Word-final disfluency (WFD), also referred to as end-word repetition and echo dysphemia, most often takes the form of a final rhyme-repetition involving a whole or partial syllable (for example, lock-ock, brother-er, ca-ake). While WFD has been reported in case studies of children described as neurotypical, autistic, and having other conditions, little research exists to shed light on epidemiology, neurological underpinnings, or course of development. Case descriptions of WFD suggest a multidimensional profile differing from developmental stuttering.

In this one-hour presentation, Vivian Sisskin, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-SCF,  and Samantha Wasilus, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-SCF, report therapy data for 20 successfully completed therapy cases of WFD in children using Structured Awareness Therapy for Word-Final Disfluency (SAT-WFD)©. Promising pilot therapy data support the need for research in (1) Incidence/prevalence, and relationship to developmental stuttering (2) potential causes or functions, and (3) evidence-based therapy approaches.

Sisskin and Wasilus describe their therapy protocol to support SLPs/SLTs currently experimenting with therapy approaches that have proved unsuccessful.

"To borrow the moderator's words from the beginning of the presentation, this was the most "clear, thorough, and systematic" presentation I believe I've ever had the privilege of watching. It was exactly the information that I was looking for."

Learning Outcomes:
As a result of this activity, participants will be able to 

1.    describe and provide an example of 3 typologies of WFD 
2.    list treatment phases and goals in the therapy protocol for Structured Awareness Therapy for Word-Final Disfluency (SAT-WFD).
3.    name 2 areas of research need that emerge from the authors’ pilot data.

DISCLOSURES: Vivian Sisskin and Samantha Wasilus each received an honorarium for this presentation from the Stuttering Foundation. Neither Vivian Sisskin nor Samantha Wasilus has a non-financial relationship to disclose.

SATISFACTORY COMPLETION: Course takers must earn a passing score on a multiple-choice test in order to achieve satisfactory completion.