Within Issue 112
The theme for the Winter 2025 issue is Communication. The last issue with this theme appeared in Spring 2019 (issue 92). The editors of that issue succinctly stated that communication is a fundamental human right for all people. They characterised communication as a responsive and reciprocal two‐way exchange that can be verbal or non‐verbal, intentional or non‐intentional. It provides us with the opportunity to share meaning, express our feelings, preferences, and decisions and develop relationships. They also pointed out that 2017 saw the production of Supporting people with profound and multiple learning disabilities: core & essential service standards. This document is available on the PMLD LINK website to download for free (https://www.pmldlink.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Standards-PMLD-h-web-6-Jan-2021.pdf). The Communication Standards challenge organisations to show how they provide good practice.
For this year’s Winter issue, we would like to hear from people working in organisations (schools, NHS services, residential services, etc.) about what they do to ensure effective and consistent communication and how they develop warm and trusting relationships with the persons they support. How do they promote communication and decision making in the persons’ best interest, acknowledging their perceived wishes and known preferences at all times?
Parents and other family members and carers will have strong views and important perspectives about how best to promote communication with the person/s they support and care for. We are equally keen to hear from them. How do people working in organisations learn from their knowledge and experience to ensure everyone works together?
We would welcome information about the use of relevant communication aids, including assistive technology, both hi-tech and low-tech aids, and interactive approaches. What are effective ways to ensure everyone is suitably trained in appropriate total communication approaches to maximise rewarding communication with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities? Also, are any specific assessment strategies used to identify each person’s strengths and needs, taking into account their preferences and interests.
We know this theme will strike a chord with our readers, but equally we hope it will encourage you to contribute your views and experiences to our Winter journal.
As always, we are open to all sorts of submissions, from a single photo and caption or simple photo story, short written items or longer articles (up to 1500 words) to items of news or reporting back on relevant events or resources. If you have the seed of an idea, we’re happy to help – just get in touch!
All items and contributions are needed by 29th September to info@pmldlink.org.uk
Please send text in a MSWord or Rich Text format and any photos and/or figures as separate files.
Many thanks in advance for supporting PMLD LINK.
The guest editors are Maureen Phillip, Sue Thurman and Rob Ashdown.
Our Guidelines for Writers and Sharing Photos are on the ‘Get Involved’ pages of our website https://www.pmldlink.org.uk/get-involved/
