This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by O'Toole, C. Articles by Kirkpatrick, V. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Building collaboration between professionals in health and education through interdisciplinary training

Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University College Cork , Ireland, c.otoole{at}ucc.ie

Vickie Kirkpatrick

Speech and Language Therapy Department, COPE Foundation, Cork, Ireland

This study examined the impact of a training programme which aimed to support language-, literacy- and social-communication-promoting strategies for professionals working with children with language delay. Sixteen teachers, special needs assistants and therapists based in services for children with mild to severe learning difficulties attended workshops and took part in six video-feedback sessions from the Hanen `Learning Language and Loving It' Programme (Weitzman, 1992). Video analysis found that participants' language and social interaction skills significantly improved on most of the targeted skills. However, the majority of skills needed further development as indicated by a rating scale. There was also a significant improvement in how participants rated their skills in working with children with speech and language difficulties and in their attitudes towards their role in remediating speech and language difficulties. There was no significant change in their opinions towards collaborative working practices. The findings suggest that with appropriate training, allied education and health professionals can produce measurable changes in behaviour and attitudes towards implementing speech- and language-promoting strategies.

Key Words: speech and language therapy • collaboration • special education • learning disability • Learning Language and Loving It

References

• Ahsam, S., Shepherd, J. and Warren-Adamson, C. 2006: Working with preschool practitioners to improve interactions. Child Language Teaching and Therapy 22, 197—217.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Baxendale, J. and Hesketh, A. 2003: Comparison of the effectiveness of the Hanen Parent Programme and traditional clinic therapy. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders 38, 397—415.[CrossRef]
• Bolton, G. 2006, Winter: A special education. Speech and Language Therapy in Practice, 10—13.
• Coulter, L. and Gallagher, C. 2001: Evaluation of the Hanen Early Childhood Educators Programme. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, Supplement, 264—69.
• Girolametto, L., Weitzman, E. and Greenberg, J. 2000a: The Teacher Interaction and Language Rating Scale. Toronto: The Hanen Centre.
• Girolametto, L., Hoaken L., Weitzman, E. and van Lieshout, R. 2000b: Patterns of Adult-Child Linguistic interaction in Integrated Day Care Groups. Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools 31, 155—68.
• Girolametto, L., Weitzman, E. and van Lieshout, R. 2000c: Directiveness in teachers' language input to toddlers and preschoolers in day care. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research 43, 1101—14.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Girolametto, L. and Weitzman, E. 2002: Responsiveness of child care providers in interactions with toddlers and preschoolers. Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools 33, 268—81.
• Girolametto, L., Weitzman, E. and Greenberg, J. 2003: Training Day Care Staff to Facilitate Children's language. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 12, 299—311.
• Graham, J. 1995: Interprofessional collaboration in the special school. Unpublished PhD thesis, London Institute of Education, London.
• Hartas, D. 2004: Teacher and speech-language therapist collaboration: Being equal and achieving a common goal. Child Language Teaching and Therapy 20, 33—54.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Joyce, B. and Showers, B. 1988: Student achievement through staff development New York: Longman.
• Kersner, M. and Wright, J. 1996: Collaboration between teacher and speech and language therapists working with children with severe learning disabilities: Implications for professional development. British Journal of Learning Disabilities 24, 33—37.
• Law, J., Lindsay, G., Peacey, N., Gascoigne, M., Soloff, N., Radford, J. and Band, S. 2000: Provision for children with speech and language needs in England and Wales: facilitating communication between education and health services. London: DfEE/DoH.
• Law, J., Lindsay, G., Peacey, N., Gascoigne, M., Soloff, N., Radford, J. and Band, S. 2002: Consultation as a model for providing speech and language therapy in schools: A panacea or one step too far? Child Language Teaching and Therapy 18, 145—63.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• McCartney, E. 1999: Barriers to collaboration: An analysis of systemic barriers to collaboration between teachers and speech and language therapist. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders 34, 431—40.[CrossRef]
• Manolson, H.A. 1992: It takes two to talk: A parent's guide to helping children communicate. Toronto: The Hanen Centre.
• Mirenda, P. and Donnellan, A. 1986: Effects of adult interaction style on conversational behaviour of students with severe communication problems. Language Speech and Hearing Services in School 17, 126—42.
• Mroz, M. 2006: Providing training in speech and language for education professional: Challenges, support and the view from the ground. Child Language Teaching and Therapy 22, 155—76.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Nind, M. 1996: Efficacy of intensive interaction: Developing sociability and communication in people with severe and complex learning difficulties using an approach based on caregiver-infant interaction. European Journal of Special Needs Education 11, 167—80.
• Oldroyd, D. and Hall, V. 1991: Managing staff development: A handbook for secondary schools London: Chapman.
• Patterson, A. 2001: Training and educating colleagues. In Kersner, M. and Wright, J., editors, Speech and language therapy: The decision making process when working with children. London: David Fulton.
• Proctor-Williams, K. 1996, Summer: The Hanen programme for early childhood educators: A pilot project. WigWag, 7—9.
• Purcell, M., McConkey, R. and Morris, I. 2000: Staff communication with people with learning disabilities: The impact of a work-based training programme. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders 35, 147—58.[CrossRef]
• Robson, R. 2002: Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers, second edition London: Blackwell.
• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, 2006: Communicating quality 3: Professional standards for speech and language therapists. London: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Slater, S. 2006, October: Making Learning Language and Loving It work in rural Oklahoma: A modular approach. WigWag, 9—10.
• Weitzman. E. 1992: Learning Language and Loving It. Toronto: The Hanen Centre.
• Weitzman, E. and Greenberg, J. 2002: Learning Language and Loving It: A guide to promoting children social and language development in early childhood settings, second edition. Toronto: Hanen Centre Publications.
• Wren, Y. 2003: Using scenarios to evaluation a professional development programme for teaching staff. Child Language Teaching and Therapy 19, 115—34.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Wright, J. 2001: Working with other professionals. In Kersner, M. and Wright, J., editors, Speech and language therapy: The decision making process when working with children. London: David Fulton.
• Wright, J. and Graham, J. 1997: Where and when do speech and language therapists work with teachers? British Journal of Special Education 24, 171—74.[CrossRef]

Child Language Teaching and Therapy, Vol. 23, No. 3, 325-352 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0265659007080685


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by O'Toole, C. Articles by Kirkpatrick, V. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?