Researchers and clinicians at the Australian Stuttering Research Centre (ASRC) are changing the lives of adults and children who stutter through evidence-based treatment and multi-disciplinary care. Perspectives on stuttering have shifted significantly over recent decades—the condition is now recognized as a physical condition influenced by genetics, physiology, and early childhood language development, rather than a psychological disorder.
Treatment for Children and Early Intervention
Early intervention is vital to prevent serious consequences of stuttering, which include bullying, social isolation, and social anxiety. The ASRC uses the Lidcombe Program for pre-school children, which has scientific evidence to support it. According to Professor Mark Onslow, Foundation Director at ASRC, “A speech pathologist teaches parents to do the treatment with their children in everyday conversations, and to give them feedback about their speech.” The timing of intervention matters significantly because untreated stuttering can develop social anxiety issues—Professor Onslow notes that around two-thirds of adults with a stutter who attend clinics have social anxiety issues related to their stuttering. Studies show that the quality of life impairment of stuttering is equivalent to that of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Treatment for Adults and Managing Anxiety
For adults living with long-term stutter, the ASRC emphasizes both speech control techniques and anxiety management. Luis Miguel Lainez Reche, 34, a senior software engineer undergoing treatment at the Centre, articulates the psychological component: “The thing with stuttering is, the more you care, the more you will stutter, and the more anxiety you will have.” His treatment combines retraining speech using techniques like gently starting words, plus cognitive behavioral approaches to manage anxiety. ASRC researchers have developed a CBT program specifically for people who stutter to manage the social anxiety associated with the condition. The iGlebe CBT program delivers treatment online, making care accessible to people living in 76 countries around the world.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.uts.edu.au/case-studies/helping-people-who-stutter