Treatment for childhood stuttering
|
Treatment for preschool children
Preschool children who stutter are ideally placed to begin stuttering treatment. Preschool children are highly responsive to the Lidcombe Program and, as a result, treatment is fun, easy and rewarding for both parent and child. The Lidcombe Program is an effective treatment for children who stutter (Jones et al, 2005). In Australia it is considered best practice for preschool children who stutter. It reduces stuttering through praise and correction. It is parent-administered and done under the supervision of the speech pathologist. The Lidcombe Program has been designed to adjust to the needs of your child’s interests. It can be provided in clinic, or over webcam internet using your phone, Skype or Zoom. Some parents are concerned that their young child may not be able to concentrate or sit still for the length of a session in front of a computer. We understand this concern, but wish to reassure you that, for most part, your child will be not be in front of the computer, but simply playing or looking at an activity in the same room as you. As happens in the clinic, most of the session, your speech pathologist will be speaking and working with you; only for a small portion of the session will your child be asked to sit in front of the computer. During that time, you will be asked to chat with your child or to look at a book with them (they are not expected to speak only to the clinician). This gives the therapist an opportunity to listen to your child’s speech, and for you to demonstrate how you have been doing the therapy. Research has shown that children who receive therapy in this way can progress as quickly as children who are having therapy at a clinic. Therefore, you can expect your child’s speech to improve as if they were having their therapy in the clinic. |
|
Treatment for school-aged children
Treatment in school aged children requires special sensitivity and experience for several reasons. First, many children in this age-group will have had some stuttering treatment in the past which they may not have found enjoyable or successful. Second, the child may be experiencing negative reaction to stuttering in the form of teasing and bullying. Third, a child in this age-group may already have formed some unhelpful attitudes to communicating, and self-concept may be affected. Specialised stuttering clinicians are able to carefully evaluate school-aged children to establish how best to assist.
Different treatments are available depending on the age of the child. For some younger school aged children the Lidcombe Program may be suggested. For older school aged children, the Camperdown Program may be appropriate. Children in the secondary school years may have difficulty attending the clinic and for these adolescents different treatment delivery options are available. Treatment over the phone, by Skype, Zoom or delivered intensively during school holidays may be suggested.
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.
Treatment in school aged children requires special sensitivity and experience for several reasons. First, many children in this age-group will have had some stuttering treatment in the past which they may not have found enjoyable or successful. Second, the child may be experiencing negative reaction to stuttering in the form of teasing and bullying. Third, a child in this age-group may already have formed some unhelpful attitudes to communicating, and self-concept may be affected. Specialised stuttering clinicians are able to carefully evaluate school-aged children to establish how best to assist.
Different treatments are available depending on the age of the child. For some younger school aged children the Lidcombe Program may be suggested. For older school aged children, the Camperdown Program may be appropriate. Children in the secondary school years may have difficulty attending the clinic and for these adolescents different treatment delivery options are available. Treatment over the phone, by Skype, Zoom or delivered intensively during school holidays may be suggested.
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.
