Selecting Treatments and Monitoring Outcomes: The Circle of Evidence-Based Practice and Client-Centered Care in Treating a Preschool Child Who Stutters

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the present clinical forum is to compare how 2 clinicians might select among therapy options for a preschool-aged child who presents with stuttering close to onset. Method I discuss approaches to full evaluation of the child's profile, advisement of evidence-based practice options open to the family, the need for monitoring of the child's response, and selection of other approaches, if the child appears nonresponsive to the 1st-line approach. Results Although some researchers and clinicians appear to favor endorsement of a single recommended treatment for early stuttering, I do not find this approach helpful or consistent with newer mandates for patient-centered care. I am also most comfortable recommending RESTART demands and capacities model as the 1st treatment approach, with parent consent, because its mechanism of action appears transparent and well-documented. Conclusions There are numerous well-supported intervention options for treating preschool children who stutter. No single therapy can possibly work for all clients. I discuss available options that I feel have sufficient evidence-based support for use with young children who stutter. I emphasize the need to consider more, not fewer, acceptable therapy options for children who do not respond positively to a selected treatment approach within a reasonable time frame.