Speechmag

Penultimate issue of Speech & Language Therapy in Practice now out

The Autumn 11 issue of Speech & Language Therapy in Practice has been mailed today, so subscribers can expect it through their door very soon!

Cover star Dan sustained a severe head injury in 2007, and Lindsay King describes how revisiting Melodic Intonation Therapy has helped his recovery. Our second 'How I manage acquired brain injury' contribution comes from Laura Flynn in Jersey and is written in memory of another inspiring client, Suzannah Pemberton.

The client-centred theme continues with Karen Leadbitter's reflection on empowering Rhys, a man in his thirties with Down's syndrome, to participate in training his own staff. Lynsey Paterson also concentrates on training, using a literature review to develop parent training following an autism diagnosis.

In the well received Journal Club, Jennifer Reid tackles critical appraisal of observational studies, and subscribers can download two associated frameworks from the members' area of www.speechmag.com. Sam Simpson & Cathy Sparkes continue their goal negotiation series, and include discussion of the thought-provoking Model of Change by Prochaska and DiClemente (1986).

In 2009, Louise Greenstock wrote an interim report on her PhD research into the use of graphic symbols in schools, and here she shares her final findings. These include a theoretical framework which looks as if it would be very helpful in practice.

Alison Roberts is back with 'Here's one I made earlier'. Her low cost and fun therapy suggestions for groups have proved so popular that Speechmark has released a book of them! Cynthia Pelman tells us about one of her top resources, Stern Structural Arithmetic, and Jan Broomfield explores the ethical issues raised when your new referral is the son of your Trust's Chief Executive Officer... 

As well as reviews and editor's choice from the journals, we have brief contributions from Diana James about Paget Gorman Signed Speech, and a delightful snapshot of Nicola Grove's granddaughters talking about talking. As always there are great reader offers, including a Grow Words resource set, books from Plural Publishing and the recently released New Reynell Developmental Language Scales (NRDLS).

You can sign up for all 4 issues in the final year of Speech & Language Therapy in Practice. You will also receive the Winter 10 issue free, and get access to the members' area of www.speechmag.com until 29 February 2012.

Picture menu launched to help people with communication difficulties in hospital

No-one would choose to be in hospital but, if we have to be, the majority of us can at least read the hospital menu and choose our preferred dishes. Unfortunately people who have difficulty communicating - including those who have aphasia, or English as an additional language, or who find reading hard - don't have that luxury. As a result, they miss out on making choices for themselves, and may also miss out on nutrition.

Recognising the problem, speech and language therapist Karen Rodger started to explore the possibility of making an aphasia-friendly hospital menu around 10 years ago. In 2006 she wrote the article 'Some hae meat' about her project for Speech & Language Therapy in Practice. Today I was delighted to catch up with Karen as the Nutrition Standards Service Improvement Programme rolled out the finished product to the main hospital in her NHS area.  

High quality photographs of food choices on the hospital menu are presented in a large, durable ring binder. Copies are available in certain wards and through speech and language therapy and dietetics. Karen has worked with colleagues from dietetics and catering as well as with patients and carers to develop the resource. She is now hoping that the publicity surrounding the launch will make nursing staff aware of the availability of this simple but effective tool, and of the difference it can make to the lives of a variety of patients.

Identifying and supporting 'Other ways of speaking' to ensure everyone can have a voice

Gesure, signing, symbols, boards and books, adapted computers and Voice Output Communication Aids -  in the words of the Hello campaign, 'Other Ways of Speaking' that ensure everyone can have a voice.

My final year project 23 years ago was on 'Using computers with people with aphasia'. Technology has moved on unimaginably since then, and people with communication difficulties are benefiting as AAC (Alternative & Augmentative Communication) becomes ever more adaptable, portable and affordable.

Speech and language therapists have a crucial role in ensuring the 'other ways' are appropriate to the individual's needs and functional in real life situations. The difference matters between aphasia and dysarthria, a physical disability and intellectual disability, or a language impairment that may or may not involve comprehension, as does the age, personality and interests of the client. The right choice of 'other ways of speaking' and support to establish their use in everyday communication is vital.

Manufacturers of voice output communication aids are taking their role seriously. Euan Robertson is Clinical Application Specialist at DynaVox Mayer-Johnson. He says, "I strongly believe a manufacturer's job is not over when a device is sold. Implementation is the difficult part, and AAC manufacturers have a responsibility to help this process. As such, DynaVox have created the Implementation Toolkit and run free workshops across the country. Although DynaVox InterAACt software is demonstrated, the strategies can be used with any form of high or low tech AAC system."

The recently launched MyChoicePad is making impressive use of its website and social media to spread the word about appropriate and functional use through short videos. Developed with the full support and collaboration of the Makaton charity, 'chief juggler' Zoe Peden says, "The angle we've taken is not just that of a low cost AAC device, but more about building the skills for communication using symbols and signs."  

