Speech-Language Pathologists: One Size Does Not Fit All - Part II

Written By Dana Wierzbicki

How do you know if an SLP has expertise in stuttering? First, it is important to know that stuttering is a relatively uncommon disorder for SLPs. According to a 2018 study by Briley, SLPs working in public schools in North Carolina treated an average of only 2.2 students who stutter per year out of an average caseload of 46.6 students. And in a recent national study, Beita-Eli & Boyle (2020) found that school-based speech-language pathologists reported only moderate self-efficacy for providing multidimensional treatment for children who stutter.

To help you or your child, you want to find an SLP who is experienced and confident in treating stuttering. Plexico et al. (2010) found that the following characteristics of an SLP led to the best outcomes: 

  • Empathetic, kind, calm, and patient

  • Professional and knowledgeable

  • Knowledgeable about stuttering

  • Believe in client’s ability to change

  • Utilize a client-driven therapy approach

You can find SLPs with these characteristics in various ways. A good starting point is ASHA ProFind, where you can look up SLPs in your area and find out if they have experience treating stuttering. Many SLPs interested in treating stuttering are also members of the ASHA Special Interest Group 4: Fluency and Fluency Disorders. 

The Stuttering Foundation has a referral list, and Spero Stuttering has a designation for SLPs interested in treating stuttering. The Ally of Stuttering Seal is a recognition “that the SLP holding the seal has a special interest in stuttering and has received intentional training beyond graduate school. The seal also recognizes that the Ally of Stuttering SLP is committed to ongoing training and professional development in the area of fluency disorders at regular intervals.” 

Finally, some SLPs received board certification in fluency disorders. This is a rigorous process that takes years to complete. More information and a list of board-certified clinicians is available on the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders (ABFFD) website.   

To learn more, download a copy of the “How to Choose an SLP” guide at https://www.infinitehorizonspeech.com/resources 

References:

Beita-Ell, C., & Boyle, M. P. (2020). School-based speech-language pathologists' perceived self-efficacy in conducting multidimensional treatment with children who stutter. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 51(4), 1172–1186. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_lshss-20-00044

Briley, P. M. (2018). Issues in assessment of children who stutter: A survey of speech-language pathologists in the state of North Carolina. Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders, 3(2), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.21849/cacd.2018.00353

Plexico, Manning, and DiLollo (2010) as cited in Manning, W. H., & DiLollo, A. (2018). Clinical decision making in fluency disorders. Plural Publishing, Inc.

Keywords: Keywords: speech therapy, stuttering, learning disabilities, dyslexia, childhood apraxia of speech, voice, teletherapy, telepractice, Texas, Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Klein, Spring, Woodlands

Dana Wierzbicki
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Speech-Language Pathologists: One Size Does Not Fit All - Part I