Please note: this training is online via Zoom.

Description

This three day training course will aim to increase speech and language therapists’ knowledge and skills in assessing and supporting primary school-aged children. The course will also aim to develop participants’ confidence in working with this age group. It will be supported by video, discussion, skills practice and clinical resources (including 2 webinars) that will be emailed to participants in advance of the course. This course is appropriate for therapists working with children from 8 to 14 years old.

The transferable skills taught in this course include engaging parents in the assessment and therapy process; communicating complex and/or sensitive information to parents; using video feedback to develop parents’ confidence and skills; and addressing wider child management issues with parents, e.g. emotional, behavioural issues. These skills are applicable with a wide range of clinical contexts and caseloads.

Course content

Pre-course webinars: 

1. A multifactorial model of stammering and relevant research
2. Assessing the outward features of stammering

Day 1: Theoretical issues and assessment:

Assessing primary school-aged children: case history, child interview and how to develop a formulation of the individual child’s needs

Developing an effective therapeutic relationship with children and their families, drawing on SFBT and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Principles and components of a treatment package using video interaction as a basis for change

Day 2: Working collaboratively with families:

Palin Stammering Therapy for Children (Palin STC): use of video to facilitate change (drawing on Palin PCI principles)

An introduction to using SFBT to identify children’s and parents’ strengths, best hopes and signs of change

Discussion about specific communication skills, praise and reinforcement, problem-solving and negotiation skills in the family

A series of session-by-session activities will be presented which form the structure for this communication skills approach

Day 3:  Putting skills into practice in the clinic and beyond: 

Discussion of both fluency shaping and speech modification approaches and integration of these approaches in the broader context

Building confidence and managing feelings, fears and avoidance

Transfer and maintenance

Group skills – weekly groups and children’s intensive course

Teasing and bullying and liaison with schools – working effectively with teachers

This workshop will combine theory with video-observation, skills practice, discussion and problem-solving.

*The timing given is approximate.

Learning outcomes
At the end of this course participants will:

Be familiar with assessment protocols for primary school-aged children and their families

Be familiar with the principles and practice of Family Communication Skills Therapy (FCS), including use of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) scaling

Be familiar with the principles of CBT and activities to use with children who stammer and their parents

Be familiar with fluency shaping and speech modification approaches to speech management

Be more confident about assessing and supporting primary school-aged children

Please read our booking terms and conditions before booking.

Please note: there are two webinars to watch before the course (lasting about one hour each). These will be sent to you via email alongside the Zoom  link and handouts about 2 weeks before the course or once you have booked (if this is less than two weeks before the course). Please allow time to watch these webinars prior to the course which give an overview of the theory and evidence base for early stammering.

What previous participants have said:

“Excellent use of real examples, videos and group activities. Presenter knowledge and expertise was clear” 

“Lots of practical information, real life experiences and opportunities to try out activities” 

“The presenter was exemplary. Thoughtful, delivered with energy, easy to listen to and a good pace” 

“I found the activities and practise activities very useful. Seeing the skilled therapists at work was wonderful” 

“Clear, well paced, engaging and I felt comfortable to contribute”

INVOICES: 

If you would like to pay for your course by invoice an administration fee of £20 per person will be added to the course fee. Please add this additional £20 onto your form when you select to pay by invoice e.g. cost of course: £435.