ Local Commissioning Group Chair Frank Caddy is interested to hear more about the needs of children Thanks to the RCSLT’s campaign partners – Speechmatters and adults with communication disability and has asked the RCSLT to talk to a local commissioning for making the survey user friendly, and Chest, Heart and group about the needs of people with communication disabilities. Stroke for their help in distributing the survey.
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NEWS IN BRIEF AAC victory in Scotland Acorn Awards 2008 The NHS alliance is inviting entries Acorn Awards for its 2008 in the History was made on 7 May when MSP Nanette following categories: service Milne used an alternative and augmentative redesign/improvement; clinical engagement; public/patient communication (AAC) device to open a Scottish involvement; public health; Parliament debate. integrated and complementary The Dynavox device was programmed to say, healthcare; clinical governance; “The inability to communicate leads to perhaps one innovations in practice management; of the most desperate feelings of frustration that a and practice based commissioning. human being can have. Sadly, in 21st century Closing date 25 July. Visit: www.nhsalliance.org and search Scotland, a significant number of our fellow citizens ‘Acorn Awards’ for more details and daily experience such desperation and frustration.” entry form. Ten MSPs went on to speak eloquently of the majority of AAC users’ experience of poor and MSP Nanette Milne (standing, second from left) meets inequitable provision. AAC users before the Scottish Parliament debate Smoothing transition Reacting to the debate, Health Minister Shona A new good practice Robison promised to find a way forward. from Scottish government health and education guide aims to ensure a smooth transition Four days later at a meeting with a delegation led departments and local authorities. between child care by RCSLT Scotland Policy Officer Kim Hartley, the Kim is delighted with the outcome of the and adult services for Minister described the debate as ‘very helpful’ and campaign. “Everyone who contributed to gathering young disabled recognised there was a ‘genuine gap’ in provision of data, getting service users involved, writing to and people and their both equipment and the essential supporting meeting their MSPs etc. should all be very proud of families. Transition: moving on services such as speech and language therapy. what they have achieved,” she said. well advocates a person-centred approach and shows how health In response, she has set up a six-month AAC “We have managed to make something happen professionals and their NHS partners working group to report on how to take AAC which wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t acted, can work with other agencies. Visit: services in Scotland to an acceptable standard. and people’s lives will hopefully be significantly www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsands The Minister’s comments at the meeting suggest better as a result.” tatistics/Publications the group is to report to her on best practice service models; minimum standards for services and a For the debate's full text go to: Consistency sensor mapping of need and current services. www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports Researchers at University College Kim is advising the lead senior civil servant on /meetingsParliament/or-08/sor0507 02.htm#Col8348 London (UCL) are developing a self- working group membership, which is expected to sensing device that accurately include AAC users, national and regional AAC Email [email protected] for more details about measures food consistency to help service providers, Capability, and representatives the campaign. control the diet of people who have dysphagia, according to The Engineer Online. The battery-powered device will be based on one created to measure the consistency of bone Calling all women: run for aphasia cement used to glue in hip joints. Every September, Justine Everson aphasia, including health enters the Women’s 5km run in professionals and their clients with Social Enterprise Investment Fund: round two Hyde Park, London, which last aphasia, to join her on Sunday 7 The Department of Health Social year raised over £10,000 for September. Enterprise Investment Fund is open for Connect – the communication Connect’s Maria McDonnell its second round of funding. In 2007/8 a disability network. says supporters will walk with all number of enterprises successfully Justine, who has aphasia, enjoys participants at the London event applied for a share of more than £10m in the challenge and fun of the event so there is no need to worry if they grants and loans, and £17m is being made available to start up or existing and finds it really boosts her are slow or even in a wheelchair. businesses in 2008/9. confidence. Events will take place on the Visit: She had a stroke seven years ago same day in Liverpool and www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorgan when she was 29 years old. She Birmingham. isation/Commissioning/Socialenterprise/ now works at Connect as a index.htm volunteer on reception. This year, Justine is inviting Visit: www.ukconnect.org or Justine at the finish of the 2007 Women’s 5k Challenge more women, with and without contact Maria, tel: 020 7367 0851 Cross Carole Photo:
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news Stroke survivors are lost without words Nearly nine out of 10 stroke devastating effects of aphasia for Less than one in five of the survivors in England are stroke survivors, including loss of RCSLT respondents said they unsupported and isolated in the confidence and independence, and received therapy in the first month community, according to The depression. It also highlights the following their stroke and half had Stroke Association’s Lost without low levels of awareness among the to wait over two months for it to Words report released in May. public, health professionals and start. The charity estimates that a key decision makers in health and Three-quarters said they only third of stroke survivors living with social care policy. received speech and language aphasia are, “frightened, frustrated The report follows the RCSLT’s therapy for six months or less. Not and isolated, unable to speak or own survey of over surprisingly, more than half of the understand language”. 500 stroke survivors, launched in respondents felt they did not The report looks at the March. receive enough. The Stoke Association says The Lost Without Words report calls on PCTs to: stroke survivors who receive long- which can prevent depression and ■ Audit the incidence of people with stroke-related communication term communication support in a isolation. disabilities, so the right levels of support can be planned and delivered group setting report a better The RCSLT continues to work ■ Establish clear referral procedures into communication support services, recovery and huge personal with The Stoke Association to via multidisciplinary community stroke teams achievements. improve the level and quality of ■ Commit to communication support becoming an integral part of the It concludes that these groups service provision for stroke stroke care pathway enable stroke survivors to develop survivors. ■ Ensure SLTs’ clients are referred to a communication support group, new strategies to replace lost where appropriate communication skills, continue to Visit: ■ Monitor closely stroke survivor’s needs through regular reviews at the improve and maintain these skills, www.stroke.org.uk/campaigns/ six-week discharge, after the first six months and yearly thereafter and facilitate social interaction, priority_campaigns Speech and language therapy in the media A number of speech and language therapy stories have featured in the media in the past few months. Here are just a few Patricia Henshaw, a Macmillan Specialist record on speech and language therapy report in late May about the RCSLT, The SLT based at York Hospital, received plenty provision for children. Stroke Association and other charities of local air time in April. Groundbreaking work by SLTs in joining forces to call for more support for She spoke live to BBC Radio York on 17 Worcester made the front page of the Times stroke victims in Scotland. April and had a recorded interview Educational Supplement (TES) on 23 May. It On 6 June, the Daily Mail quoted Natalie broadcast on Minster FM two days later. She reported that SLTs are helping entire classes Optiz, an SLT at London’s Portland Hospital. was pleased to have the chance to emphasise with listening skills in schools. Wyre Forest Natalie spoke about the progress of one of the role of speech and language therapy in PCT SLTs Liz Spooner and Jacqui Woodcock her patients, a deaf baby who received a multidisciplinary cancer teams. have devised a series of classroom games cochlear implant in one ear at nine months The City Lit’s award-winning stammering after heads contacted them about their old and a second one in the other ear three centre featured on BBC’s The One Show on pupils' inability to concentrate. months later. 13 May. The TV magazine programme ran a The TES also reported the historic The RCSLT put forward a panel of SLTs to brief item about two students who are moment when an augmentative and review The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. making great strides on their intensive alternative communication device was used This appeared in The Times on 7 June. If you course. to open a Scottish Parliament debate about appear or see speech and language therapy In print, the Irish Independent reported the need for better access to the technology. in the media, email: [email protected] or on 14 May that Fine Gael party leader Enda See page 8 for details. write to: The Editor, 2 White Hart Yard, Kenny has criticised the Irish government’s Also in Scotland, broadcaster STV ran a London SE1 1NX
