Course content

Attendees will learn about assessment and differential diagnosis of inconsistent phonological disorder, differentiating this presentation from other types of speech disorder including developmental verbal dyspraxia / childhood apraxia of speech. You will learn the theoretical underpinnings of the core vocabulary approach, as well as considering how to implement this therapy approach to treat children with inconsistent phonological disorder.

The course is held online over one day.

Course topics

• Assessment of child speech disorder using the DEAP
• Differential diagnosis of types of child speech disorder
• Identification of inconsistent phonological disorder
• Evidence-based management of inconsistent phonological disorder using the Core Vocabulary approach
• Case examples
• Consideration of clinical context including agent, duration and frequency of the intervention

Course presenter: Dr Jan Broomfield, Speech and Language Therapist in Independent Practice

Dr Jan Broomfield left her post as Consultant Speech and Language Therapist in the NHS in 2011 after 30 years continuous service. Since that time, Jan has moved into independent practice where she continues to carry a caseload of children with complex speech disorder.

Jan’s PhD involved a service-wide randomised controlled trial (RCT), evaluating the nature of the caseload as well as the clinical effectiveness of the service offered; the study involved 730 children with speech and/or language disorder. The 320 children identified with primary speech difficulties were assessed using the DEAP (Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology), classified using Professor Barbara Dodd’s classification and followed differentiated therapy programmes including the Core Vocabulary approach.

Jan has worked closely with Barbara during and since obtaining her PhD in 2003. Both together and independently, they have published a number of peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Barbara developed the Core Vocabulary approach in response to seeing children with persisting speech disorders that were not responding to other treatment regimes. She has authorised Jan to present this training.

Jan led the working party that produced the RCSLT Policy Statement (2011) on Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia. She is a current member of the Child Speech Disorder Research Network (UK and Ireland) and chairs the North-East Speech Clinical Excellence Network, now in its 15th year.