Is parent-child interaction therapy effective in reducing stuttering?

Author: Millard, S.K., Nicholas A., & Cook F.M  Year: 2008

Millard, S.K., Nicholas A., & Cook F.M. (2008). Is parent-child interaction therapy effective in reducing stuttering? Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 51(3), 636-650. Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) with young children who stutter.

Method: This is a longitudinal, multiple single-subject study. The participants were 6 children aged 3;3–4;10 [years;months] who had been stuttering for longer than 12 months. Therapy consisted of 6 sessions of clinic-based therapy and 6 weeks of home consolidation. Speech samples were video recorded during free play with parents at home and analyzed to obtain stuttering data for each child before therapy, during therapy and up to 12 months post therapy.

Results: Stuttering frequency data obtained during therapy and post therapy were compared with the frequency and variability of stuttering in the baseline phase. Four of the 6 children significantly reduced stuttering with both parents by the end of the therapy phase.

Conclusions: PCIT can reduce stuttering in preschool children with 6 sessions of clinicbased therapy and 6 weeks of parent-led, home-based therapy. The study highlights the individual response to therapy. Suggestions for future research directions are made.