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NEWS IN BRIEF The accolades keep 1voice day out Ivoice is inviting communication aid users to join its National Network and Family Fun Day at Hothorpe Hall, coming for City Lit Leicester, on 20 July. The event will provide opportunities to meet participants from 1voice’s teenage Fresh from their triumph in the project, and share information and Queen’s Anniversary Prize experiences with other families and scheme, which they collected young people who use from the Queen at Buckingham communication aids. Visit: Palace in February, the speech www.1voice.info therapy department at City Lit Adult Education College in Neonatal journal offer Islington, north London, has won The Neonatal Nurses Association is another accolade. offering SLTs working in neonatal It was one of three winners of care the chance to join its the National Opening Doors to organisation and access its bi- Adult Learners Award, part of monthly Journal of Neonatal Nursing. To join and subscribe to the journal Adult Learners’ Week, which ran for £40, complete the application from 17-23 May. Esther Rantzen (centre) presents the award, with (from left) student Simon form available at: www.nna.org.uk City Lit’s submission, Boughey; City Lit Chair of Governors Carole Stott; and tutors Carolyn Cheasman and Rachel Everard ‘empowering adults who stammer’, impressed the judges Keaveney’s touching story may years almost entirely silent, too RCP guidelines with its vivid account of the well have clinched the award for afraid to talk in case she The Royal College of Physicians has produced guidelines to inform difficulties that stammerers face; City Lit. She attended a course stammered. Now she rarely healthcare professionals involved in the unique nature of the for people with interiorised stammers and hardly thinks the long-term support, rehabilitation department and the excellent stammering and it changed her about stammering. “I have had and palliative care of people in the outcomes it achieves. life completely. two lives really – pre and post later stages of long-term Sixty-year-old Blanche She had spent more than 50 City Lit,” she says. neurological conditions. These build on the Quality Requirements in the National Service Framework for Long- term (Neurological) Conditions to New fact sheets could save lives explore the interaction between specialist neurology, rehabilitation The National Patient Safety The safety fact sheet details nutritional safety, for example and palliative care services. Visit: Agency (NPSA) has launched the issues that the NPSA has when specialised cutlery is www.rcplondon.ac.uk/publications/ first three of a set of 10 fact sheets identified from analysis of patient missing, and gives details of how Pages/publications.aspx on good nutritional care. safety incidents. to report such incidents. These two-page documents, Choking and dehydration top The stark message of the third Leadership MSc for AHPs which tie into the Council of the list. Other problems include fact sheet, on supporting a City University has launched the first Europe’s ‘10 key characteristics of patients being put on multidisciplinary approach, is postgraduate leadership good nutritional care in inappropriate diets – those with that effective teamwork saves qualification (MSc or PG Dip or Cert) hospitals’, cover safety in food dysphagia not receiving a lives. for allied health professionals. This part-time two year course is aimed service and nutritional care; modified diet, for example. Visit: at managers, including consultants, protected mealtimes; and This factsheet also stresses the www.npsa.nhs.uk/patientsafety/ and those looking to move into such ‘supporting a multidisciplinary importance of reporting all alerts-and-directives/cleaning- roles. City developed the course in approach to nutritional care’. instances of compromised and-nutrition/nutrition consultation with the Department of Health and the NHS and, according to the university it is informed by analysis of recent and likely future Take part in the July book draw developments affecting the NHS and AHPs. Visit: RCSLT Bulletin readers can win a copy of Beyond Stammering by David www.city.ac.uk/study/courses/ahpcli Maguire. Send your name, address and membership number to July Book nlead-msc.html Draw, Bulletin, 2 White Hart Yard, London SE1 1NX. Entries close 14 July 2008. Only one entry per person. May’s winner is Niamh Kenny. A copy of Vocal Rehabilitation is on its way.
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RCSLT study day and AGM 3 October 2008 The Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath BA1 2QH 10am - 4.30pm (may be subject to change) (registration 9.30am)
Delegate fees: £60 (£51.06 + VAT) members (includes lunch) £85 (£72.34 + VAT) non-members (includes lunch) £20 (£17.02 + VAT) AGM only with lunch FREE – AGM only
This study day will encourage you to challenge commonly held value of critical evaluation and evidence-based practice, views within the speech and language therapy profession. both for personal professional development and for the development of the profession. It will allow you to apply critical appraisal or evidence-based ■ Encourage you to debate, deliberate on and be guided by practice to either support or develop alternative approaches RCSLT and experts on the subjects presented. to these views. ■ Support you with your CPD requirements by providing a range of CPD opportunities linked to the study day. The learning objectives for the day are to: ■ Promote evidence-based research as the pre-requisite for ■ Demonstrate how myths and legends from within speech SLT improvement and language therapy can be challenged or supported ■ Emphasise the need for clinical decisions to be informed, through evidence-based practice. founded on evidence-based research and supported by ■ Engage with experts to support you to demonstrate the innovative public health programmes.
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feature The Bulletin reader survey: your thoughts
Steven Harulow reports on the feedback you provided in the Bulletin reader survey in March 2008
When editors put together reader surveys they usually expect a fairly limited response; perhaps a few hundred replies if they are lucky. Even with incentives like cash prizes, most comment tends to come from those people who like or dislike a magazine strongly enough to express their opinion. So, I was extremely surprised and very pleased to see that 2,958 of you took the trouble to reply to our survey in March. This is a phenomenal 22% response rate and says a lot in itself about your relationship with your professional magazine. We designed the survey to look at several areas: You and your Bulletin; Bulletin contents; The International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders; Advertising; Your buying habits and About you. The answers you gave will help the RCSLT
to identify the areas of the magazine you are Photolibrary Photos: happy with and those areas that can be We had a phenomenal 22% response rate to our survey improved. They will also provide us with very useful versions are available. you also agree that the Bulletin has attractive information we can employ to attract We have already started to address this by and striking covers. appropriate advertising to meet your needs. promoting the link to the current online The majority of replies (86%) indicate you Bulletin issue on the RCSLT website home agree that you cannot easily find the Bulletin’s You and your Bulletin page and we will be reminding you in future content elsewhere and only 7.2% say it is too It is gratifying to see that over two thirds editions of the magazine. heavy going. (67%) of you read the Bulletin and 56% read On average, most of you (72%) take Table one shows your collective Bulletin the Supplement every month – so we are between 15 and 45 minutes to read the reading habits. winning the basic battle to get you to open Bulletin. You do this to keep up to date with You also told us at length about specific the plastic wrapper when the magazine speech and language therapy news (92%); topics you wish to see in future issues of your arrives on your doorstep. read RCSLT news and activities (68%); professional magazine. Interestingly, over half (59%) of you say you develop professionally (68%); find out about There were far too many suggestions to prefer to read paper copies of the publications new products and services (39%); seek mention in their eternity here. rather than the online versions (available at: courses and events (73%); and look for a new In summary, many of you would like to see www.rcslt.org/resources/publications). job (33%). more coverage of your own particular areas of As one reader put it, “It's a mission to go Some of you admit to reading the magazine clinical interest, such as pre-schoolers’ online in the evenings rather than sit back to find out if you know anyone in it. dysphagia; interaction approaches to autistic and relax with paper Bulletin, which I enjoy In terms of the Bulletin design, I am very spectrum disorder; stammering; children’s and look forward to.” pleased to say that most of you (87%) agree it voice disorders; deafness; end of life care; However, some of your comments indicate is clear and attractive and contains enough paediatric acquired head injury; secondary that many of you did not know online images and photography. Sixty five per cent of school age children with specific language
