Staff profiles

CIRU (Communication for Inclusion Research Unit)

• communication in disability
• autism
• learning disabilities
• motor and movement skills and impairment
• communication skills
• inclusion
• facilitated communication
• babies' movements and interactions
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

Collaborators

• Dr Andrew Grayson, Division of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University
• Dr Jackie Dearden, Educational Psychologist, Nottingham City Children's Services

December 2008- December 2010
A project was undertaken with European partners to write and evaluate a training programme for young school-leavers with autism. The Leonardo Project was Funded by the European Union.

September 2008 – September 2009
Action research was undertaken with Dr Jackie Dearden investigating possible changes in the means, reasons and opportunities for communication in a school for children with autism.

January 2005 – September 2008
An investigation of the link between eye-gaze and pointing of autistic people was made using Facilitated Communication. This was a collaboration with Dr Andrew Grayson funded by the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation.

Anne is a practising speech and language therapist working to support individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication. She works in mainstream and special, primary and secondary schools. She also works closely with families and children, as well as in residential and day services for disabled people. Work outside NTU often includes delivering workshops, seminars and training.

Anne would be interested in supervising students with an interest in disability, communication and inclusion.