Effectiveness of the Lidcombe Program for early stuttering in Australian community clinics

Author: O’Brian Sue   Iverach Lisa   Jones Mark   Onslow Mark   Packman Ann   Menzies Ross  

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

ISSN: 1754-9507

Source: International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, Vol.15, Iss.6, 2013-12, pp. : 593-603

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Abstract

AbstractThis study explored the effectiveness of the Lidcombe Program for early stuttering in community clinics. Participants were 31 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) using the Lidcombe Program in clinics across Australia, and 57 of their young stuttering clients. Percentage of syllables stuttered (%SS) was collected 9 months after beginning treatment along with information about variables likely to influence outcomes. The mean %SS for the 57 children 9 months after starting treatment was 1.7. The most significant predictor of outcome was Lidcombe Program Trainers Consortium (LPTC) training. The children of trained SLPs (n = 19), compared to the children of untrained SLPs, took 76% more sessions to complete stage 1, but achieved 54% lower %SS scores, 9 months after starting treatment. Results suggest that outcomes for the Lidcombe Program in the general community may be comparable to those obtained in clinical trials when SLPs receive formal training and support.