Speech and Language Therapy Development in Ghana

• Speech and language therapy development in Ghana
• Overcoming barriers as a new profession
• Future plans to increase accessibility and employment

Verbal Dyspraxia or Childhood Apraxia of Speech – a case study

• Case study on childhood apraxia of speech (DVD)
• Differentiating DVD from other speech disorders
• Strategies for practitioners to support children with speech difficulties

Wordless Books Supporting Language

• Using wordless picture books to develop communication skills
• Empowering children and adults to express emotions through visuals
• Beyond Words charity and resources for diverse audiences

Baby Talk and Play

• Explores how babies communicate before words, like turning away when overstimulated.
• Discusses the importance of caregivers "receiving" and making sense of a baby's distress.
• Offers strategies like using hand shapes to connect with a child's feelings before redirecting

Language acquisition and challenges

• Provides an overview of typical language development and how to identify delays.
• Shares engaging resources and activities to promote early language skills.
• Emphasizes building practitioner knowledge, collaborating with parents, and meeting individual needs.

English as an Additional Language - Teaching Internationally

• Shares her experience teaching in different countries, highlighting the benefits and challenges.
• Discusses strategies for supporting English language learners and promoting multilingualism.
• Offers insights into adapting pedagogy to diverse cultural contexts.

Stuttering - Inspiring confidence - an adult's perspective

• Shares his personal journey growing up with a stutter and its impact on his life.
• Strategies for building confidence and self-acceptance as a person who stutters.
• Advocates for raising awareness and understanding of stuttering, including through stand-up comedy

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

• Explains the theory and development of PECS for children with autism
• Outlines the six phases of PECS, from single picture exchange to commenting
• Shares tips for starting PECS, training staff, and overcoming challenges

Young Children's Non-Verbal Meaning Making

• Explores how young children's communication is deeply entangled with place, objects, and movement.
• Advocates for embracing diverse forms of meaning-making beyond just spoken language.
• Encourages slowing down and valuing non-obstructive practices in early years pedagogy.

Interactions And Language

• Provides insights into how children acquire language and the role of adults in this process.
• Offers practical strategies for promoting language across all areas of development.
• Discusses ways to engage with parents and support their involvement in language development.

Interactions And Language

• Identified 7 clusters representing characteristics of engaged families
• Emphasizes the importance of an open, honest relationship with families
• Provides practical strategies for building therapeutic relationships

Language And The Outdoors

• Outdoor environments promote emotional regulation, enabling deeper engagement and learning.
• Natural resources encourage imagination and richer conversations,
• enhancing language development.
  Practitioners should trust children, share power, and allow freedom for quality interactions.

Selective Mutism

• Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where a person struggles to speak in certain situations.
• Early intervention is crucial; practitioners can educate themselves and implement strategies.
• Support is available for adults with selective mutism to expand their comfort zones gradually.

Screening, Monitoring & Supporting Children's Speech Sound Development

• Engaging visual model to understand speech & language development holistically
• Low-pressure approach to support speech sounds through daily routines & activities
• Eco-friendly speech therapy resources promoting sustainability

English as an Additional Language

• Gather robust information about children's language exposure and skills from families
• Provide language-rich environments that reflect children's backgrounds and identities
• Facilitate meaningful interactions and model language in context for language acquisition

Children at Risk of Developing Speech & Language Difficulties

• Respond consistently to babies' cues to build intentional communication from birth
• Facilitate play experiences that develop symbolization skills for language learning
• Be a responsive interaction partner: wait, listen, comment rather than question

Early Childhood Stuttering - support and advice

• Stuttering involves disruptions in speech and feeling "stuck" while speaking
• Many young children stutter, but most recover without intervention
• Comprehensive therapy focused on communication skills is key

What Parents / Caregivers’ Know About Early Child Language Development And Why It Matters.

• Many parents understand the importance of interaction but lack specific knowledge
• TV/screen time impacts language development differently by age
• Clear, consistent messaging from professionals can improve parental knowledge

What How Words Shape The Way We Think / Caregivers’ Know About Early Child Language Development And Why It Matters.

• Explores the importance of mindful communication and its impact on children.
• Shares strategies for slowing down, observing closely, and listening deeply.
• Advocates for an inclusive, transdisciplinary approach to early education.

Toddler Talk & Child-Led Interactions

• Offers strategies for building attention skills and core vocabulary.
• Emphasizes accepting and affirming children's communication attempts.
• Provides resources for practitioners and parents on her website and courses.

Supporting the emotional needs of children with speech and language difficulties

• Explores how emotions impact brain functioning and learning in children with speech/language needs.
• Provides strategies for identifying emotional needs and collaborating with families for support.
• Offers top tips like using visuals for emotional literacy and building nurturing relationships.

The Language of Leadership

• Leaders should embrace being learners, enablers, mentors, and developers of their team.
• Use inclusive language like "we" to foster a collective journey towards quality experiences.
• Effective leaders nurture relationships, enable debate, risk-taking, and problem-solving.

Speech & Language - The Bedrock For Literacy

• Speech and language underpin all areas of child development, from interactions to learning and play.
• Identifying and addressing gaps in skills like auditory memory is crucial for literacy readiness.
• Involve parents as primary language facilitators and celebrate children's successes

Exploring Young Bilingual Children’s Learning At Home & In Nursery

• Recognizing the increasing diversity and importance of fostering bilingualism as a resource.
• Emphasising the cognitive and cultural benefits of maintaining the mother tongue.
• Advocating for strategies to support bilingual children's linguistic and cultural experiences.

Parent Support With Language Building & Communication

• Diverse online activities, books, and resources for parents to engage children aged 0-6
• Fun ideas like singing nursery rhymes in different languages and making "mud kitchens"
• Links to virtual libraries, author events, and literacy competitions

Utilising diverse books in an Early Years setting

• Tips for choosing quality diverse books with rich vocabulary and storylines
• Activities to extend books through dramatic play, music, science experiments
• Her website Maya's Book Nook with book guides, author interviews, themed booklists

Communication Disorders and the Profectum Academy

• Emphasizes a developmentally-minded, relationship-based approach to communication disorders.
• Highlights the importance of play in developing social communication skills.
• Discusses signs to look for in children with communication challenges.

Makaton and Signing

• Explains how signing can support spoken language development from an early age.
• Discusses the use of Makaton signs and symbols for effective communication.
• Provides practical tips for incorporating signing in early years settings.

Ambitious Sensory Story Sharing

• Engaging narrative through sensory experiences for inclusive learning
• Promoting multi-sensory storytelling techniques for diverse abilities
• Practical tips for creating rich, immersive sensory stories

Supporting Parents During Tribunals And Autism Diagnostics

• Insights into speech and language assessment appeals and tribunal processes
• Detailed overview of multidisciplinary autism diagnostic assessments
• Positive approach to supporting neurodiversity and strengths-based interventions