The Makaton charity has also been involved in the production of the free 'Other Ways of Speaking' resource, along with 1Voice, ACE Centre, ACE Centre North, Scope and Signalong, as member organisations of Communication Matters. Anna Reeves from ACE Centre North says, "It is imperative that the needs of children and young people who have difficulties speaking are identified at an early age. Finding the right method of communication can have a dramatic impact on a child or young person's life - helping them to express themselves, participate in decisions, and improve their self esteem, which will ultimately impact on their contribution to society at large."

For proof of this, you only need to watch this video, produced by the ACE Centre for Hello, as part of the National Year of Communication:

 

Summer 11 Speech & Language Therapy in Practice out now!

The Summer 11 issue  of Speech & Language Therapy in Practice magazine was mailed to subscribers on Friday and Saturday, so should be with you very soon.

As well as the second instalment in the new goal negotiation series and an 'In Brief' contribution that puts the accent on aphasia, we have an uplifting story of the evolution and impact of a total communication project across Devon. In 'Journal Club', Jen Reid provides a framework for critical appraisal of intervention studies, while 'Boundary Issues' looks at the ethics of new professional roles.

We hear about a collaborative project with a children's centre and library service in an area of deprivation, which seems to highlight the benefits of targeting training on selected individuals. We also get a glimpse into the speech, language and communication needs of prisoners completing community sentences.

The cover feature is on using the evidence in dysphagia management. Hannah Crawford and Julie Bake explain why they have moved away from previous practice and introduced oral taster programmes with people with learning disabilities who gain their nutrition via PEG, while Celia Harding and colleagues use a problem solving framework to support appropriate intervention for infants and children with early feeding, eating and drinking difficulties.

We have reader offers for Photosymbols 4, I CAN Secondary Talk narrative and a Grow Words resource set, as well as Editor's Choice, three pages of reviews and 'Here's one I made earlier' on encouraging clients to make their own books. As always it is good to the very last page, where Kate Balzer shares some of the ideas for working with people with dementia from a SIGDOM therapy swapshop.

Enjoy!

Spring has sprung at Speech & Language Therapy in Practice

Mailing of the bumper Spring 11 issue of Speech & Language Therapy in Practice is now complete and, as always, it is blooming with practical and inspiring articles.

We have a new arrival, Whose goal is it anyway?, a series for 2011 on goal negotiation from Sam Simpson and Cathy Sparkes. Journal club continues with a look at critically appraising systematic reviews, Editor's choice is on stammering, and Boundary issues is back with the ethical minefield when work and home life meet.

Other articles are on:

• putting people with learning disabilities in control of where they live and with whom
• introducing TOPICC (Targeted Observation of Pragmatics in Children's Conversations)
• reducing the risk of choking in adults with learning disabilities or mental illness
• training people with aphasia and their carers to communicate effectively beyond therapy
• resources for being an effective national specialist adviser.

And, as you would expect, we have fantastic reader offers (for NDP3 Speech Builder, Grow Words, and Independence Through Communication) as well as reviews of books and resources and more low cost ideas for groups in Here's one I made earlier.

New subscribers to Speech & Language Therapy in Practice should note that, in addition to the 4 issues for 2011, they will get a free copy of the Winter 10 issue.

Happy reading!

4 bursary places at No Mind Left Behind conference to benefit cash-strapped speech and language therapy departments

You're hearing it here first! In recognition of the vital part that speech and language therapists play in the field of learning difficulties, Mindroom is offering the profession 4 free places at the forthcoming major international conference No Mind Left Behind.

The conference runs from 29-30 March 2011 in Glasgow. Delegates also receive access to the Virtual conference for up to a year. It will feature 52 international speakers from the fields of learning difficulties, autism, ADHD and other early onset neurodevelopmental disorders. They include a speech language pathologist from Sweden, Carmela Miniscalco, who will be speaking about her work on early diagnosis of autism.

The cost for professionals attending the conference is £495 + VAT, but Mindroom founder Sophie Dow decided to offer these bursary places specifically to speech and language therapists following my blog post about the impact of cuts on training budgets.

She says, "The offer is for 4 free places at both days of No Mind Left Behind. This includes the bonus of access to the Virtual conference for up to a year. In other words, it also offers fantastic in-house training opportunities for an entire department."

Interested speech and language therapists should contact Sophie (email [email protected]) as soon as possible. Successful applicants will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation.

What a brilliant CPD opportunity - good luck!

 

New 'Communicating ethics' article explores use of Seedhouse grid

There wasn't room for 'Boundary issues' in the Winter 10 issue of Speech & Language Therapy in Practice - but don't despair if you missed your ethics fix, as I have just published an online only article which explores the use of the Seedhouse grid.

'Communicating ethics' is a collaborative effort from Professor Jois Stansfield of Manchester Metropolitan University and Jane Handley, one of her former students and now a practising therapist.

