Stuttering therapy with British-Asian children. II: Speech and language therapists' perceptions of their...

This paper tested hypotheses arising from the literature on the treatment of stuttering in British-Asian children and adolescents, using data obtained from a postal questionnaire completed by 87 therapists. The results showed therapists treating lower numbers of Asian clients than expected, but perceiving their therapy to be less effective with their Asian clients than with their British ones. The variables affecting therapists' perceived success were not those expected. Greater experience with Asian clients did not increase perceived success, nor did Asian therapist and client sharing broadly the same cultural background guarantee success. A satisfactory interpreter service did not lead to a higher perceived success rate, nor did postgraduate training or making special changes to usual working practices. On the contrary, therapists in the last two categories were less likely to perceive success with their Asian clients. Therapists identified a very wide range of cultural factors needing special consideration in therapy, but consensus centred around parental attitudes to stuttering and to therapy.