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impairment; and mental health and speech Table one: your Bulletin reading habits and language therapy. The list goes on. A number of you also wrote that you Always Almost Sometimes Seldom Never would like to see more adult-themed features read always to balance the perceived bias towards Editorial 14.6% 23.5% 34.7% 21.1% 6.1% paediatric articles. Letters 24.8% 34.1% 31.8% 8.3% 1% The answer to all this is very simple. As News 34.0% 45.6% 18.0% 2.1% 0.2% Bulletin readers generate much of the magazine’s clinical content I look forward to Main feature 30.9% 46.3% 22.3% 0.5% 0% receiving your draft articles on as many Features 24.8% 49.2% 25.2% 0.8% 0% topics as you care to write about. Book reviews 10.8% 25.2% 47.9% 14.5% 1.6% If you work in a specialty area, get together Any questions 25.7% 34.0% 29.8% 9.6% 0.9% with your colleagues and come up with a Obituaries 18.9% 25.9% 32.6% 18.0% 4.6% topic you would like other SLTs to read about, whether it is about your own work or Course advertising 36.8% 33.6% 22.2% 6.3% 1.1% a discussion on a particular issue of debate. Product advertising 6.9% 17.0% 43.3% 26.9% 6% We are also looking at how we can include Recruitment advertising 31.7% 27.3% 23.2% 14.2% 3.6% a peer-reviewed article each month. SIG notices 33.2% 31.3% 24.6% 8.6% 2.3% There were suggestions for more content on management issues; calls for more (and less) political content; ‘amusing stories to It is also interesting to know that 48% of under £5,000. The rest of you are responsible boost morale’; and more about professional you read the online recruitment pages on the for budgets ranging from £5,001 to £100,000. issues, such as time management and RCSLT website Thirty-three people have budgets of over controlling stress. (www.rcslt.org/aboutslts/slt_jobs). £100,000. The Bulletin team will look at all 771 The fact that 57.3% of readers have replied Most of you (77.6%) use the internet daily suggestions over the next few weeks and see to a recruitment advert in the Bulletin or or (19.3%) weekly for a variety of reasons, what we can do for you. Bulletin Supplement shows just how strong a including work research (85.8%); general vehicle these publications are for recruiting to information (87.8%) social networking You and your IJLCD speech and language therapy jobs. (47.9%) travel and holiday reservations The specific questions around the The managers among you might like to (56.4%); shopping (54,9%); banking (53.7%) International Journal of Speech and Language mention this next time you are trying to and online gaming (2.4%). Therapists (IJLCD) prompted some useful negotiate with your human resources This socio-demographic information will responses. department for advertising money. be extremely useful for the RCSLT as we Just over half of you say you usually or endeavour to develop new products and always read some or all of the IJLCD, and as About you services to help you in your professional roles. with the Bulletin responses earlier, most of As there are some readers out there who are you prefer your printed copy to the online interested in their colleagues’ activities, I A big thank you back issues (available at: thought it might be useful for you to include All that remains here is to say thank you to all www.rcslt.org/resources/publications/ some of the information we have gleaned of you who replied to the survey. We journallcd). about you as a group. appreciate your comments and will work hard Twenty eight per cent of you would, It’s no surprise that most of Bulletin’s over the next months to ensure that we can however, prefer to have access to the IJLCD in readers are women (97.5%). Most of you accommodate as many as possible to improve its online format in place of your paper copy. (34%) are in the 25-34 age group, followed by your RCSLT Bulletin. 25.9% aged between 35 and 44; 23.1% You and Bulletin advertising between 45 and 54; 8.5% between 55 and 64; Many thanks for providing information on 6.8% between 18 and 24 and 1.3% over 64. Steven Harulow – Bulletin Editor your relationship with Bulletin’s advertising. Just over 56% of you work over 30 hours Email: [email protected] We will use this to feedback to actual and each week and 32.4% class yourselves as part potential advertisers and hopefully persuade time (less than 30 hours a week). them to either carry on or to start advertising About 20% of you earn under £20,000; with us. 36% between £20,001 and £30,000; 29% The three winners of It is good to see that just under half of you between £30,001 and £40,000; 10% between the £50 Capital read the inserts and catalogues that £40,001 and £50,000; 3.9% between £50,001 accompany the Bulletin each month, and that and £60,000; and 1.4% between £60,001 and Bonds tokens are: 62% have considered buying a product or £70,000. Seven respondents earn over £70,000 service promoted in the magazine. per year. Katharine Bowers, from London An amazing 79% of you have also Over a third of readers say they authorise Pat Mobley, from Lytham St Anne’s attended courses or specific interest group or recommend purchases at work. Of these Laura Campbell, from Renfrewshire events we have advertised. over 71% influence an annual budget of
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Obituary
Ray Michie, Baroness Michie of Gallanach, SLT and Liberal politician
ay Michie (née Bannerman) died on 6 May 2008 after a Medical Corps and there followed several postings abroad and in long battle with cancer. the UK. She was able to practise as a speech therapist on army R bases in Malaysia and Tidworth. She was born on 4 February 1934 and educated at Aberdeen A desire to have their three daughters educated in Scotland Grammar School, Landsdowne House in Edinburgh and the resulted in a move to Oban in Argyll in the early seventies, when Edinburgh School of Speech Therapy. Iain was appointed consultant physician at the County Hospital. In 1957, she married Iain Michie, a doctor in the Royal Army Ray went to work in the speech therapy department in Oban, covering many miles to remote and island primary schools. In one location she had to share a room with the school dentist, complete with noisy drill. In 1977, she was appointed area speech therapist for Argyll and Clyde Health Board and she made the 200-mile round trip to Paisley several times per week, a forerunner of the many times she would take the similar journey to Glasgow airport on her weekly trip to London as an MP and peer. Ray’s political gene was a dominant one, her father having been a Liberal peer, and after fighting and narrowly losing the Argyll and Bute seat in 1978, she won it in 1983, fulfilling her long held ambition to become a Liberal MP. She became an eloquent advocate for matters relating to speech and language therapy within Parliament and was a vice president of RCSLT from 1989 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2008. She stood down as MP in 2001 and was elevated to the House of Lords becoming Baroness Michie of Gallanach. Despite her husband’s failing health, she was an active member of the House of Lords where she championed her favourite causes, speech and language therapy and the Gaelic language. In 2006, she was presented with RCSLT Honours in recognition of her service to the profession within Parliament. Being someone who never missed an opportunity to remind the Commons and the Lords that she was once a practising therapist, this award was one which she treasured. To list her achievements presents only half the picture. Those who knew Ray will not forget the tall striking woman with the wicked sense of humour and the glint in the eye. The SLT’s trained ear for a phonological difficulty or a voice production abnormality never goes away and she could tell you with some glee which members of both the Commons and the Lords, not to mention speakers at the Lib Dem conference, would have benefitted from speech therapy. She was excellent company, always interested in others and always ready to help if someone had a problem. Her life was touched with tragedy with the death of her daughter Jo and Iain’s long illness, culminating in his death in 2006. She bore her own illness with fortitude and the large turnout at her funeral in Oban was testament to a life well lived. To her daughters Fiona and Deirdre and her grandchildren, we offer our condolences; they have lost a loved mother and grandmother. The profession has lost a friend and a champion.
