4 May 2006

Dundee University research helps Romanian orphans

Pioneering work by a University of Dundee researcher is being used to help some of Romania's most disadvantaged children.

Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, a senior lecturer at the university's psychology department, was invited to the Antioch Centre in the Romanian town of Slatina by British-based charity Medlink to help increase the communicative abilities of disabled and orphaned children.

Using techniques based on her work on imitation with babies Dr Zeedyk and her colleague Dr Cliff Davies, a retired psychology lecturer at Manchester University, were able to reach children previously regarded as unresponsive and unable to communicate.

"We went out to see if we could help develop new techniques to get in touch with these children, many of whom have severe disabilities," said Dr Zeedyk.

"One of the research areas I am working in uses imitation as a way of speaking to people with communication difficulties, using their own language. You respond to their rhythms and sounds using those rhythms and sounds, because these are already familiar and meaningful to them. The technique is also know as Intensive Interaction or Co-Creative Communication."

"The results with the children in Romania were amazing, far better than we expected. We had children who had never engaged with anyone before communicating with us. One girl was giggling and laughing delightedly within minutes and another little boy with severe autism started looking at us and smiling, both of which are uncommon behaviours in people with autism."

Dr Zeedyk added that she and Dr Davies hoped to return to the Antioch Centre in Slatina where the children are based. Run by Romanian couple Alex and Sandu Micu, who have also adopted 14 children, the centre provides daily respite sessions for orphans and disabled children.

"The work being done there is inspirational," said Dr Zeedyk. "Many of the children have come from very neglected or abusive backgrounds but to see them doing so well now because of the care they are receiving really shows what can be achieved. We would like to help document the outcomes being achieved there because we believe it is a centre of excellence."

As well as planning a research study Dr Zeedyk and Dr Davies are also hoping to set up a training exchange and have training materials translated into Romanian so that other child care providers in Romania can adopt the techniques which already seem to be proving effective with children in Slatina.

Notes to editors

Dr Zeedyk is co-founder of the Scottish Scandinavian Imitation Network, an international collaboration of researchers, practitioners and post-graduate students. interested in demonstrating the role of imitation in social engagement.

The Antioch Centre is funded by UK charities Med Link and Lighthouse International Missions. Med Link, run by 21-year-old Manchester University student Sarah Bazley, organises work experience placements for medical students.

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