Individuals seeking help for stuttering will find a variety of treatment approaches available ranging from intensive therapy programs to special fluency devices. To help people who stutter consider their treatment options, not-for-profit Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI) has developed a recommended list of questions to ask stuttering treatment providers. The provider responses will help individuals make informed decisions about which course of stuttering therapy will best meet their needs.

“Stuttering is a malady that is surrounded by a wealth of theories and opinions about its nature and possible causes.  As a result, there are a variety of treatment options and techniques – all of which have varying levels of success,” said HCRI Founder and President Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D.  “Having a set of questions to use to evaluate different treatment options can be an invaluable tool to help people who stutter objectively determine the best treatment provider and approach for their condition.”

Individuals seeking help for stuttering should investigate a number of therapy approaches and providers before making a treatment decision. Roanoke, Virginia-based HCRI recommends asking providers the following questions to facilitate the decision-making process.

QUESTIONS FOR EVALUATING STUTTERING THERAPY OPTIONS:

Depth and Breadth of Experience

• Does the provider exclusively work with issues related to stuttering?
• How long has the provider been administering stuttering therapy to clients?
• What are the credentials of the provider?

• How many stuttering clients have been served?

Treatment Approach

• Is the stuttering treatment methodology based on the provider’s own analysis of objective methods that produce fluent speech?
• What is the length of treatment?
• What is the cost of treatment?
• What is the therapy drop out rate?

Stuttering Therapy Success Rate

• What percentage of clients achieved fluency at the conclusion of the program?
• What are the longer term therapy follow-up results?
• What percentage of clients would recommend the provider’s treatment program to others?

“We encourage everyone to research their treatment options and make informed decisions about stuttering therapy. Taking the time to consider the experience, approach and success rates of different stuttering therapists will help ensure the best possible fluency outcomes,” Dr. Webster added.

About HCRI

Hollins Communications Research Institute (www.stuttering.org), founded in 1972 by Ronald L. Webster, Ph.D., has grown into a world-leading center for stuttering research and therapy innovation.  The nonprofit institute is unique from other stuttering organizations in that work focuses on developing scientifically based treatment methods, as well as administering stuttering therapy.  HCRI is located at 7851 Enon Drive, Roanoke, Virginia, 24019 and can be contacted by emailing admin@stuttering.org or calling 540-265-5650.