Rosie Wallace
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feature CHILDREN’S CENTRES Language group training for children’s centre staff Caroline Bishop and Sarah Hulme look at language group training for children’s centre staff in Camden
The speech and language therapy service at Sure Start Kentish Town ran a language group training package for children’s centre staff in 2006. We aimed to develop their interaction knowledge and skills, and their ability to support children within their setting. It also enabled us to provide diagnostic therapy for children on the waiting lists in local health centres. The package also aimed to address health centre waiting times, in response to the Government’s 18-week waiting time target. We developed the training package to complement the Adult-Child Tally Count (ACT!) training piloted and rolled out throughout the Camden and Islington Borough (Hulme, 2005). The central theme of both packages is around care givers’ interaction styles and the four staff to run short groups in their own of the targets set for them. methods of modifying these to maximise setting in order to practise and consolidate Measuring the rate of children’s progress children’s language development (Hanen, skills gained from the sessions. following therapy is valuable prognostically 2002). A follow up session gave participants the and important in aiding the differential Four children’s centre staff attended the opportunity to discuss any issues arising with diagnosis between language delay and language group training package between June the SLT. disorder, as well as social communication and July of 2006. We invited two groups of six children with difficulties and cognitive delay. It consisted of an introductory workshop, identified speech and language difficulties Intervention at an earlier stage makes which included discussion of communication from the waiting list at a local health centre to information regarding the nature of an development, group aims, who to include in attend. individual child’s needs available more rapidly. groups, individual aims, strategies for running The groups took place once a week for As it was possible to see the children in a groups and strategies for stimulating language six weeks. Each group ran for approximately group setting earlier, this provided development in children. one hour. opportunities to fast-track them to our Each staff member then co-ran three specialist intensive packages – Intensive consecutive language groups along with an Benefits for all children package of parent-child interaction therapy and SLT to gain hands-on experience of running We completed nine outcome measure scales at Pre-school language unit. activities. the beginning and end of the groups for the It was also possible to make speedier Munton et al (1996) outlines the children who attended three or more sessions. onward referrals to other services such as the importance of continuous training for Prior to the groups we set a number of paediatric assessment clinic and the Camden childcare staff and more specifically the targets for each child, according to their Child Development Team, as was the case with effectiveness of experiential learning. individual need. child 3, who had the lowest number of targets The staff also had the opportunity to Targets included developing attention and achieved. analyse the children’s performance and their listening skills, play skills, turn taking, own skills using video feedback (Hulme and understanding and being able to express a Children’s centre staff Cummings, 1997). range of intent. Table one shows that eight of We analysed the benefits to the staff in two In between each language group we asked the children made progress in more than half ways – by the staff themselves completing a
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I Child Number of Number of targets in % of targets where Laughs a lot more, less naughty targets set which progress was made progress was made I Less frustrated, confident I Playing more 1 14 9 64% I Starting to follow instructions 2 11 7 64% I Calmer, interacts with others, more 3 16 7 44% expressive I Waits, take turns, asks others questions 4 7 5 71% 5 14 10 71% The new package 6 15 8 53% Staff said that more sessions would be 7 13 11 85% beneficial, so the next training package will 8 15 9 60% take place over eight sessions. 9 11 8 73% The initial training session will feature the staff completing confidence ratings; group Table one: progress made by the children running skills (specific to the checklist); and aim setting. Each staff member will then co-run six confidence rating scale pre- and post-running facilitated by an SLT for those engaged in group sessions with an SLT and attend a the groups, and by an SLT analysing their running language groups within a local area. subsequent follow-up session. videos to gauge the development of their Here they will complete post-group skills. Parents confidence ratings and review their pre- and All four staff reported increased confidence As is standard in our groups, parents observed post-group checklists following self-analysis in running a language group for children in their activities via a closed circuit TV link. of their videos – with discussion around their centre after the training. This gave them the opportunity to see the problem solving of challenges of running Three said they had increased confidence in strategies used by the SLT to ensure children groups in nursery setting. understanding how children learn to talk; achieve their individual goals. A valuable part of this training is the identifying children with communication We gave parents an observation tick sheet experiential aspect, giving staff the confidence difficulties; managing children’s behaviour in to help focus their observations. For example, to run short groups in their own setting. a small group; and making use of resources ‘put a tick on the sheet every time you hear We recommended that they run a short already in their centre. the therapist repeating and adding a word to group two to three times a week in their Two said they felt more confident in setting what your child has said’. nursery setting in order to practice skills and appropriate speaking and listening aims for Parents were also able to take away practical aims set during the group sessions. children. activities demonstrated during the groups to In addition to the follow up session, a visit We analysed the first and last group try at home. by the SLT or SLTA assistant to the staff sessions co-run by each of the four staff The comments received from post group member in their setting would be of value in members using a group skills with nine written feedback were very positive. order to troubleshoot any challenges parameters: use of gesture/Makaton; use of All parents reported the groups had presented and to discuss individual cases. facial expression and intrigue; use of praise; benefited their children and reported that using directly relevant language; rate of observing the groups was useful or extremely talking; offering choices; encouraging turn- useful. Caroline Bishop – Formerly SLT, Early Years taking; modeling behaviour/language; and Ninety four per cent reported that practising Islington PCT, now at Portsmouth Teaching positioning. strategies learnt in the group was useful or PCT All staff members made significant progress extremely useful and all reported being satisfied Email: [email protected] in terms of the frequency of the use of skills or extremely satisfied with the group. Sarah Hulme – clinical manager, Camden targeted within the groups. targeted SLT services (incorporating Early Years A key part of the training was the use of Some comments received were: and Mainstream Schools) video recordings of the sessions. The staff I “Being able to observe the behaviour Email: [email protected] members and SLT reviewed these using the without being part of the dynamic made it group skills checklist. easier to be objective about him.” References: I This self-reflection process proved to be an “Without this he would still be not Hulme, S. ACT! Innovative training for childcare staff. Bulletin invaluable tool, enabling participants to communicating and be withdrawn and December 2005; 12-13 identify key areas to practise and develop stressed.” Munton AG, Mooney A, Rowland L. Helping providers to I improve quality of day-care provision: Theories of Education during the course of the training. “More confident to talk and respond.” Early Child Development and Care I and Learning. 1996; 118, We may consider using a longitudinal study “I’ve tried to stay calmer.” 15-25. to ascertain if staff retained their skills over Hulme S, Cummings K. Video, a Reflective Tool. Speech and time. Parents have reported the following changes in Language therapy in practice 1997; 4-7. A further visit by an SLT could be one way the behaviour of their children: Enhancing caregiver language facilitation in child care I settings. Hanen Centre Publication. Proceedings from to ensure skills are maintained and perhaps Sits and participates in group and at symposium, 18 October, 2002. there is scope to set up support groups nursery
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feature LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND READING Supporting children with communication difficulties Frances Girling and Michael Jones report on a computer-based assessment and learning programme that links language development and reading
Recent research makes a direct link between However, speech and language therapy by Swedish SLTs for use with children between early speech and language difficulties and later advice needs to be relevant and easily the ages of six and 15 with dyslexia and problems with reading and spelling (Snowling, implemented if it is to be is carried out associated literacy difficulties. 2006; Snowling and Hayiou-Thomas, 2006). effectively. The software has undergone extensive SLTs working in mainstream primary schools Many parents are willing and able to support standardisation in UK schools, and many may want to support and advise school staff their children’s learning, so resources that can fit teachers, and increasingly SLTs, are exploring its and provide approaches that link language development and reading for children with delayed language development; those who “They find the assessment fun even require general language stimulation or have though it quickly gets to the heart of specific and complex communication needs. Many teaching assistants have received their difficulties” additional training in supporting children with additional literacy needs and this is proving to into busy classes and can be used by teaching potential for assessing and supporting children be effective in promoting the development of assistants and parents are clearly going to have with a range of communication difficulties. early literacy and oral language skills (Hatcher et the highest chances of success. The programme is based on the principle al, 2006). In our experience, computer-based that reading and spelling problems are linked to There is potential for SLTs and SLTAs to work assessment and learning programmes can play difficulties with phonological awareness and effectively in schools, with special needs an important part in meeting children’s needs phonological processing. coordinators, teachers and teaching assistants in schools and at home. Children go through a series of short, (McCartney, 2004). One such programme is Lexion, developed interactive assessment subtests designed to
