Student clinics for stuttering treatment: Client perspectives on the facilitators and barriers for successful treatment outcomes

Background: Published research shows that student-led clinics for stuttering treatment achieve similar outcomes to treatment provided by qualified SLPs, although treatment may take longer and there can be high rates of client attrition. While previous research has found that clients respond positively to having students involved in stuttering treatment, it has been quantitative in nature and focused on adult treatment.

Aim/s:
• To discover the clients’ perceived facilitators and barriers to client-defined “successful” stuttering treatment outcomes at a student-led clinic;
• To document the experience of receiving treatment at a student-led clinic for adults, children and parents and the clients’ recommendations for improvement.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two adults, eight parents and three children who had previously received Smooth Speech, Camperdown Program, Lidcombe Program or Westmead Program treatment at a student-led clinic. Inductive thematic analysis was performed to identify facilitators and barriers to treatment success, the experience of therapy for the client and areas for improvement.

Results: All clients were generally positive about their experience with students, particularly the support they received, however, parent perceptions of student involvement were more favourable if their children were no longer stuttering. Client age of treatment (child or adult) influenced what were seen to be the most important facilitators and barriers to successful treatment outcomes. Elements reported as both facilitators and barriers included accessibility of the service, student skill level and having multiple students involved in treatment.

Conclusion: This paper will discuss the clinical education and therapeutic implications of these findings for student-delivered therapy for people who stutter.