Developmental Stuttering Curriculum Outline

Stuttering Foundation Resources

The following is an outline of topics and links to Stuttering Foundation resources for instructors providing developmental stuttering course content.

Among other topics, the Treatment Core includes “Working with Parents” and “Treating Stuttering in Schools.” An additional section (Core Topic E: Additional Challenges and Stuttering Plus) includes cluttering, atypical disfluencies, multilingualism, and the co-occurrence of stuttering with other conditions (e.g., ADHD, Autism).

A. NATURE OF STUTTERING CORE (Click Here)

1. Etiology of stuttering
    a. Variability / individual differences
    b. Impact on how People Who Stutter (PWS) think about, feel about, react/respond to stuttering
        i. Developmental
       ii. Social
      iii. Emotional
      iv. Vocational
       v. Self-Concept
      vi. Family Dynamics

2. Nature of Stuttering
    a. Characteristics
    b. Levels of analysis: Genetic, Neurobiological, Psychological (cognitive and emotional)
    c. Fluency vs. disfluency
    d. Compare and contrast stuttering with other speech disorders
    e. Loss of control; Involuntariness

3. Theories/Models/Conceptual Framework
a. Historical perspectives: 1850’s to present
b. Psycho-linguistic, Psycho-behavioral, Psycho-emotional, etc.
c. Neurodevelopmental pathways

4. Scientific findings regarding stuttering:
a.Genetics
    b. Neuroanatomy & neurophysiology
    c. Language
    d. Speech motor control
    e. Emotion & temperament
    f. Cognition & intelligence
    g. Psychosocial factors
    h. Medication and devices

5. Development of Stuttering
    a. Incidence and prevalence
    b. Developmental trajectories (recovery and persistence)
    c. Risk factors
       i. Age at onset
          ii. Time since onset
         iii. Sex
         iv. Temperament
          v. Language
     vi. Speech motor control
        vii. Speech sound production skills
       viii. Stuttering severity
   d. Reactions to Stuttering
   e. Covert Stuttering
   f. Desensitization

B. COUNSELING CORE (Click Here)

1. Role of the SLP with clients who stutter
    a. Purpose of therapy
    b. Characteristics of the therapist
    c. Therapeutic alliance
    d. Boundaries/scope of practice
2. Readiness to change/process of change
3. Cultural awareness/competence
    a. Validating the client’s own perspective (verbal; nonverbal)
    b. Curiosity to understand clients’ perspectives
4. Valuing individual differences
5. Neurodiversity
6. Methods
    a. Cognitive
    b. Emotional
    c. Behavioral

C. ASSESSMENT CORE (Click Here)

1. Goals of assessment
    a. Purpose of assessment [why is the client/family coming to you?]
    b. Generating diagnostic questions [what do you want to learn from the client/family?]
2. Interviewing/Case history
    a. Key questions [Eliciting the client’s/family’s narrative/story]
    b. Fundamentals of counseling during interviewing
3. Assessment measures/tools
    a. Pre-assessment measures
    b. (Non)Standardized assessment
    c. Assessment of related areas/concerns/developmental milestones/abilities
4. Differential diagnosis
5. Prognosis
    a. Readiness for change
    b. Support networks
    c. Preschool prognosis for recovery vs. persistence
6. Recommendations
    a. Next steps for client/family
    b. Referrals
7. Follow-Up

D. TREATMENT CORE (Click Here)

1. Treatment domains – Addressing:
    a. Speech behaviors
    b. Nonspeech behaviors
    c. Social communication strategies
    d. Thoughts, feelings, and self-concept
    e. Life participation
        i. Addressing avoidance
       ii. Advocacy
          1. Teachers
          2. Medical Professionals
          3. Employers
          4. Family Members
          5. Self-Advocacy
2. Working with Parents
3. Treating Stuttering in Schools
4. Case-based treatment
    a. Problem-solving
    b. Implementation
5. Documenting change
6. Future planning
    a. Resilience
    b. Maintenance
    c. Self-therapy
    d. Support

E. OTHER FLUENCY CHALLENGES AND STUTTERING PLUS &

F. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (Click Here)

1. Cluttering
2. ADHD
3. Autism
4. Atypical Disfluencies
5. Multilingualism and Stuttering

6. Multiple Concomitant Diagnoses

This general outline was developed during a meeting sponsored by the Stuttering Foundation in October of 2022. We are thankful to the content experts who contributed to creation of the initial draft including Vivian Sisskin (Sisskin Stuttering Center), Cara Singer (Grand Valley State University), Ryan Pollard (University of Colorado), Evan Usler (University of Delaware), and Ellen Kelly and Jane Fraser of the Stuttering Foundation.

Stuttering Foundation materials (e.g., streaming videos, podcasts, YouTube videos, Ask The Stuttering Foundation videos, printed materials, and other resources) were subsequently added with related links for easy access by instructors and others seeking more information or ASHA continuing education opportunities. Video previews also are available. Some are available free of charge and others for purchase (as indicated when you access the links). CE offerings also have an associated cost. Resources, our catalog, and *CE offerings will be updated as they become available. (NB: Some materials are appropriate for multiple core components, but are not listed under all, leaving selections to the discretion of each user.)

We hope you find the outline and resources helpful as you plan courses, seek continuing education, or make recommendations to clients who stutter, their family members, and all who would benefit from knowing more about stuttering. Resources will be updated as new offerings are created or are made available for ASHA CEUs. Please let us know about how you have used this resource and feel free to provide any feedback.

Toll Free: 800-992-9392

Local: 901-761-0343

Help Desk for CEs: 912-268-2387

E-mail address: info@stutteringhelp.org

Helpful Links:

Streaming Video Library: https://thestutteringfoundation.vhx.tv/

Streaming Video Library Preview Videos: Stuttering Foundation Video Previews

Podcasts: https://www.stutteringhelp.org/podcast

YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/stutteringfdn

Ask the Stuttering Foundation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AskSF

*ASHA Online Continuing Education Catalog: https://www.stutteringhelp.org/training

General Resources Page with Links: https://www.stutteringhelp.org/resources-0