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LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND READING feature
highlight key areas in the child’s phonological processing, reading and language development. Case study representation. They find the assessment fun even though it As a result she is very unsure about how to quickly gets to the heart of their difficulties. Amy (not her real name) is nine years old and spell unfamiliar words through the method of Once the assessment is complete the assessor attends her local primary school. At four-and-a- building them up from individual phonemes. receives a written and graphic profile. half she was diagnosed with Landau-Kleffner She has built up an enormous sight and The programme will immediately generate syndrome, the main features of which are spelling vocabulary by memorising words as exercises that the child can use at school or at seizures and severe difficulties with verbal whole units. Consequently, she is unable to read home. comprehension. a word that is new or unfamiliar to her. A particularly useful aspect of Lexion is the Her literacy skills have taken a long time to By using Lexion, Karen aims to develop Amy’s possibility that these exercises can be sent home establish, but are now beginning to develop. verbal comprehension through Amy’s visual or to school via memory stick, disk or email. Amy is concerned about making mistakes skills. Lexion automatically logs progress and the and though she has very neat handwriting, Her literacy skills are also being developed by supervising adult can analyse results from a much of her time in creative writing activities is improving her awareness and understanding of distance and send updated exercises. spent rubbing out. phonemes, and how these relate to letters and We find Lexion is systematic, engaging for Amy can be reluctant to engage with adults syllables in English. children and provides rigorous monitoring in individual work, though this is necessary to This is essential if Amy is to make progress in of progress. explore her strengths and weakness and to literacy and use reading as an important tool to In common with other programmes used in develop appropriate learning strategies that can boost verbal comprehension. computer-generated learning, it provides be used in class. An important consequence of using Lexion children with a high level of motivation. SLTA Karen Stevens visits Amy in school once has been an increase in Amy’s confidence and This is crucial, as many of the children we a fortnight, monitoring progress and providing willingness to engage in language activities that work with are keenly aware of their difficulties. appropriate materials. This includes using Lexion. are clearly challenging. All of Lexion’s activities have an element Karen uses specific games from the This is often the case when children work on where the computer ‘speaks’ to the child – programme to stimulate Amy’s verbal computer programmes with an adult working giving instructions, or providing comprehension. alongside, providing a more relaxed focus for encouragement and praise. These include identifying environmental children who are concerned about interaction. This has proved to be an important feature sounds, creative writing exercises and games Amy is also more productive when writing in helping children who are anxious, including designed specifically to develop auditory and using the computer, as she does not need to those at an early stage of learning English as an phonological awareness. have recourse to constant rubbing out. additional language, or who have a diagnosis of Many of the games feature colour Adults also benefit from the programme by selective mutism. photographs and line drawings as visual clues, as using it to explore Amy’s complex learning Once the assessment is carried out and the well as clear verbal instructions. These maximise patterns and devise strategies to meet her results discussed with the special needs Amy’s understanding and chances of success. needs. coordinator and class teacher the programme It has become apparent that Amy only These strategies will include recommending can be included in the child’s Individual recognises phonemes if she can see a visual elements of other programmes and activities. Education Plan and carried out either on the class computer, in withdrawal sessions, in groups or at home. understanding or semantic difficulties. Frances Girling – Specialist SLT, Cornwall Exercises can be linked to children’s While these strategies may help them cope County Council’s Young Children and Families individual needs as well as chosen from a series with their everyday communication, their Department of ‘predefined profiles’ linked to the Literacy educational difficulties are often very apparent Michael Jones – Educational consultant Strategy requirements for every year and term in their reading, spelling and creative writing. Visit: www.talk4meaning.co.uk from Year 1 to Year 9. One of the key challenges for SLTs is to look This enables the SLT to make closely at these strategies to pinpoint the specific recommendations that are specific to the strengths and weaknesses that the children have. References: individual child’s speech, language and literacy One-off standardised assessments often do Hatcher PJ et al. Efficacy of small group reading needs, as well as providing exercises that are not provide sufficient information and we use intervention for beginning readers with reading delay: a randomised control trial. Journal of Child Psychology and appropriate to the level of literacy work being Lexion as an ongoing ‘dynamic assessment’ Psychiatry 2006; 47, 820-827. carried out in the class. where we work alongside the child, formulate McCartney E. ‘Hard Health’ and ‘Soft Schools’: research This type of advice has a high likelihood of hypotheses about underlying problems and designs to evaluate SLT work in schools. Child Language, being implemented in school, as it is clearly then build up a plan of support (see case study). Teaching and Therapy 2004; 20, 101-114. Snowling M. Language skills, learning to read and targeted and very ‘child and teacher friendly’. Lexion stores data about the user’s progress intervention. Keynote address to ICAN conference, Meeting the needs of children with complex over time, and this can be invaluable in London, November 2006. language learning difficulties in mainstream creating a learning profile, as well as providing Snowling M, Hayiou-Thomas, ME. The dyslexia spectrum: schools can present SLTs and school staff with a body of evidence that we can use to make continuities between reading, speech and language Topics in Language Disorders particular challenges. recommendations about providing support, impairments. 2006; 26, 108-124. Many older children and teenagers develop for example through reports for statements of Visit www.lexion.co.uk ways of compensating for their lack of special educational need.
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feature Treasuring our differences Anne Mayne reports on the 65th anniversary meeting of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association held in Philadelphia from 16-18 April
The American Speech and Hearing the same extent in America. some degree of language delay, this issue Association (ASHA) meeting and a two-day It was, therefore, exciting to hear of the merits further research. pre-conference symposium preceded this work of ‘Americleft’, instigated in 2006 across The second paper was a retrospective case year’s annual conference. six US centres. note review comparing the outcomes of The ASHA meeting provided an overview It is hoped cross centre studies will emerge therapy for sound production errors between of cleft anatomy, resonance and articulation from the US, as well as more cross-Atlantic a group of children with 22q11 deletion issues associated with cleft palate. collaborative studies. syndrome and a group with non-syndromic While the bulk of the material was aimed A multidisciplinary paper by our centre cleft palate or submucous cleft palate. at non-specialist SLTs, there were valuable picked up the theme of auditing outcomes. The syndromic group required significantly reminders to more experienced clinicians on This represented a comparison of results in a more therapy, together with well-integrated ways of encouraging speech production in consecutive series of 20 patients with programmes of intervention across clinical, early childhood and of working with parents. unilateral cleft lip and palate, audited at the educational and home settings. The pre-conference symposium, addressing ages of 10 and 20 years. In addition to the scientific papers, there issues of transition from adolescence to The results showed that facial growth were more informal ‘eye-opener’ sessions and adulthood, highlighted the challenges faced by deteriorated between 10 and 20 years of age. workshops, covering such diverse issues as families and professional teams in this area. Velopharyngeal function was also marginally medical missions to the developing world, Although healthcare systems in the US are worse at 20 years (not statistically significant), hands-on endoscopy experience and plastic very different from those in the UK, clinicians although articulation improved, without the surgery for the non plastic surgeon. and families often face very similar challenges. provision of therapy in the intervening As always, the conference provided an As the UK, American teams encounter period. invaluable opportunity for networking, funding constraints (in terms of the Generally, the patients were satisfied with meeting new colleagues and renewing availability of insurance to cover procedures their outcomes. However, it was interesting friendships with old ones. and treatments), which can have a significant that the level of satisfaction did not always impact upon the care provided. correlate with professional opinion. Anne Mayne – Specialist SLT, North Thames The symposium also highlighted how Some patients registered very different Regional Cleft Lip and Palate Service, St families and clinicians can have very responses to their experience of living with a Andrew’s Centre for Plastic Surgery, Broomfield different priorities. cleft, despite appearing to have similar Hospital This was a timely reminder that cleft outcomes, as assessed by professionals. Email: [email protected] centres perhaps need to give more thought This highlights the importance of rigorous and attention to ways in which we can help auditing of outcomes and the necessity of References: young people (and their families) – who have following up patients born with cleft lip Sandy JR, et al. Cleft lip and palate care in the United often been under the care of a team for and/or palate to adulthood. Kingdom – The clinical standards advisory group (CSAG) Cleft Palate- over 20 years – to make the transition from They once again remind us of how study. Part 1: Background and methodology. Craniofacial Journal 2001; 38, 20-23. adolescence to adulthood with confidence. important it is for teams to listen to the Shaw WC, et al (1992) The RPS intercentre clinical audit for The Eurocleft study (Shaw et al, 1992) and patient’s perspective. cleft lip and palate – a preliminary European Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG) Our team also provided two investigation. In IT Jackson and BC Sommerlad (eds). findings (Sandy et al, 2001) have shaped cleft unidisciplinary SLT papers. In the first Recent Advances in Plastic Surgery 4, Churchill Livingstone, 1-15. care in Europe and the UK by demonstrating we reported on the language skills of 80 widely differing outcomes across centres and children with different cleft types at the age Acknowledgements: providing the stimulus for ongoing inter- of five years. I would like to acknowledge the receipt of generous centre comparison. Over 80% of our cohort performed within grants from RCSLT and the National Cleft Palate Craniofacial Anomalies SIG towards the cost of attending Because of the differing nature of normal limits on the assessments used. this conference. healthcare provision, this has not happened to However, with 18.75% of the group showing
