PARENTS - RESOURCES
Afasic provides some useful resources for parents including:
Publications for parents
We have a variety of publications which parents may find useful especially the Handy Hints sheets - available as a free download in Welsh and English.
You may also be interested in the
recently published 'Watch Your Language!' Parent Pack (available from Afasic England).
Afasic UK Parents Helpline - 0845 3 55 55 77
The Helpline is open from Monday to Friday 10.30am to 2.30pm. The Helpline
provides information to parents, and others, about how to access appropriate support for children with speech and language impairments. Speak to one of our experienced team today about SLI issues including:
- the diagnosis and implications of speech and language impairments
- speech and language therapy
- schools’ role in supporting children with speech and language impairments
-
statements, annual reviews and the role of the LEA
- other professionals who might be involved
- choosing a school for a child with speech and language impairments
- state benefits
Contacting the Helpline
You can contact the Helpline in any of the following ways:
By phone: This is the most immediate way of getting in touch, and a conversation often makes it easier to pinpoint precisely what help is needed.
By email: Please use this if you cannot ring us during Helpline opening hours, or if you have a very straightforward query. You can contact the Helpline on our email enquiry form.
Helpline Query of the Month
Here we feature a query recently submitted to the Helpline.
Q. I’ve got a seven year-old daughter who has selective mutism and I was wondering if you have got any advice for me. I’ve seen a speech therapist who said there was nothing they could do for her as her speech was fine.
A. Our understanding is that the most effective form of intervention for selective mutism is a ‘step by step’ approach carried out at school, primarily by school staff. For more information contact SMIRA (The Selective Mutism Information and Research Association). While most of the day-to-day support should be delivered by parents and the school, we would expect other professionals such as educational psychologist and speech and language therapist to maintain an advisory role. It is disappointing that this is not forthcoming from your speech and language therapy service. I would suggest writing in the first instance to the manager of the service to request support from a therapist with expertise in selective mutism. If you do not get a positive response, try writing to the Director of the Primary Care Trust to ask that the speech and language therapy department include support for selective mutism among the services they offer. For more information on any of these issues please contact the Helpline on 0845 3 55 55 77.
Parents Message Board
The Parents Message Board is ideal for parents who want to share their stories and give support to other parents. It is quick and easy to sign up and welcomes new members.