Treatment for childhood stuttering
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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 Skype. |
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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, 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, 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.