Goals of adults starting stuttering treatment and perceived important aspects of the Comprehensive Stuttering Program

There is much debate in the stuttering literature about whether the goal of stuttering treatment
should be improved speech fluency or less fear of stuttering. The speech pathologist’s desired
outcome and goal for treatment will determine what treatment components are included in the
intervention offered to clients. Having knowledge of client goals going into stuttering treatment and
those aspects the clients deemed to be important whilst in therapy will potentially enable speech
pathologists to develop treatments that better serve the needs of this population.
This study used applied thematic analysis to analyse archival data collected as part of treatment
during the Comprehensive Stuttering Program (CSP) for adolescents and adults. The CSP is usually
administered as a 3-week intensive program. It addresses overt aspects of stuttering through speech
restructuring techniques and the psycho-social sequelae through cognitive restructuring strategies.
As part of the CSP treatment, all clients complete a video-recorded pre-treatment interview and
monologue, post-treatment interview and final speech. These were transcribed for 66 clients who
had attended the CSP over a period of 10 years. The transcripts were then coded for client goals
upon entering treatment and the aspects of the treatment process, environmental context or self that
the clients considered important for treatment success during the CSP intensive period.
This paper will report the themes which emerged from these data and discuss how this knowledge
can be applied more broadly to treatment planning with adults who stutter.