18 Mar Communication difficulties and Talking Mats
Speech and Language therapist Dr Jill Bradshaw (National Clinical Advisor for Learning Disabilities – Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists) will be presenting a keynote speech which focuses on how Talking Mats can help people with communication difficulties to express themselves at the upcoming Autism Therapy Conference which takes place on 1st April 2022 at Haydock Park Racecourse.
Dr Bradshaw, who is also the academic lead for the Understanding Autism Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), will be covering areas that include how we work out why behaviours that are challenging occur, how we can gain access to the views of children and adults and how Talking Mats may be one way of achieving access.
She will discuss how the team at Talking Mats have developed a series of mats that have explored helping children and adults give their own views by focussing on:
- Likes and dislikes
- Difficult behaviours
- Things that help
- Things that don’t help
- General preventative variables
Dr Bradshaw will present her findings in an hour long keynote speech that will be helpful for both professionals, parents and carers with an interest in the subject.
Communication difficulties and Talking Mats
Dr Bradshaw said “Using Talking Mats certainly enabled some people to give their views. It was particularly helpful as a way of talking about difficulties, where a focus on the mat rather than on direct questioning was useful. I am really looking forward to be able to present some broader conclusions at the conference”.
Helen Driver, Head of Therapy and Clinical Services at Wargrave House School, said “Dr Bradshaw’s research is of great interest to our community and we are really excited to hear her presentation. Along with Susan Allen, PhD researcher and Biza Stenfert Kroese, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and author we are delighted to have so many experts able to present at our inaugural conference that will benefit our whole sector”.
You can read more about Dr Bradshaw’s work here: https://www.talkingmats.com/positive-behaviour-support/
Notes
Sundial Autism Therapy Conference takes place on 1st April 2022 at Haydock Park Racecouse and will feature Keynote speakers, including Temple Grandin, Susan Allen, Dr Jill Bradshaw, Biza Stenfert Kroese as well as workshops and Autism in Racing’s Bobby Beevers.
Tickets are available from Eventbrite