Children's language difficulties affect many areas of functioning and development. Since most children with these difficulties are expected to function in ordinary schools and nurseries it is important that parents, teachers and practitioners have a broad understanding of the issues. Language and communication problems typically fall under the umbrella terms 'language disability, 'language delay', or 'language difficulties. They can range from an occasional difficulty with certain sounds to an inability to communicate using spoken language. These problems can occur in isolation or be associated with a range of special needs such as hearing loss, visual impairment or learning disabilities. This is the first introductory text to outline the difficulties experienced by children and link these to issues surrounding multidisciplinary assessment, intervention and service provision. Children's Language and Communication Difficulties offers professionals and parents an up-to-date account of: -the developmental language problems that children experience -the provision available to meet the child's needs the long term impact of language difficulties The authors examine the problems of identification and diagnosis, and explore the range of physical and cognitive disabilities associated with language problems. They have also looked closely at alternative forms of communication and have provided the reader with discussion and evaluation of recently developed intervention techniques.

This book investigates language disorders in children who speak languages other than, or in addition to, English. The chapters in the first section of the volume focus on language disorders associated with four different syndromes in multilingual populations and contexts. This section discusses language disorders associated with autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and Williams syndrome. The chapters in the second section of the book relate to language impairment in children who speak diverse languages, although the issues they address are relevant across languages and cultural contexts. The book also reviews assessment procedures and intervention approaches for diverse languages, including Bengali, Cantonese, French, Spanish, and Turkish. The volume aims to stimulate thoughtful clinical practice and further research in language disorders in multilingual populations.

Now in its second edition, Speech and Language Therapy: the decision-making process when working with children reveals how recent research and changes in health and education services have affected the decision-making process in the assessment and management of children with speech and language problems. With individual chapters written by experts in their field, this book: Illustrates how the decisions made by practitioners may vary within different work settings Shows how these decisions may need to be adapted when working with specific client groups Explores how such decisions are part of effective evidence-based practice Offers an overview of the skills required by the developing professional Provides insight into working as a newly qualified therapist in the current job market. Rigorously underpinned with current research and revised legislation, this is an important textbook for speech and language therapy students, potential students and specialist teachers in training. Speech and Language Therapy: the decision-making process when working with children will also be relevant to newly qualified therapists, therapists returning to the profession, specialist teachers and Special Educational Needs Coordinators.

This book provides a synthesis of work on communication disorders of child and adult users of signed languages. The chapters investigate linguistic impairments caused by deficits in visual processing and motor movements, as well as neurological decline. The volume also contains in-depth descriptions of child language acquisition in the signed modality and suggestions about how signed languages might guard against communication disorder.

`This is a unique book that addresses an interesting aspect of work in mental health settings.' - Mental Health OT Communication and Mental Illness is a comprehensive and practical textbook written by a multidisciplinary group of experts in the field of mental health which will be of interest to all those interested in improving their understanding of individuals with mental illness. The book is divided into three parts. The first of these offers both student and experienced clinicians in the mental health field an improved theoretical knowledge of the methods of communication commonly adopted by individuals with a variety of diagnoses of mental illness. It also provides practical suggestions of how this information can improve the individual professional's management of patients. Part Two looks at how information about communication in mental illness can influence service provision, ending with suggestions for future policy and practice. Communication and Mental Illness concludes with a final part describing the state of current research into different facets of communication and mental illness, offering an insight into the variety of research methodology and points of interest to those involved in the field.

Rising recognition of semantic and pragmatic disabilities in children with specific language impairment has created a demand for a satisfactory framework and suitable methods for assessment and remediation. This book reports on progress in research and practice in a form accessible to professionals from a variety of backgrounds.

This invaluable guide to understanding and helping children whose speech and/or language is delayed or impaired is now revised and reissued, taking into account changes that have occurred since the first publication. The 3rd edition, which is for parents and practitioners, is a practical jargon-free book providing an overview of normal development and speech and language difficulties in young children. It assumes no prior knowledge and includes practical suggestions for dealing with children with communication difficulties.

This text identifies factors that influence children and adolescents and indicates how professionals can help young people as clients in a variety of settings. The strengths of the text include a pragmatic focus on both children and adolescents, a broad conception of practice, an emphasis on assessment, the use of historical, organizational, and developmental perspectives, and a major social problems focus. The text is divided into three parts to identify the context of social work with children and adolescents, examine the helping process, and discuss applications of that process.