Narrative Workshop - Exploring, Assessing and Using Narratives to Enhance Language and Communication in Children and Young People - 16th September 2024

Rationale and Workshop Synopsis:

Feedback received from participants on a previous workshop facilitated by Victoria Joffe "Developmental Language Disorder in Older Children, Young People and Adults" identified narratives as an area of further study. 

This workshop introduces and explores the different types of narratives that are used routinely in our daily lives. The importance of narratives in language development, education and social and emotional development will be highlighted. Information is provided on the importance of narratives as a predictor of language and educational performance, as well as its role in the social and emotional development of children. The value of narratives as an assessment and intervention tool, as well as a means of measuring outcomes is explored. 

The role of narratives in enhancing language and communication across the curriculum in children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) will be discussed. The role of narratives in both the assessment and intervention of language and communication will be explored. A critical overview of the evidence base for narrative therapy with children and young people with SLCN will be given. Strategies to facilitate narrative development across abilities and ages will be highlighted.

Workshop Content to Include: 

• Definition and types of narrative
• The role and importance of narrative ability in language and communication and in the education and wider social context of the child
• Narrative therapy with children and young people with SLCN: a critical evaluation and overview of the current evidence-base 
• Assessment of narrative skills and the use of Narrative as an outcome measure to chart changes in performance  
• New ways forward and strategies to facilitate narrative skills across the age range and education curriculum
• Future implications and directions for research and clinical and educational practice
• Questions and group discussion

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the workshop, delegates will

• Have an understanding and knowledge of the different types of narratives and the role they play in children’s language and cognitive development, as well as their wellbeing.
• Have an overview and critical appraisal of a range of narrative interventions in children and young people with speech, language, and communication needs. 
• Be able to identify appropriate standardised and non-standardised measures of narrative abilities across the lifespan.
•  Have had the opportunity to tell, retell or listen to a story and practice ways of analysing the story at the macro and micro level of analysis.
•  Identify, evaluate and contribute to strategies to facilitate narrative development across the curriculum for children and young people with SLCN. 

Biography: 

Victoria Joffe is Professor of Speech and Language Therapy, and Dean of Integrated Health and Care Partnerships at the University of Essex. Victoria’s area of clinical and research expertise includes speech, language and communication disorders in children and young people, Developmental Language Disorder, the interface between education and speech and language therapy collaborative practice and the training of teaching staff, Narrative and Vocabulary Interventions, language and literacy development, and evidence-based practice.

Victoria works with various health trusts, integrated care systems, education authorities and third sector organisations devising and evaluating research into models of service delivery across the lifespan. She provides training and consultancy to professionals working with children and young people with diverse needs.        

Victoria is co-editor of the journal, Child Language Teaching and Therapy, and acts as a speech and language therapy partner for the Health and Care Professions Council. She is chair of the RCSLT’s national clinical excellence network for older children and young adults with speech, language and communication needs. 

Victoria is working on two National Institute Health Research-funded research projects looking into a new intervention for children with social communication disorder, and the use of apps to facilitate communication in adults with aphasia. She is also involved in research on stammering, Down Syndrome and dementia and stroke care.