learning to talk

learning to talk | help and info

help and info

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organisations

Afasic (Association for All Speech Impaired Children)
Second Floor
50-52 Great Sutton Street
London EC1V 0DJ
Tel: 020 7490 9410
Helpline: 0845 3 55 55 77 (Mon-Fri 10.30am-2.30pm)
E-mail: info@afasic.org.uk
Website: www.afasic.org.uk
UK charity representing children and young adults with communication impairments, working for their inclusion in society and supporting their parents and carers. The helpline can give information on all aspects of speech impairment, from therapy to choosing a school for a child with speech and language impairments. Afasic also has a range of publications aimed at parents, young people and professionals.

British Stammering Association
15 Old Ford Road
London E2 9PJ
Helpline: 0845 603 2001 (see website for opening hours)
Tel: 020 8983 1003 (office)
E-mail: info@stammering.org
Website: www.stammering.org
BSA runs a confidential helpline offering callers the opportunity to ask, talk about and explore any issues of concern in the context of stammering. The staff on the switchboard are selected because they appreciate the difficulties of talking and stammering on the telephone. The website and helpline also distribute free information packs for parents of children in all key stages of education, as well as teenagers, young adults and adults who stammer. The association also provides support and advice to speech and language therapists and teachers. The website has a separate section for people who live in Scotland.

I CAN
4 Dyer's Buildings
Holborn
London EC1N 2QP
Tel: 0845 225 4071
Website: www.ican.org.uk
The national educational charity for children with speech and language difficulties. The main aim is to ensure that the special educational needs of these children are met. The site holds details of local special schools, publications for parents and other useful organisations.

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
2 White Hart Yard
London SE1 1NX
Tel: 020 7378 1200 (switchboard)
Tel: 020 7378 3012 (general information)
E-mail: info@rcslt.org
Website: www.rcslt.org
The professional body of speech and language therapists in the UK and Ireland. Concerned with all types of communication problems including delayed language, stammering, aphasia, and voice problems. Works to improve understanding of all aspects of communication impairment. Produces leaflets, runs an information service and can provide parents with details of speech and language therapists.

SMIRA (Selective Mutism Information and Research Association)
13 Humberstone Drive
Leicester LE5 0RE
E-mail: info@smira.org.uk
A support group for parents of children with selective mutism. SMIRA also provides advice for professionals, such as teachers, speech therapists and psychologists on working with children with selective mutism. Publishes a twice yearly newsletter and has further information available on request (please send a large SAE to the above address).

websites

Afasic Publications
www.afasic.org.uk/m_publications.htm
Afasic produces a wide range of publications providing helpful information to parents and young people with speech and language difficulties. The organisation also offers support and guidelines for good practice to professionals.

Selective Mutism and Childhood Anxiety Disorders
www.selectivemutism.org
Large US site from the Selective Mutism Group (Childhood Anxiety Network). The site allows parents and professionals to share their experiences and knowledge of selective mutism as a way of raising public awareness and giving a voice to children who cannot speak up for themselves.

Speech Teach UK
www.speechteach.co.uk
Excellent UK site for parents and professionals supporting children with speech and learning difficulties. Good source of information, including notice boards, chat room and links to other websites specialising in these areas.

Talking Point
www.talkingpoint.org.uk
Produced jointly by I CAN, RCSLT and Afasic, this website has information about all aspects of speech, language and communication difficulties in children. The website has details of organisations and professionals who can help, and provides the opportunity to share information and access frequently asked questions, factsheets and news.

reading

	Cat's Got Your Tongue? A Story for Children Afraid to Speak by Charles Schaefer (Magination Press, 1992) In this gentle story, Anna stops speaking when she starts kindergarten, until her parents and a therapist help her overcome her anxiety. Get this book
	Speech and Language Impairments in Children by Dorothy Bishop and Lawrence Leonard (Eds) (Psychology Press, 2001) Delayed development of speech and/or language is one of the commonest reasons for parents of pre-school children to seek the advice of a paediatrician. This publication provides an overview of research and is accessible to all. Get this book
	The Selective Mutism Resource Manual by Maggie Johnson and Alison Wintgens (Speechmark Publishing, 2001) Practical advice for parents and professionals on the subject of selective mutism. Includes case examples, frequently asked questions, general assessment considerations, advice for home & school and a detailed treatment programme. Get this book

(resources updated March 2006)

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