ACQ_Vol_11_no_3_2009

10 Puppets and games Puppets are wonderful for group work and individuals alike. They are a useful tool to engage children. Puppets can reduce anxiety by taking the focus or attention off the client. Puppets can have personalities, can “take turns” and can express feelings and ideas that may normally be difficult for a child to talk about. Puppets can model skills to be learnt and are great for narrative, storytelling, conversation and role play.

to facilitate their children’s interaction and communication skills. Talk Ability: People Skills for Verbal Children on the Autism Spectrum – A Guide for Parents . This book targets children aged 3 to 7 years with autism spectrum disorders or social difficulties. It is a practical guide, supported by pictures and examples, to aid parents in understanding how to help their child tune in to others, socialise and develop friendships. 9 Tasks of Problem Solving: Elementary

by Linda Bowers, Rosemary Huisingh and Carolyn LoGiudice (2005), Linguisystems. This program is designed for students with impairments in language and problem- solving skills. The activities are arranged in a hierarchy and aim to improve expressive language, critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. They are designed to facilitate generalisation to a range of

Giddy – “Team member” Future Families Program

settings. The resource contains an excellent number and variety of photographic social and problem scenarios. The pictures are also useful in facilitating social skills, emotional regulation and narrative programming. A CD-ROM is included, enabling activity sheets to be easily printed.

Correspondence to: Andrea Murray email: Andrea_Murray@health.qld.gov.au

Crown Promenade Conference Centre, Melbourne Sunday 16 – Wednesday 19 May 2010 Participation 2010 will showcase the innovative contributions of speech pathologists in advancing choices, knowledge and access. The Conference Planning Committee is pleased to introduce the two keynote speakers plus the presenter of the Elizabeth Usher Memorial Lecture. Keynote Speakers Carole Pound originally trained as a Speech and Language Therapist and throughout her career Carole has championed the role of people living with aphasia in designing, developing and delivering innovative services, training and resources. Dr Emma Hayiou-Thomas is from the University of York. Emma’s primary research interests are in language and literacy development and their associated disorders. She is also continuing her long term collaboration with the Twins Early Development Study and is currently involved with the Wellcome Language and Reading Project. Elizabeth Usher Memorial Lecture Professor Susan Balandin has vast clinical and research experience in the fields of lifelong disability and complex communication needs, as well as in several other areas. To read more about their background and Conference presentations, please visit www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au and the 2010 National Conference link. The full program and online registration will be available from 8 February 2010. For accommodation, air travel and tours, bookings can be made now at the 2010 National Conference website.

Pamela Richards National Conference Manager

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ACQ Volume 11, Number 3 2009

ACQ uiring knowledge in speech, language and hearing