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The case for early intervention with pre-school dysfluent children
1Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children, Finsbury Health Centre, London.
Insights
Early intervention for children who stammer is more effective and quicker than delayed speech and language therapy. This study supports early treatment for childhood dysfluency.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Childhood Dysfluency
- Stammering Intervention
Background:
- Delayed speech and language therapy may impact treatment outcomes for childhood dysfluency.
- Identifying risk factors is crucial for effective early intervention.
- The Michael Palin Centre provides specialized services for children experiencing dysfluency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that early intervention for young dysfluent children yields better results in a shorter timeframe compared to delayed therapy.
- To analyze the relationship between the amount and duration of speech and language therapy and treatment outcomes.
- To investigate the impact of risk factors on the success of early intervention for stammering.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of case histories of children aged 3;06–5;11 and 8;00–10;11 years.
- Inclusion criteria: children with four or more identified risk factors for dysfluency.
- Measurement of speech and language therapy amount, duration, and outcomes (presence of stammering, parental/child concern).
Main Results:
- Preliminary findings suggest that early intervention is more successful and requires less time.
- Children receiving timely therapy showed reduced stammering and concern.
- The number of risk factors correlated with treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Early intervention in speech and language therapy for young children who stammer is strongly supported by preliminary data.
- Timely therapeutic services appear to lead to more favorable outcomes and reduced duration of treatment.
- Findings have significant implications for optimizing service delivery models for childhood dysfluency.
Abstract:
This paper aims to provide support for the hypothesis that early intervention with young dysfluent children is more successful over a shorter period of time than if speech and language therapy is delayed. The case histories of children between the ages of 3;06 and 5;11 years and 8;00 and 10;11 years who attended the Michael Palin Centre in a one year period were analysed. Those children whose histories included four or more risk factors were included in the study. The amount and duration of speech and language therapy along with the outcome was measured. Outcome was measured by the presence of stammering and parental and child concern. Preliminary findings indicate that the hypothesis will be supported. Full statistical analysis will be presented at the conference. Implications of the findings for service delivery will be discussed.