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feature From Lambeth to Accra After training and working in London for nine years, Nana Akua Owusu returned to her native Ghana to work as an SLT. Jane Stokes, her line manager from 2000-2006 interviewed her for the Bulletin
Why did you return to Ghana? Working with so many different languages Working in Lambeth, about 25% of my is extremely challenging, but English is often caseload was from African backgrounds. a child’s first language because parents have Understanding of speech and language avoided speaking local languages with them. therapy was often limited. People expected a Vocabulary, intonation, pronunciation and cure or dramatic improvement in their child’s sometimes syntax can be very different from condition and families found it hard to apply to British English and I sometimes work as an play-based strategies. ESL tutor so parents can help their children. Having grown up in an African culture When assessing children, many respond myself I knew most families would find this better to the use of real objects or miniatures difficult. My Masters programme in 2001 rather than to pictures in books or paper investigated this further. A career break in based instructions. I have found the Ghana and my assessment of speech and Derbyshire Language Scheme Rapid language therapy provision culminated in my Screening Test to be culture sensitive: it uses decision to return, since there was limited common items in our culture. provision for the growing number of children Many clinical presentations may be severe identified with communication difficulties. as people seek help late. There are many reasons for this, including long distances to What did you learn from your specialist hospitals, ignorance, poverty, time in Lambeth? superstition about disability, lack of Working autonomously within an awareness or wrong advice given by health organisation with clear structures. Being professionals, no early intervention policy... appreciated, but not made to feel children and school to develop their child’s Many people want a cure and may not indispensable. Being entrusted with communication. return if you cannot offer that. Poor transport responsibility, knowing your manager has In London more parents understand their and traffic problems make attendance faith in you and allows you freedom. key role in stimulating children’s language. difficult. Managing the whole person, not just in Ghanaian fathers play a crucial role in their Within health and education systems, be relation to the organisation. The importance children’s intervention, bringing children to aware of poor structures and rules that are of planning realistic goals and carrying out appointments and doing homework. In Accra not enforced. People work in isolation; feasibility studies for new projects and the we offer prayer as an intervention. A small sometimes units within a department do not importance of evaluation. group of people pray with and for families know what each other is doing. who believe in prayer. This stops clients from Everything takes longer than expected. How is working in Accra and withdrawing for long periods to seek spiritual Colleagues offer to do things they do not London similar? help or miracle cures elsewhere. Therapy is understand, but are embarrassed to ask. Many Ghanaian parents think they should not disrupted as prayer is provided as an Valuable equipment may get damaged. Insist speak English to children. Many doctors integral part of the therapy programme. on doing things yourself if using valuable advise parents not to worry about their child ‘s resources. stammer, as they will “grow out of it”. Any advice for SLTs Above all be patient and do not be considering working in discouraged by others’ ignorance and And the differences? Ghana? selfishness. Set clear boundaries and work In Accra there are few therapists and we deal Firstly, we need all the help we can get, as hard not to compromise. with all clinical presentations unlike in speech and language therapy is so limited. But London where work is specialised. In the UK, the context is worth knowing. professionals know the ‘alarm bells’ for There are no formal norms for children Jane Stokes referring to other services and can share and standardised questions from the UK or worked for Lambeth PCT until August 2006. She is now a senior lecturer in speech and language concerns with families appropriately. In US translate poorly. Knowing the culture and therapy at the University of Greenwich. Ghana the importance of early intervention is having an understanding of informal norms Email: [email protected] or [email protected] not understood, so parents rely on other for children in this culture helps.
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ask your colleagues Any Questions? Want some information? Why not ask your colleagues?
Email your brief query to [email protected]. The RCSLT also holds a database of clinical advisers who may be able to help. Contact the information department, tel: 020 7378 3012. You can also use the RCSLT’s website forum to post your questions or reply to other queries, visit: www.rcslt.org/forum
Paediatric videofluoroscopy clinics Carers' groups Have you been involved in setting up paediatric Do you have experience of running carers' groups for videofluoroscopy clinics? We are looking to do this in carers of people with dysphasia? In your opinion, what Somerset and would value any information, useful has and hasn’t worked? articles or ideas. Jennie Marshall Vicky Boyle EMAIL: [email protected] EMAIL: [email protected] Measuring outcomes SLI and Agenda for Change As a paediatric community service, we are developing a Do you work in a language unit or special school with way of measuring our clinical outcomes. We work an SLI caseload? We are therapists in Cardiff working within a consultative framework and are interested in with this client group. Banding under A4C has been hearing about methods or systems of measuring decided at Band 6. Is this consistent across the country? outcomes that have been effective in other paediatric Sarah Carr departments. Tel: 02920 610 013 Fiona Richens EMAIL: [email protected] EMAIL: [email protected]
Documenting decision making in AAC Early intervention Have you developed documents that correspond to the We are involved in a working party exploring early various components of Beukelman and Mirenda's intervention within caseload management. Do you use (1998) Participation Model to record decision making in early intervention in your team? How do you define it AAC? We are in the process of doing this and would and what management approaches do you use to welcome your input. implement it? Bridget Manning Emily Williams EMAIL: [email protected] TEL: 0151 290 2010 EMAIL: [email protected] Listening Programme Have you used the Listening Programme as an NHS High level semantic resources SLT? Would be interested to hear what results have been We work with a 42-year-old client with aphasia. She has gained and whether any improvements have been received therapy for three years and is still making sustained over time. steady progress. However, she has exhausted all of the Anthea Williams resources known to us. Her main difficulties are with EMAIL: [email protected] high level semantic and auditory processing. She was previously an academic and was highly educated, so she Moodle understandably wants to get to as high a level as Have you had success with using ‘Moodle’ in your area? possible. Do you know of resources she could work on Examples of how it has been used would be appreciated. independently or with a little support from us for her Lisa Ford difficulties, eg computer programmes or similar? Tel: 01243 815 260 Kathleen Graham EMAIL: [email protected] EMAIL: [email protected]
Stroke service questionnaire We want to develop a questionnaire for inpatient stroke clients and their relatives to gain feedback about our speech and language therapy service. Have you already developed one? Ruth Cemlyn Tel: 0117 950 5050 ext: 3711 EMAIL: [email protected]
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book reviews Book of the month REPLAYS: USING PLAY This book describes an approach using play to They recognise influences and source TO ENHANCE assist professionals and parents to help children information and indicate how their work fits in EMOTIONAL AND with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) manage with other practice, eg cognitive behavioural BEHAVIOURAL situations that may give rise to highly emotional therapy. or challenging behaviour. They recommend that a child should have DEVELOPMENT FOR The authors demonstrate a thorough communication and symbolic skills of around CHILDREN WITH understanding of ASD and situations that might 18 months to benefit most from their AUTISM SPECTRUM cause children anxiety or distress. intervention. DISORDERS They differentiate their approach by focusing They suggest teaching symbolic functioning on replaying the child’s emotional responses to a to less able children, but acknowledge this context and advocate that the adult initially approach may not be suitable for some. represents the child in the situation by I agree with their view that this approach may demonstrating the stress reaction that usually assist children with ASD who, while being able occurs. intellectually, may have undeveloped social and This re-enactment allows the child to observe emotional responses. and recognise the context and the behaviour associated with it. CONTENTS: READABILITY: VALUE: The authors recommend carefully judged **** ***** ***** overacting and humour to assist in reducing KAREN LEVINE AND stress, and through repetition and a gradual DR VICKY SLONIMS NAOMI CHEDD move to role reversal they report good outcomes Clinical Lead SLT, Guy’s and St Thomas’ JESSICA KINGSLEY, 2006. £12.99 for many children. However, they give no Foundation NHS Trust; Associate Editor ISBN: 1-84310-832-0 supporting research data. IJLCD
PLANNING TO LEARN photocopiable pages are an added bonus to 4-11 years, but is also suitable for children of all BKEELY HARPER-HILL AND STEPHANIE LORD this accessible work planner. abilities and ideal for those learning English as a JESSICA KINGSLEY PUBLISHING, 2007. My only reservation is can we really second language. £24.99 identify, predict and plan for every situation? From some of the stimulus items suggested, ISBN: 1-84301-561-9 Whatever the answer, maybe this book it could also be used for adolescents who remains a success in areas that continually struggle with narrative. Written by an SLT and specialist teacher, this challenge individuals on the autistic spectrum Parents, older siblings, teachers, EFL teachers, is an easy to read practical guide aimed at a and their support and clinical networks. special needs assistants and SLTs could all use wide audience, both new to and experienced this book to engage the young storyteller.
