communication-regulation-declarative-language-linda-murphy

EPISODE 112
Supporting Communication and Regulation
with Declarative Language:
A Conversation with Linda Murphy, MS, CCC-SLP

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Show Notes

A great deal of attention is given to different treatment approaches for supporting communication and relationships with children with social learning differences. However, how we actually speak to children in therapeutic and every day interactions, is given relatively less attention. Through her publications and presentations, Linda Murphy has devoted much of her recent work to supporting therapists, educators, and parents in providing more facilitative styles of language that have been shown to support language development and trusting relationships. In discussing the concept of “declarative language” with Barry and Dave, Linda provides specific guidelines and examples that will be helpful to both professionals and parents.

 

Learn more about Declarative Language on their website

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Featuring

Linda Murphy

LINDA MURPHY

Linda Murphy, MS,CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist and RDI® (Relationship Development Intervention) consultant. She was a graduate student of Barry’s while at Emerson College, and later founded Peer Projects, a clinic in Beverly, MA dedicated to helping kids and families by using a positive, thoughtful communication style that emphasizes understanding, patience, respect, and kindness. Linda has been working with individuals with social learning differences for over 30 years. She leads trainings on the topic of supporting communication and learning across social learning styles, and authored Declarative Language Handbook and Co-Regulation Handbook. She is a Certified Early Intervention Specialist, trained in Natural Language Acquisition (NLA)/Gestalt Language Processing, and holds Level 1 and Level 2 Certificates in Training from PDA North America. Linda lives north of Boston with her husband and their two busy lovable boys, who are now entering their teenage years.

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1) How does Linda define declarative language (in contrast to other language styles), and provide some examples from your experiences. Do you find that you use a style that tends to be more declarative than imperative (demand related)? Will you change or adjust your style based on the discussion in this episode?

2) Linda states that imperative language may be perceived as a threat by some children with social learning differences. What is your understanding of this assertion, and why do you feel this may impact successful communication and relationships.

3) Linda also notes that demands can make children feel “inadequate”, but declarative language “empowers them to feel confident”. Do you agree, and if so, please provide some examples that support this notion.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.