Speechmag

Spring 10 issue of Speech & Language Therapy in Practice out now

The courier has just been to take the authors' copies of the Spring 10 issue which means mailing is now complete. Spring 10 includes the first of a new ethics series considering everyday events which need to be on our ethical radar screen. In 'Brought to (Face)book', Jois Stansfield and Frances McAleer think through some of the implications of social networking for speech and language therapists.

As well as reviews, reader offers and Editor's Choice, other content includes:

• adductor spasmodic dysphonia - the case for speech and language therapy (not Botox)
• using the East Kent Outcome System in community stroke teams
• Talking Mats facilitate an accurate mental state assessment
• Clifford Hughes' personal story of rediscovering his voice after a laryngectomy
• a debate on the value of cognitive therapy in dementia
• resources from the 'Every Child a Talker' programme
• training early years practitioners to teach attention and listening skills
• suitable books for working with small groups of children in education settings
• Here's one I made earlier with a dating theme
• in brief (choice of words; accessible information; direct therapy).

Hopefully all UK readers will receive their copies by the end of this week, with the air mail ones not taking much longer, and you can get reading! 

Wordworks supports early literacy, empowers parents and fosters resilience

Cynthia Pelman, who joined Speech & Language Therapy in Practice recently following several years working abroad, says the Wordworks charity in South Africa is "continuing to do wonderful work which I am a bit sad not to be part of any more."

The three main strands of Wordworks are:

1. supporting early literacy and language development through training volunteers, teaching assistants, library staff and community workers
2. empowering parents to support learning in the home, especially when they may not have had the benefit of educational opportunities themselves. This is the legacy for many families in South Africa from the apartheid years. (This photo includes a dad who had never held a pen or pencil before.)
3. addressing the psychosocial needs of children in disadvantaged communities - in other words, "doing hope".

It is interesting to note that the project doesn't just value learning but recognises the strong, consistent, supportive relationships forged with volunteers are key to the success of the literacy program. The use of Hero Books alongside the literacy work aims to foster resilience, with the emphasis on "how they cope with difficulties, what brings them joy and uplifts them, what they do to get the support they need to make the best of their lives". Therapists who wish to run programs for parents and volunteers should have a look at the Wordworks' freely available resources.

Cynthia says that, thanks to previous generosity on the part of donors, the charity has more than enough books, but you can contact her or see the website to find out how to contribute financially. Speech and language therapists may be particularly interested in the suggestions of practical support which could make interesting projects for their clients. (For more information on project work, see Simpson, Denman & Gale's 'Walking with Dobermanns' in the Autumn and Winter 09 issues of Speech & Language Therapy in Practice.)

Speech and language therapy using Skype - research update

Reader Rebecca Matthews has sent me her annual newsletter, which includes a report on progress with her PhD research into delivering therapy to children over the internet via Skype.

Rebecca was motivated to investigate service delivery by videoconferencing to save fuel and make the most of clinical time and says so far opinions are "positive and encouraging". Now in the third year of her research at UCL, she is looking to identify what makes the provision of speech and language therapy via Skype acceptable to people. She is collecting the views of children and parents as well as analysing the activity in both face-to-face and Skype sessions.

Importantly, Rebecca is also looking at video recordings of both types of sessions to see what differences there may be in speaking and working. She has already noted that, as children have to give her instructions via Skype rather than pointing as they can do in a face-to-face session, they are automatically encouraged to do more talking.

Rebecca's review of the TinyEye videoconferencing system for Speech & Language Therapy in Practice is in our Autumn 08 issue (p.28). In a different field of the profession, Susan Howell has reported positively on a feasibility study into the use of the internet, a webcam and broadband to deliver Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) to people with Parkinson's disease.

Creating creativity - Bible Stories in Cockney Rhyming Slang

Readers of Keith Park's article 'Extra! Extra! Read all about it!' in the Winter 09 issue will enjoy this video about his work:

Keith tells me that further performances are planned at Canterbury Cathedral (January 20th and April 28th 2010), Westminster Abbey (February 10th 2010), Rochester Cathedral (March 3rd 2010). Anyone is welcome, but should contact Keith first ([email protected]).