in working with children and young people CONTENTS: READABILITY: VALUE: Each section contains imaginatively on the autistic spectrum. **** ***** **** illustrated examples of stories for children to The illustrated workbook provides parents, think about, with photocopiable storyboards, carers, health and educational professionals HANA HOLDEN followed by a wonderful array of brightly with a structured approach, which focuses on SLT; regional Makaton tutor; registered illustrated pictures of vocabulary items that ‘creating a plan’ for often difficult and intermediary can be used to stimulate descriptions of worrying life experiences that individuals on features or events. the spectrum and indeed those with other At the end of each section questions communication impairments face. THE STORY MAKER stimulate the reader to think for him/herself as It delivers and achieves its aims in terms of FRANCES DICKENS AND KIRSTEN LEWIS they describe their own experiences, feelings, offering practical solutions, self-reflection, SPEECHMARK, 2007. £33 appearances etc. practice and experience, with the resulting ISBN: 978-0-86388-602-7 Anyone interested in the art of ‘story making’ product being something that is concrete should buy this book and enjoy the stimulating and which can be referenced in times of ‘How to…’ resources flood the market every experience of narrative with young storytellers. stress and anxiety. year, but few captured my attention until The The clinical experience of the authors Story Maker came along. CONTENTS: READABILITY: VALUE: ensures this book and its advocated working The authors explain that it aims to help ***** ***** **** practices are entirely person-centred, while children write stories. However, I initially drawing on sound theoretical knowledge that approached the text with oral narration in mind DR IRENE P WALSH will inspire confidence in all those who have and there is no doubt the contents would serve Director of Undergraduate Teaching and direct and indirect contact with this to stimulate and guide both oral and written Learning, School of Linguistic, Speech and interesting client group. narratives equally well. Communication Sciences, Trinity College This resource is a highly desirable tool. The The Story Maker is designed for children aged Dublin
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Quick Look Dates
7-8 July, London; 15-16 Sep, VCN’s Anthology, “Voice London. Therapists £395; teacher Picture Exchange Glasgow; 6-7 Oct, London; 3-4 Catcher”, introduced. £295. Contact Elklan. Communication System (PECS) Nov, Birmingham; 26-27 Nov, Applications to: Tel: 01208 841 450, email: training Dublin. ‘Assessing and teaching [email protected]; [email protected], visit: Incorporating PECS across the social skills’. A two-day course by tel: 01926 864000 www.elklan.co.uk day – Peterborough. Language of TALKABOUT series author Alex emotions and 10th anniversary Kelly. Cost £250. 5-6 September, 3-4 October, 7-8 23-24 October; 14-15 May 2009 celebration with PECS co- 9 July, London; 17 Sep, Glasgow; November Elklan total training package for founders – London and 8 Oct, London; 5 Nov, PCP Association under-fives Edinburgh. Basic PECS Training: Birmingham; 28 Nov, Dublin. Three two-day Unit Course in Enables SLTs and teaching Stoke-on-Trent, Milton Keynes, ‘Developing Relationship Skills’. A Personal Construct Psychology advisors to provide accredited Peterborough, Kendal, new course based on the In West London. Covers basic training to staff working in Cheltenham, Brighton, Sheffield, successful TALKABOUT theory and a wide range of under-fives settings. Teacher- London, Edinburgh, plus more. RELATIONSHIPS. Cost £125. techniques. Leading to PCP therapist teams welcome. RCSLT, For all training dates/information, Cost for both courses £300. For Practitioner’s Certificate. Contact: London. Therapist £395; teacher contact Pyramid Educational more information email: Peggy Dalton, tel: 0208 994 7959; £295. Contact Elklan. Tel: 01208 Consultants, tel: 01273 609 555, [email protected]; visit: email: [email protected] 841 450, email: or visit: www.pecs.org.uk www.alexkelly.biz; or [email protected], visit: tel: 01722 333 083 12 September www.elklan.co.uk 4-7 November Special computer access: basic Johansen Individualised 24 July principles & practical solutions 23-24 October; 14-15 May 2009 Auditory Stimulation (Johansen West Midlands Dysphagia SIG A 1-day course focusing on access Elklan Total Training Package for Sound Therapy) ‘The Toast Incident’ - Sharing the to computer-based activities for 11-16s Learn to use individually Learning adults with complex disability. Enables SLTs and teaching advisers customised music CDs to organise 9am – 1pm. Speaker - Marie Royal Hospital for Neuro- to provide accredited training to and enhance auditory processing Waddell, Head of SLT service disability, London, SW15 3SW. staff working in secondary school in children and adults with Heart of England NHSFT £75.00 plus VAT. Tel: Jane Bache: settings. Teacher therapist teams spoken and / or written language Cost £5 (+£10 membership). 020 8780 4500 x5237; email: welcome. RCSLT, London. difficulties. Clinical Skills, Queen Elizabeth [email protected] Therapists £395; Teacher £295. Easy to implement. Edinburgh Hospital - UHBFT, Edgbaston, Contact Elklan. Tel: 01208 841 £425. Email: info@johansen- Birmingham B15 2TH. To apply 2 October 2008 450, email: [email protected], soundtherapy.com; visit: contact Jo Kendall, Talk To Your Baby conference visit: www.elklan.co.uk www.johansensoundtherapy.com tel: 0121 6278576; email: Communication: the child's [email protected] perspective. London. Find out the buggy 28 -29 July research findings from Dr Lidcombe Programme of early Suzanne Zeedyk; hear from stuttering intervention Elizabeth Jarman on Connect training for 2008 Hosted by Lewisham PCT - led by Communication Friendly Spaces; Discounts available for teams and first Mary Kingston, Rosemarie Lucy Williams on listening; and timers to Connect. Hayhow. local initiatives showcased. Visit: Two day course covers the theory www.literacytrust.org.uk/talktoyo and practical application of the urbaby/conf2008.html 23 September 2008 environment accessible to programme.Cost £305. Contact Dorett Davis, tel: 020 7138 1385; 20-21 October; 12-13 May 2009 The good goal setting guide people with communication email: dorett.davis@lewishampct. Elklan total training package for Learn how to make choices disability. Developed with nhs.uk primary school age children and goals in stroke care people with communication Enables SLTs to provide more patient-centred, by disability, the 4 - 8 August 2008 accredited practical training for gaining new techniques for comprehensive toolkit gives Cued speech residential summer education staff. Training listening and delivering you the skills to train your school in Exeter, Devon. materials supplied. Teacher- what patients really want to colleagues. It includes Courses for all levels, and free therapist teams welcome. RCSLT, achieve. Great for teams. advice and guidance, day-time creche available. Cued London. Therapist £395; teacher documents you can Speech gives complete access to £295. Contact Elklan. Tel: 01208 1-2 October 2008 photocopy and adapt, a spoken language for deaf babies, 841 450, email: Making communication video/DVD and CD-Rom. children and adults. [email protected], visit: Email: [email protected]; www.elklan.co.uk access a reality (2 days Fantastic value for training visit: www.cuedspeech.co.uk; tel: training and toolkit) your whole team. 01803 832 784 20-21 October; 12-13 May 2009 Learn how to make your New Elklan Course: interactions, documents and 29-31 August 2008 communication support for Refresh vocal knowledge and children with complex needs Find out more at www.ukconnect.org skill at Voice Care Network’s Enables you to provide practical We can bring this training to your area – annual study meeting. accredited training. Supports pre- call us to find out more.. Bristol. Contributors include intentional to early intentional For more information contact: Connect, 16-18 Marshalsea Road, Christina Shewell, voice expert, communication skills. Training London, SE1 1HL Tel: 020 7367 0866 Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. materials supplied. RCSLT, Email: [email protected] www.ukconnect.org
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Appointments
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26 bulletin July 2008 www.rcslt.org RCSLT_RECRUIT-JULY 08.qxd:Mid-August.qxd 19/6/08 16:18 Page 27
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Now here... RCSLT job adverts online
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Appointments
Access your Bulletin online Did you know that as an RCSLT member you can access current and back copies of the Bulletin on the RCSLT website? Visit: www.rcslt.org/resources/publications/bulletinonline
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RCSLT ONLINE BOOKSHOP
You can now order books online 10% discount to all members Visit: www.rcslt.org or call Angela on 020 7878 2364
32 bulletin July 2008 www.rcslt.org RCSLT_RECRUIT-JULY 08.qxd:Mid-August.qxd 19/6/08 16:20 Page 33
Appointments Complete your continuing professional development online Visit: www.rcslt.org/cpd Visit: Over 8,000 members now signed up!
