Laila Emms, speech and language therapist, Treloar School and College for disabled children.

- What do you do?

I work as a communication support specialist within the speech and language therapy department at Treloar School and College. I work with our students who are deaf or have impaired hearing. Treloar supports around 300 students each year who have complex and sometimes multiple physical disabilities. They may also have a communication or sensory impairment and associated learning difficulties; about 40 per cent of students have little or no speech.

- How do you make a difference?

I develop communication books and resources that enable students to express opinions and make choices about their life. We use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to add to the more usual methods of speech and writing when these are impaired. AAC includes everything from unaided systems such as signing and gesture, to aided techniques such as picture charts and computer technology. I also support staff in the use of symbols. I recently completed a research study that looked at the teaching of symbols, the outcomes of which changed our working practice at school.