Managing stuttering beyond the preschool years.
OBJECTIVE
This prologue serves to introduce a research forum composed of studies that address the topic of stuttering in school-age children and adolescents. Researchers are encouraged to continue to build the knowledge base that sustains evidence-based practice in this area.


METHODS
The nature of stuttering as it evolves from early childhood into the school years is briefly described. Beyond the preschool years, children are unlikely to spontaneously recover from stuttering, and they often go on to suffer negative consequences, academically and socially, because of their disorder. If they are to overcome or manage their stuttering successfully, school-age children and adolescents require high-quality treatment. Three data-based studies that address the topic of stuttering in school-age children or adolescents are described, the ongoing need for empirical evidence regarding the management of stuttering is emphasized, and several issues relevant to future studies in this area are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Progress has occurred in the management of stuttering in school-age children and adolescents. Nevertheless, important questions remain unanswered concerning the most effective techniques and strategies to use in helping students who stutter achieve more fluent and natural-sounding speech in their quest to become more confident and effective communicators.
University of Oregon, Eugene, USA. nippold@uoregon.edu
Marilyn A
MA
Nippold
Ann
A
Packman
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013342:Stuttering / Q000628:therapy*