Interconnections Worldwide

Working internationally to share information, help build knowledge and support teamwork around babies, children and young people who are disabled, marginalised or vulnerable

The home of Team Around the Child (TAC) and the Multiagency Keyworker

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Finding the 'invisible' voice of children with speech and language needs

roulstonepbNew publication: A group of experts in speech, language and communication has teamed up to create a book about the importance of listening to children with SLCN.

Listening to Children and Young People with Speech, Language and Communication Needs, edited by Sue Roulstone and Sharynne McLeod, features chapters by many well-known experts in the field including The Communication Trust's Professional Director Wendy Lee, Hazel Roddam PhD, Chair of Council at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and Chris Markham PhD, a senior lecturer from University of Portsmouth.

Chapters have also been contributed by Abigail Beverly – a young person who grew up with speech and language difficulties and graduated from Central St Martin's in London – and Robbie Simons, a student with Asperger's Syndrome who took part in the Speech and Language Therapy Project.

It is widely known that there are great benefits to consulting children with speech, language and communication needs, but very little has previously been written about the challenges involved in the process.

The editors and authors of the book, published by J&R Press, have pledged to donate £1.50 from the sale of each book to Afasic, a charity which supports children with speech and language difficulties and their parents.

In the book, the authors look at:

  • The voice of the children and young people with speech, language and communication needs
  • Insights from researchers, speech and language therapists, social workers, psychologists, teachers, advocates and parents
  • A diversity of disciplines: health, education and social care
  • A range of creative techniques and solutions for listening to children and young people
  • Links to service implications.

Linda Lascelles, Chief Executive Officer at Afasic, said: "We're delighted to have contributed to this book and that the authors have decided to give all the royalties to Afasic. This will go towards our work in helping children who have a speech and language impairment. Too often this group of children is invisible. If we are to understand what they want from services and how they can best be tailored to meet their needs, it is crucial for us to listen and consult with them."

Sue Roulstone said "It has been a fantastic experience to collaborate with so many knowledgeable people. The book is full of their expertise in listening to the voices of those with speech, language and communication needs. Professor McLeod and I hope that the book provides a useful resource and stimulus to others who work with these children and young people."

The book is available to order from publisher JR Press priced at £19.99 (not including postage and packing). To order a copy visit the website here.

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The Secret Agent Society teaches emotion regulation and social skills

SAS_program_charactersThe Secret Agent Society is an internationally recognised group program that teaches emotion regulation and social skills to 8 to 12 year-olds with Autism Spectrum Conditions (Asperger type).   

University of Queensland research (RCT) has shown that 76 per cent of children who participated in the program improved from having clinically significant delays in social functioning to showing social skills within the range of typically developing kids. 

The highly interactive SAS program uses an animated computer game (finalist 2009 Australian Interactive Media Industry Association Educational Game of the Year), small group child therapy sessions, parent information sessions and teacher handouts to help children develop essential life skills such as how to recognise emotions in themselves and others, express their feelings in appropriate ways, how to talk and play with others, make and keep friends, cope with change and deal with bullying. 

For practitioners who primarily work individually with children, the SAS Computer Game Pack is a valuable tool to teach children how to recognize and manage their feelings and solve social problems. 

In addition to the four-level animated SAS computer game, the pack contains engaging visual aids to help children practice and generalize skills to real life. 

"This program is a great resource for clinicians, teachers and families.  It provides the skills and resources needed to fully engage children on the autism spectrum – and make learning fun!  I highly recommend the Secret Agent Society program as the resources are innovative, well targeted and can make a big difference to how children on the spectrum manage their home and school life."   Dr Tony Atwood, International expert on Asperger's Syndrome.

To find out more about the program, visit our website. Or contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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A Life Free from Hunger: Tackling child malnutrition

famineWhat are the causes of malnutrition, the solutions, and the politics? This report sets out six steps to tackle the crisis. A report by Save the Children. Published February 2012

 

The world has enough food for everyone, but millions of children face a life sentence of hunger and malnutrition – the hidden reason so many die.

 

This report analyses the causes of malnutrition, focusing on chronic malnutrition and stunting in children. It identifies solutions that are proven to be effective:

·         direct interventions, such as exclusive breastfeeding, micronutrient supplementation and fortification

·         indirect interventions, such as introducing social protection programmes, and adapting agricultural production to meet the nutritional needs of children.

 

Crucially, this report then examines the political factors that contribute to the global burden of hunger and malnutrition.

 

Action must be taken now to prevent the crisis deteriorating and even more children suffering the life-long consequences. This report recommends how governments, multilateral agencies, business and individuals can play their part in tackling the problem – and help give every child a life free from hunger.

 

For more information, click here.

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