Introduction to smiLE therapy
Taster Session: a one-hour brief introduction to smiLE Therapy
Date: Thursday, 27th February 2025
Time: 4pm – 5pm
Venue: Teams
Cost: Free
smiLE Therapy: Strategies & Measurable Interaction in Live English was created in 2002 to explicitly develop pragmatic skills in DHH students. It gives deaf students a structured and meaningful way to learn essential communication and social skills for everyday use in the mainstream hearing world.
Since 2009 smiLE Therapy has extended to client groups beyond deafness, to children and young people (CYP) with Down Syndrome, Developmental Language Disorders, Learning Difficulties and Physical Disability. smiLE Therapy is also used with some Autistic CYP, where there are criteria and pre-requisites, and where smiLE Therapy is delivered in a different way to ensure it is neurodiverse-affirming. smiLE Therapy is used in mainstream and specialist school settings and Additionally Resourced Provisions, across primary, secondary, post 16 and 18-25 college settings across the UK.
This taster will give an introduction to the therapy using video clips to illustrate before and after therapy outcomes & parent workshops to support generalisation of skills.
Target Audience
Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists’ assistants, Teachers, Occupational Therapists, SENCOs, Educational Psychologists and Education staff
Presenter
Karin Schamroth is a Specialist Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) for children and young people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH). She worked in the NHS for 30 years with DHH babies, pre-schoolers and school-aged students, across settings including home, nurseries, specialist DHH schools, DHH units and mainstream schools. Karin created smiLE Therapy in 2002 explicitly to develop pragmatic skills in DHH students. This therapy teaches DHH students the skills and strategies to effectively and confidently communicate in everyday interactions in the hearing community. Karin and her team continue to develop smiLE Therapy and train SLTs and Teachers in the UK and internationally.
Closing date for applications: 24th February 2025
