The Lidcombe Program for stuttering, often referred to simply as the Lidcombe Program, is a well-established and evidence-based intervention for children who stutter. Developed in Australia by Mark Onslow and colleagues at the Australian Stuttering Research Centre, this program is primarily designed for young children who are experiencing stuttering and aims to reduce and eventually eliminate stuttered speech. Here are the key features and principles of the Lidcombe Program:
- Early Intervention: The Lidcombe Program is designed to be implemented as early as possible, ideally when a child is between 3 and 6 years old. Early intervention is crucial because it can increase the likelihood of achieving fluency.
- Parent-Delivered Therapy: One distinctive feature of the Lidcombe Program is that it is primarily delivered by parents or caregivers. Parents are trained by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to administer the program at home.
- Daily Practice: Parents are instructed to practice speech exercises with their child daily. These exercises focus on promoting fluent speech and reducing stuttering. The exercises are structured and include various activities that help the child speak more fluently.
- Two Stages: The Lidcombe Program consists of two main stages:
- Stage 1: Therapy in the Clinic: During this stage, parents and the child attend therapy sessions with an SLP. The SLP teaches parents how to conduct the therapy at home. The focus is on providing immediate feedback and reinforcement for fluent speech.
- Stage 2: Maintenance and Generalization: In this stage, parents continue the therapy at home. The emphasis shifts from direct feedback to tracking the child's stuttering and providing verbal contingencies based on their fluency levels.
- Daily Diary: Parents maintain a daily diary to track their child's stuttering and fluency levels. This diary is an essential tool for monitoring progress and adjusting therapy accordingly.
- Verbal Contingencies: Parents provide verbal contingencies based on their child's speech. They may provide praise and positive feedback for fluent speech or gently acknowledge stuttering without making it the focus. These contingencies are delivered in a nonjudgmental and supportive manner.
- Gradual Reduction in Therapy: As the child's speech fluency improves, the intensity of therapy is gradually reduced. The ultimate goal is for the child to maintain fluent speech independently without ongoing therapy.
- Speech-Language Pathologist Guidance: Throughout the program, an SLP plays a crucial role in training parents, monitoring progress, and providing support and guidance. The SLP may adjust the therapy plan based on the child's response.
- Cultural Sensitivity: The Lidcombe Program is designed to be culturally sensitive and adaptable to diverse backgrounds and experiences. It recognizes the importance of considering cultural factors in therapy.
- Research-Based: The Lidcombe Program is supported by extensive research demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing stuttering in young children.
- Regular Follow-Ups: After the child has achieved fluency and completed the program, regular follow-up assessments may be conducted to monitor their speech over time.
The Lidcombe Program has been widely used and has a strong evidence base for treating stuttering in young children. It empowers parents to take an active role in supporting their child's fluency development, and its early intervention approach can significantly improve the chances of long-term fluency.
