The Lidcombe Program

What can I expect from the Lidcombe Program
Lidcome Program consultations will vary from child to child because they are tailored to the individual. However, there are some aspects common to all Lidcombe program consultations: 

• attendance at each session by parent and child 
• measurement of the stuttering by parent and therapist 
• discussion about the execution of home practice 
• collaborative problem solving 
• fun 

If one or more of these aspects is missing from a consultation, you can be pretty sure the Lidcombe Program is not being carried out as recommended.

Starting the Lidcombe Program
There are two stages of the Lidcombe Program. The aim of stage 1 is to reduce stuttering until it almost or completely disappears. The parent is taught at weekly consultations to carefully praise fluent speech and gently correct stuttered speech. The amount of treatment will vary according to the stuttering, the child’s individual characteristics and parenting style. When the stuttering is absent or virtually absent, the child commences stage 2.

Maintaining Fluency
During stage 2, parents continue to respond to their child’s speech with praise or gentle correction. The treatment gradually reduces as stutter-free speech maintains. If signs of relapse are detected, treatment increases. Sometimes a child may briefly return to stage 1. Over time, treatment is withdrawn and the frequency of clinic visits reduces. Consultations stop when stutter-free speech is maintained over long periods of time.

More information
More information on the Lidcombe Program can be found in the Lidcombe program on the program website lidcombeprogram.org. Brenda is among the clinicians discussing the program in videos at this site. Brenda is also an author on the Lidcombe Program Treatment Guide.

Jones, M., Onslow, M., Packman, A., Williams, S., Ormond, T., Schwarz, I., et al. (2005). Randomised controlled trial of the Lidcombe Programme of early stuttering intervention. British Medical Journal, 331, 659-661.