www.rcslt.org July 2008 bulletin 33 RCSLT_RECRUIT-JULY 08.qxd:Mid-August.qxd 19/6/08 16:20 Page 34
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Over 8,000 members now signed up!
Complete your continuing professional Now here... development RCSLT job adverts online
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34 bulletin July 2008 www.rcslt.org RCSLT_SIGS July_08.qxd:RCSLT December sigs.qxd 23/6/08 17:20 Page 35
Specific Interest Group notices
North West Mainstream SIG (N17) SIG Emotional and Behavioural problems (L25) West Midlands (Junction 1 M5). Members £20; non- 2 July, 2pm - 5pm 16 July, 9.30am - 4pm members £30 (includes lunch). Email: Speaker: Ann French from MMU. Dewsnap How to include siblings in your work. Speaker: [email protected] to book. Lane Clinic (training room), Dukinfield, SK16 Nicola Dean, sibling group development officer. 5AW. Members free; non-members £5. Email: AGM and top tips. Lunch is BYO or in canteen. [email protected] or Annual fee £20; session fee £10. St. George’s NW Adult Acquired Neurology SIG (10) tel: 0161 980 8041 Hospital, Tooting. Contact Laura Whittall, email: 11 September, 9am - 5pm [email protected] Unusual presentations post-CVA: acquired dysfluency and foreign accent syndrome. Speakers: Adult Learning Disability SIG Central Dr Trudy Stewart (St James University Hospital) and Region London Special Interest Group in ASD (L18) Dr Nick Miller (Newcastle University). Chorley 8 July, 9.30am - 12.30pm 16 July, registration 9.30am Library Meeting Room, Union Street, Chorley, Student placements – help or hindrance? Social skills: presentations from Dr Vicky Lancashire, PR7 1EB. Members £20; non-members Bring examples of how student placements Slonims, Alex Kelly (from ‘Talkabout’) and other £25. Tel: 01257 245 290 or email: are carried out in your area to develop speakers (tbc). Friends Meeting House, Euston [email protected] services. Update on RCSLT position paper. (opp Euston Station). Members free; non- Annual subscription £10; SLTAs £5. Email: members £15. Space limited so book your place. [email protected] or Email: [email protected] or Peninsular Adult Dysphagia SIG (WE16) [email protected]. tel: 020 8315 4706 17 September, 9.30am - 4.30pm Tel: 0121 465 8781 Study day: Cervical auscultation, with Alison Stroud. University College St Mark and St John, Plymouth. Autism SIG (Central region) (C20) Cost £40. Contact Flora Hall, tel: 01208 873 214 or Trent Voice SIG (C10) 17 July, 1pm - 3pm visit: http://media.marjon.ac.uk/dysphagiasig for 8 July, 9.30am - 4.30pm Open discussion meeting. Share your views on details and application form. New to voice study day. Mix of practical and future speakers or topics for the SIG etc. Meadow theoretical workshops to refresh voice Centre, 33-34 Faulkener Road, Solihull B92 8SY. assessment and therapy skills. Aimed at (Please note change of venue). Email: Kent Learning Disability SIG newly and recently-qualified therapists or [email protected] or tel: 01926 495 389 Forthcoming meetings (all 9.30am-12.30pm): those returning to voice work. Members £20; 30 September, Christine Edwards (from the Kent non-members £40. Email: Autistic Trust) on Social Stories; 4 December, Phillipa [email protected] or Lancashire and North West SIG (Adults with Benson on communication assessment in visual tel: 0115 970 9221 Learning Disabilities) N22 impairment; 12 March 2009, AGM and Chloe 22 July, 1.30pm - 4pm Watkins on autism, communication work and ABA. North West Autism Consortium (Speaker: Mari Rochester Healthy Living Centre, Delce Road ME1 Saeki, National Autistic Society). Pike Lane 2EL. Annual membership £7 or £3 per meeting. Not West Midlands Fluency SIG Centre, Bolton, Lancs BL3 5HP (01204 874 444). on our contacts list? Email: 8 July, 9.30am – 4.30pm Free. Email: [email protected] [email protected] Brief AGM, followed by an introduction to (secretary), tel: 01942 832 592 or tel: 01634 337 497 and demonstration of VOICEAMP device by Alan Falcks. What is it? Who can it help? How can we use it as part of therapy? Northern Research SIG (N30) Voice SIG (North East) Birmingham City University, Room 702, 5 September 9.15am – 12.30pm 3-4 November, 9.30am - 4.30pm Baker Building. Members free; non-members Integrating research and EBP into SLT clinical Two-day Accent Method Course with Sara Harris £5. Email: [email protected] or practice. Workshop with contributions from Jan and Dinah Harris at Chester le Street Hospital, tel: 0121 465 2370. Broomfield, RCSLT Councillor for Research and County Durham. £80. Email: Development and Alison Proudfoot, North East [email protected] or tel: 0191 333 2608 SHA Representative, RCSLT Management Board. North West Community Clinic SIG Newcastle University, free. Email: 16 July, 9am – 12pm [email protected], tel: 01670 503256 SIG Mental Health (UKRI08) Presentation: parent training in clinics for 4-5 November children with expressive language We have a few remaining places for two-day difficulties. Discussions about assessments, Head and Neck Oncology SIG (UKRI10) ‘Mindfulness’ training with Carolyn Cheasman and this month: DEAP. Pikes Lane Health Centre, 9 September, 10am - 4pm Jan Logan. Central London. SIG Members £50; non- Bolton. Cost information on request. Email: ‘Psychological issues in head and neck cancer’ members £60. [email protected] (and AGM). Bethel Convention Centre, Oldbury, Email: [email protected]
Send your SIG notice by email to: [email protected] by 7 July for the August issue. Take advantage of the new low-price room booking rates at the RCSLT for your next SIG meeting. Visit: www.rcslt.org/about/roombooking
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