These webinars are open to any communication professional who is a member of the UK Network for Communication Professionals working with people with Rett syndrome (formerly UK Network for Speech & Language Therapists working with people with Rett syndrome).

Introductory webinar

This introductory webinar signals the launch of the new network for Speech and Language Therapists who work with children and/or adults with Rett syndrome, in any setting, with any level of experience, in any region of the UK. The network is an initiative of Rett UK. During the webinar, Gill Townend and Callie Ward from Rett UK’s Communication and Education Support Project present general information about features of Rett syndrome and highlight their potential impact on communication.

Presenters: Gill Townend & Callie Ward Time: 60 minutes (blank screen with audio only for first few minutes then ok)
Date of original webinar: 5 November 2018

A Parent’s Perspective on Communication: Implementing AAC

Abigail Davison-Hoult is mother to two children, one of whom has Rett syndrome. Now aged 8, her daughter uses both low and high-tech AAC to support her communication at home, at school and when out and about. Abigail recently completed a Master’s degree in Childhood and Early Years, during which she undertook research into parents’ perspectives on implementing AAC with a child with Rett syndrome. During the webinar, she shares the results of her research as well as her own experiences of implementing AAC.

Presenters: Gill Townend & Abigail Davison-Hoult Time: 70 minutes
Date of original webinar: 14 March 2019

Assessing the language and cognitive skills of people with Rett syndrome – Part One

When assessing receptive and expressive language and cognitive skills of people with Rett syndrome what challenges do we face? How might we begin to overcome them? These questions will be discussed by Gill Townend and Callie Ward, using examples from the soon to be published international communication guidelines and a pilot project recently undertaken by Gill and Callie.

Presenters: Gill Townend & Callie Ward Time: 50 minutes
Date: of original webinar 9 May 2019

Assessing the language and cognitive skills of people with Rett syndrome – Part Two

Following on from Part One which gave an overview of assessment principles and procedures and shared observational tools for use in clinical practice, this webinar will explore formal/standardised assessments of receptive language and cognition adapted for eye gaze and the pros and cons of formal and informal methods. Gill Townend and Callie Ward will use examples from the soon to be published international communication guidelines and a pilot project they have recently undertaken.

Presenters: Gill Townend & Callie Ward  Time: 62 minutes. Date of original webinar: 6 June 2019

Addressing the complex communication needs of individuals with Rett syndrome via telehealth

We are delighted to welcome Dr Jennifer McComas as our guest presenter for this webinar. Dr McComas is Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota in the USA. In September she will be visiting the Netherlands and UK, as well as several other European countries.
The complex communication needs of individuals with Rett syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders require dynamic assessment and individualized identification of appropriate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Given the intense needs and rare nature of this disorder, as well as the lack of geographically widespread expertise, a service-delivery mechanism is needed to provide essential services to this population. Telehealth is a promising alternative for individuals who are unable, for one reason or another, to travel to centre-based expert services to receive healthcare and related services. Dr. McComas will describe the telehealth-based process she and her team have used to teach AAC-use with more than 15 participants with Rett syndrome. In addition, she will present illustrative case examples of various formal communication modes (e.g., microswitches operated with hands, eye pointing at picture cards, and eye-gaze activated speech-generating computer systems) addressed via telehealth. Challenges, limitations, and future directions will be discussed.

Presenters: Dr Jennifer McComas with Dr Gill Townend & Gerna Scholte. Time: 66 minutes
Date of original webinar: 5 September 2019

Assessing the language and cognitive skills of people with Rett syndrome – Part Three

Following on from Part Two which explored formal/standardised assessments of receptive language and cognition adapted for eye gaze, and the pros and cons of formal and informal methods, this webinar will consider the challenges encountered, and the internal and external features that impact assessment of language and cognition in people with Rett syndrome. Gill Townend and Callie Ward will use examples from the soon to be published international communication guidelines and a pilot project they have recently undertaken.

Presenters: Gill Townend & Callie Ward  Time: 54 minutes
Date of original webinar: 17 October 2019

Why is literacy critical in AAC?

This is the first in a series of four webinars on the theme of literacy. The webinar presents a recording of the keynote address given by Dr Karen Erickson at the Communication Matters conference in Leeds in September 2019. Dr Erickson is Director of the Centre for Literacy and Disability Studies at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US. The recording will be introduced by Dr Gill Townend of Rett UK, the Rett Expertise Centre Netherlands-GKC and NRSV, Callie Ward also of Rett UK, and Gerna Scholte, also of the Rett Expertise Centre Netherlands-GKC and NRSV. Following the keynote address, Gill, Callie and Gerna will engage in a Q&A/three-way discussion to provide a more interactive experience.

Presenters: Gill Townend, Callie Ward & Gerna Scholte Time 80 minutes in total: = 25 minutes + 55-minute keynote address
Date of original webinar: 19 February 2020

Comprehensive literacy instruction for emergent learners: translating theory into practice

This is the second in a series of four webinars on the theme of literacy. During this webinar, Maureen Donnelly will deliver a presentation she gave at the Communication Matters conference in Leeds in September 2019. Maureen is a Curriculum Manager for Tobii Dynavox, based in the US.

Presenters: Maureen Donnelly with Gill Townend, Callie Ward & Gerna Scholte. Time: 75 minutes
Date of original webinar: 6 March 2020

Comprehensive literacy instruction for beginning conventional learners: translating theory into practice

This is the third in a series of four webinars on the theme of literacy. During this webinar, Maureen Donnelly will deliver a presentation she gave at the Communication Matters conference in Leeds in September 2019. Maureen is a Curriculum Manager for Tobii Dynavox, based in the US.

Presenters: Maureen Donnelly with Gill Townend & Gerna Scholte
Time: 75 minutes
Date of original webinar: 2 April 2020

Reading Avenue

This is the last in a series of four webinars on the theme of literacy. In this webinar, Tina Voizey will explore how Reading Avenue was designed with those using AAC and alternative access like eye gaze in mind. She will take us through the practicalities of setting up a user, assigning work to them and using Boardmaker Online templates to create more or personalised extension activities. Tina Voizey (Education Manager for Tobii Dynavox UK/Ireland) is a Special Educator with over 25 years’ experience working with learners with complex communication needs.

Presenters: Tina Voizey with Gill Townend & Gerna Scholte. Time: 78 minutes
Date of original webinar: 30 April 2020