The Complexity Approach – How, when and why to use the Complexity Approach for children with SSD
About this course
The Complexity Approach is based on the principle that selecting targets for therapy which are more complex e.g., phonemes that the child has low stimulability for, are later acquired, drives wider generalisation and change across the child’s speech sound system than selecting targets typically associated with traditional criteria for target selection such as ease of stimulability and earlier acquisition (Gierut and Champion 2001, Storkel 2018).
Please note
This course assumes a basic familiarity with The DEAP (Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology) diagnostic classifications of speech sound disorder. Attendees should already understand when a more in-depth analysis of a child’s speech is necessary and how to complete this. For practitioners who require a comprehensive introduction to the DEAP, the course DEAP Assessment for Children with Speech Sound Disorder delivers an overview. It also includes information regarding the administration, scoring and analysis of the DEAP screen, subtests and Toddler Phonology Test. For SLTs who want to learn more about in-depth analysis of child speech, view our Analysis of Child Speech course.
Attend this course to:
- Explore how the complexity approach fits in with other intervention approaches
- Gain a better understanding of the underpinning theory for the Complexity Approach
- Understand the process of target selection and methods of using the complexity approach through step-by-step learning and application of this to practice
Course Times
The course duration is 9.30 am to 12.30 pm (UK Time) on consecutive days. For a list of course dates and times please go to the booking page.
Course pricing
| Book and pay online | Organisational payment | Student / Returner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Price Per Person | £132 | £154 | £77 |
Contact us if you are you would like to:
- Book four or more courses (we can offer you a discount)
- Make a block booking for a group
- Book a closed course for your team, department or organisation
Course presenter
Dr Jill Titterington
Consultant Speech and Language Therapist/Researcher
Dr Jill Titterington is a consultant Speech and Language Therapist/Researcher https://www.thespeechdoctorni.co.uk/ a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and one of the International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders’ Editor-in-Chiefs. Jill has ~20 years of clinical experience, and ~17 years working for Ulster University’s Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) department. Jill is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and her speciality area of teaching is in child speech sound disorder: both phonetic transcription skills, and clinical management (particularly of phonological delay and disorder). Jill provides ongoing CPD teaching and learning opportunities for qualified SLTs in these areas. Jill’s research focuses on supporting implementation of evidence to Speech and Language Therapy practice for children with speech and language difficulties. She has a particular interest in supporting the delivery of evidence-based dosage/intensity of intervention for children with moderate to severe speech sound disorder. Driven by this interest, Jill established a group of academics, researchers, and clinical/managerial SLTs (Raising Awareness of Dosage in Speech Sound Disorder (RADiSSD)) in 2023 which is working to drive change to practice across the UK and Ireland. Recent publications include a chapter on the pedagogy of clinical phonetics for students of SLT, and journal articles on applying evidence on dosage to practice for children with severe speech sound disorder, and how to work effectively with parents to increase dosage of intervention. See here for recent publications.
Course topics
This course will use applied workshops, lecture material and case studies to explore:
- Your current practice for children with moderate to severe SSD
- The Complexity Approach (Gierut 2008, 1989; Storkel 2018a, 2018b):
- Underpinning theory
- Principles for target selection
- The two over-arching approaches of the Complexity Approach:
- Maximal oppositions (specifically where two phonemes the child does not have in their system are targeted (sometimes termed ‘empty set’))
- Clusters (where 2- or 3-element clusters are targeted)
- The use of probes to monitor progress
Who this course is suitable for
This course is suitable for: Returners to Speech and Language Therapy, Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs), Speech and Language Therapy Students
Booking information
This course is presented Virtual Live – Online over Zoom.
This course is available on various dates throughout the year. To view available course dates, select your preferred date and book your place, click here.
During the booking process, you can reserve a place while you confirm you can attend or organise payment through your employer for example. We can hold a booking for up to four weeks. If we have not heard from you before this time elapses, we may cancel your reservation so other people can attend the training.
Course Beetle is an approved NHS Trust, Local Authorities and Schools supplier.
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