When Jane was in her final year she found a series of workshops on a case-based approach to ethical reasoning very helpful. As she says, we frequently need to make decisions that "are often difficult to resolve because they present ethical dilemmas which cannot be reasoned out with logic alone. To achieve the best possible outcome, it seems that a moral judgement is also required." 

The article explores how Jane used David Seedhouse's Ethical grid with a hypothetical client, Bryan (5), who has profound physical and cognitive disabilities. His parents are looking for a second opinion, as they do not believe sufficient time is being allocated to his feeding in school or in respite. This was the first Manchester Metropolitan University speech and language therapy case to be presented in Seedhouse's Values Exchange, an online approach to ethical decision-making.

Major conferences in 2011 and how to get there

With training budgets severely constrained, it is likely UK speech and language therapists will have to use some ingenuity to access funds for major conferences in 2011.

If you're not quite ready to have a car boot sale or go busking, the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT) offers minor grants up to £500. These are awarded on merit to members for activities which will “benefit the profession of speech and language therapy” and “enhance their own professional development”. The ‘Grants and awards’ section of its website also lists external sources of funding.

A number of conferences with exciting programmes are coming up this year. In addition to Caroline Bowen's Speech Sound Disorders (9-10 March, York) which I have already blogged about, here are a few more:

29-30 March 2011
No Mind Left Behind, Glasgow
The 52 speakers from a range of backgrounds in autism, ADHD and other early onset neurodevelopmental disorders include Lorna Wing, Simon Baron-Cohen, Jeremy Turk and Sam Goldstein. Topics include collaborative working, the impact on parents and families, attachment, and what makes different conditions (such as autism, Tourettes, intellectual disabilities, obsessive compulsive disorder, epilepsy) distinctive and similar.

2-3 April 2011
NAPLIC
Championing Better Communication: Theory, Practice and Innovation
University of Warwick
Early booking discount available until 31 January.
Keynote speakers include Jean Gross, Julie Dockrell, James Law and Sue Roulstone.

13-14 June 2011
Child Language Seminar
Newcastle
Themes include child language and literacy, children with speech, language and communication needs, capturing change in child language and bilingual and cross-linguistic perspectives on child language. Keynote Speakers include Maggie Snowling, James Law, Sheena Reilly and Elizabeth Pena.

PS Eagle-eyed Norbert Lieckfeldt (Chief Executive of the British Stammering Association) has pointed out that I failed to mention the 9th Oxford Dysfluency Conference, 1-4 September 2011. Abstracts are due by 1 April.

Contact a Family Directory lists information on 430 disabilities and health conditions

I still remember the first time I heard about autism, when a parent came to talk to our Guide Company over 30 years ago. As a new graduate, I read up on Neurofibromatosis, which affected one of my young clients. A few years later I learned about Fragile X Syndrome and the Fragile X Society through a very dedicated parent whose son is now a young adult. 

If you work with disabled children and their families, you will come across many who already have a diagnosis, or who are going through an assessment process where a diagnosis may help those around the child understand their needs. Some you may have heard of - awareness of CHARGE syndrome, for example, is growing. But others, such as Dravet Syndrome or Wolfram Syndrome, may be completely new. Contact a Family added these recently to their Directory. This lists physical symptoms, psychological and behavioural characteristics for 430 disabilities and health conditions, along with details of relevant UK support groups.

Chief Executive Srabani Sen says, "Families really appreciate it when speech and language therapists find out about their child's condition. It helps them feel more understood and less isolated. Research shows that parents of disabled children who enjoy positive relationships with the professionals involved in their children's care often cite them as important sources of emotional and practical support."

The Contact a Family Directory is available online (£17.25 per year) and in print (£40), tel. 020 7608 8700.

Training people with learning disabilities to tell stories

"Stories give meaning to our lives - we are storytelling creatures who are constantly reviewing and interpreting our experiences and making link with what has happened to others" (Storytracks, 2009)

Lesley Johnson used this quote to open an article about a collaborative approach to developing narrative in people with learning disabilities in the Winter 09 issue of Speech & Language Therapy in Practice (see abstract). She explains how a visit from four members of Openstorytellers, including speech and language therapist Nicola Grove and musician Jane Harwood, inspired the development of her own project with "wonderful practical ideas for structure of the sessions, opening and closing activities and stories".

Openstorytellers enables people with learning disabilities to tell stories and build a strong sense of personal and cultural heritage. While it has secured a grant to train people with learning disabilities to manage the organisation, it has at the same time lost business in cancelled projects due to the current financial climate. If you would be interested in commissioning the group to do training or a performance, or in linking as partners in some way email Director Nicola Grove ([email protected]).  

Openstorytellers also has a page on Facebook.

Reference
Johnson, L. (2009) 'How I create creativity (2): Defining who I am', Speech & Language Therapy in Practice Winter, pp.26-28.