Hey there, fellow communication enthusiasts! 🌟
If you’re a speech and language therapist like me, you’re always on the lookout for resources that not only support our clients’ growth but also do so in a way that’s neuro-diversity affirming and respectful. Whether you’re working with adults or young people, finding the right tools to enhance social communication skills can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. So, I thought I’d share my favourites with you today!
Please note, as we learn to work in a more neurodiversity affirming way, resources can and often do become outdated. It is important to stay up to date with what is best practice and use resources flexibly and selectively according to yours and your clients’ needs. Please do let me know if you have any feedback on the resources talked about in this post.
1. David Nash’s “Getting the Picture”
First up is David Nash’s “Getting the Picture.” If you haven’t heard of this gem yet, let me fill you in! This resource is an absolute game-changer for anyone working on social communication skills.
“Getting the Picture” uses visual support to help individuals understand and participate in social situations. What I love about this resource is how it breaks down complex social interactions into manageable, visual steps. It’s perfect for those who are visual learners (and honestly, who isn’t?) and need that extra bit of clarity when navigating social cues. It’s also great for working on sequencing and identifying finer details from the bigger picture.
The beauty of “Getting the Picture” lies in its flexibility. Whether you’re working with teens who are just beginning to explore social situations or adults who need a refresher, this resource adapts beautifully to their needs. Plus, the visuals are super engaging without being overwhelming— a big win in my book!
2. Talkabout Series by Alex Kelly
Ah, the “Talkabout” series! If there was ever a resource that deserved a standing ovation, this would be it. 🎉 Alex Kelly’s “Talkabout” books have been a staple in my therapy toolkit for years, and for good reason. I do use these resources flexibly and selectively as some of the language is not ideal e.g. ‘bad’ communication versus good, however overall, I think the series has a lot to offer.
The series covers everything from self-awareness to social skills, and it does so in a way that’s interactive and fun. What I particularly appreciate is how the activities are structured to promote group work, making them ideal for social skills groups. There’s something about the way the material is presented that encourages participation and engagement, even from the most reluctant communicators.
The “Talkabout” series is mostly inclusive, catering to different communication styles and levels of ability. Whether you’re working on basic conversation skills or more advanced social interaction, there’s a “Talkabout” book for that!
3. “Language for Behaviour and Emotions” by Anna Branagan, Melanie Cross and Stephen Parsons
Next on the list is “Language for Behaviour and Emotions”. This resource is particularly powerful for working with clients who struggle with the connection between language, behaviour, and emotions.
What makes this book a standout is its focus on the underlying language skills needed to understand and manage emotions. It’s packed with practical strategies and activities that help individuals express their feelings in a constructive way. The approach is holistic, addressing the root of emotional and behavioural challenges rather than just the symptoms.
This book has been a lifesaver in sessions where clients have difficulty with emotional regulation. It’s a resource that not only teaches but empowers, giving clients the tools they need to navigate their emotional world with confidence.
4. Other resources and approaches
I have found it most helpful to look up and listen to autistic individuals and particularly autistic speech and language therapists and their approaches and experiences of speech and language therapy. A podcast episode I really enjoyed was “Neurodiversity affirming assessment for autistic girls, women and AFAB individuals” S05E21 of the Speak Up podcast. This podcast hears from an awesome AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) speech and language therapist called Dasha Kolesik. Dasha gives an overview of the 3 M’s of autistic versus neurotypical communication, which I found to be fascinating and totally neurodiverse affirming and I use her explanation of this all the time. Thanks Dasha!
So, there you have it—my go-to resources for enhancing social communication skills in a way that’s neuro-affirming, respectful, and effective. Each of these tools has a special place in my therapy sessions, and I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact they have on clients’ lives.
As speech and language therapists, our goal is to support and empower our clients, helping them navigate the social world with confidence. With these resources in hand, we can do just that—and hopefully have a little fun along the way.
Do you have any favourite resources that I missed? I’d love to hear about them in the comments. Let’s keep this conversation going!
Until next time,
Vicky
