Dr Gillian Townend

Areas of interest

Implementation and impact of the Rett Syndrome Communication Guidelines: lead author of the Rett Syndrome Communication Guidelines which were published (in English) in 2020; since then working with Rett associations across the globe to translate the guidelines into multiple language; working with Rett UK and other associations to develop resources and activities that enable families and professionals (including speech and language therapists) to put the guidelines into practice; evaluating the global impact and implementation of the guidelines

Adapting language and communication assessments for people with physical disabilities: traditional assessments typically require a verbal or motor response which makes them inaccessible to people with physical disabilities who have no/limited speech and no/limited voluntary control of their hands; use of eye gaze/eye tracking technologies offers one possible solution; this and other factors are being investigated in order to build an holistic language assessment package; in partnership with Rett UK.

Video analysis of dyadic interaction between communication partners and children using AAC: developing a two-part tool for analysing interactions from both the perspective of the parent/communication partner and the child in order to provide guidance and feedback to families during supported trials of of eye gaze controlled communication devices; in partnership with Rett UK.

Developing communication outcome measures for drug/gene therapy trials: project in development