Within This Issue

This issue has the title ‘Speaking Up – Being Heard’. It is a packed issue overflowing with insights and ideas to move us to make a difference in what we do. They challenge us, even when we are directly engaged in communicating with people with PMLD . Are we really listening? These are thought provoking pieces exploring our everyday practice. Johanna supports Erica, a young woman with PMLD, and she wonders how the conversation would go if Erica could talk back – ’days can be long and boring if no‐one talks to me; I don’t mean your talk, I mean my talk.’ Penny Lacey and Sheridan Forster pick up on the theme of really listening and show how attention to detail and challenging assumptions can change whole experiences. There is a timely reminder of the importance of Human Rights and the ’the shocking lack of attention to meeting the rights of people with learning disabilities.’ The following articles explore opportunities to communicate in the wider community: one outlines research into friendship opportunities for people with PMLD; another explores how friendship and other networks can put them at the heart of real decision making. Through the local dog walking circuit is shown that pets also support communicating with others; an account of Intensive Interaction reminds us of the value of genuinely sharing time and space with another; there is an overview of Multi Sensory Story Telling to communicate some sensitive issues; and Flo continues her historical account of Multi Sensory Education.

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