July 24, 2011

Listening to children and young people with speech, language and communication needs

While in Montreal, Prof Sue Roulstone (from the University of the West of England) and I have finished and submitted a book titled: Listening to children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. This book began last year, when I was visiting Bristol.

The book profiles the voice of the children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. Throughout the book, many examples of children’s opinions and thoughts are included, delivered via a range of frontiers, including art, photographs, and quotes.

Fifty people have contributed chapters to this book providing insights from speech and language therapists, social workers, psychologists, teachers, researchers, advocates, parents, and young people with speech, language and communication needs.
*Part I provides views about the importance of listening to children written by advocates for children with speech, language and communication needs.
*Part II unpacks the complexities and issues, providing theoretical perspectives about the listening process.
*Part III contains real life examples of listening to children and young people through structured reports of research and clinical projects. One of the aims of this part is to document a range of creative techniques and solutions for listening to children and young people. Additionally, Part III includes key messages from children and young people with speech, language and communication needs about their lives, and their insights into how services can be improved to better accommodate their needs.

It is our hope that book will provide direction for health, education, and social care services to enhance the lives of children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.
Prof Sue Roulstone and Sharynne with a sample version of their new book