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From: Ann Packman
Date: 10/23/03
Time: 9:30:28 PM
Remote Name: 129.78.64.100
I will confine my comments here to the timing of intervention, which is my brief. When children who are stuttering have a concommitant communication disorder, decisions about when to intervene with the Lidcombe Program can be difficult. Research has shown that while treatment times vary, 90% of children complete Stage 1 of the Program in 22 weekly clinic visits. A language disorder, providing it is not very severe, does not appear to affect treatment time, as the clinician adjusts the program appropriately. We are, however, currently researching this issue. In any event, knowing how long it is likely to take to complete Stage 1 means that clinicians can—taking other evidence into account as well—plan the timing of inervention with the Lidcombe Progam around any other therapy the child may be receiving. However, Lidcombe clinicians recommend that other therapy be suspended for the duration of Stage 1 of the Program, because a variety of feedback, or contingencies, may cause confusion.