Dedicated to best clinical practice and continuing education in stuttering.
Menu
The Lidcombe Program is a behavioural speech therapy for children who stutter. It works best when they are aged roughly 2 to 6 years old, but it may also be suitable for some older children. The program takes its name from the suburb of Sydney where the Australian Stuttering Research Centre (ASRC) was located.
It is a direct treatment administered by a parent in the child’s everyday environment. During weekly visits, the speech and language therapist teaches the carer to make positive comments about the child’s speech at specific times during the day. They observe how the parent delivers the treatment during visits and offer feedback and guidance. This step is essential, because it is the therapist’s responsibility to ensure that the treatment is performed appropriately and is a positive experience for everyone involved.
To measure the progress of the treatment in increasing fluency, the therapist teaches the parent to rate the severity of the child’s stuttering daily on a scale from 0 to 9. The ratings are discussed weekly with the speech clinician. Once stuttering is either eliminated or at an extremely low level, the maintenance stage 2 starts and lasts about a year, while the frequency of weekly visits decreases. The aim of this stage is to keep stuttering, which is prone to relapse, from returning. For maximum benefit to the child, it is very important to work with a clinician who is trained and experienced in this treatment. However, for a general summary you can also download the Lidcombe Program Treatment Guide free of charge by clicking here. This guide by no means eliminates the need to work with a trained professional.
If you are a speech and language practitioner and you would like to follow a Lidcombe Program training, see the schedule here below to sign up for one of our next workshops!
For more information about the program itself, please visit the Lidcombe Program Trainers Consortium website.
Continuing education in speech-language therapy for stuttering. You can sign up for this interactive online workshop for SLPs. ASHA CEUs are available for this workshop. The workshop is delivered in a synchronous fashion, you will need to attend al twelve hours of the professional training.
A comprehensive 12-hour online training in the Lidcombe Program, designed for speech-language pathologists working with preschool-aged children. This program equips clinicians with the skills, structure, and confidence to deliver effective early intervention. Participants receive 1.2 ASHA CEUs, a certificate of completion, and access to the community of practice in the Lidcombe Program.
ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
This workshop provides basic training in the Lidcombe Program, an evidence-based behavioural intervention to treat stuttering in preschool aged children. SLPs will identify efficacy data, apply the Lidcombe program principles, and learn the necessary problem solving skills to apply the program with children and parents.
The Lidcombe Program was developed as a continuing education workshop by Professor Mark Onslow, Director of the Australian Stuttering Research Centre (ASRC) of the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. There are no other similar products available. This course will only cover information that pertains to the safe use of the above-named product. This presentation will focus exclusively on and will not include information to other similar or related products.
Satisfactory Completion Requirements:
12 live contact-hours for successful course completion. The workshop is interactive and requires learners’ participation and attendance to all 12 hours. The course is not recorded.
As a result of this activity the participant will be able to:
Throughout the workshop attendees are encouraged to submit their questions in a Google doc that is followed daily by the presenters during the workshop and left on-line for 2 weeks following each workshop. 12 contact hours.
This module introduces the program by presenting a brief overview of the workshop, introduction of the presenters and attendees, and presentation of the evidence-base. The measurement portion of the workshop is introduced and provides opportunities for attendees to practice rating stuttering severity using the 11-point scale and charting daily/weekly severity ratings. Attendees will have the opportunity to problem solve issues that may arise during the training of the parent at this stage. 3 hours.
9-9:15 Introduction of participants and their experience
9:15-9:30 – Overview of the Lidcombe Program
The major steps in the program are outlined to provide a full description of the program that orients participants to the basic stages of treatment.
9:30-10:30 – The Lidcombe Program Evidence base (Clinical Research)
This section describes and discusses questions that parents and professionals ask about the Lidcombe Program that can be answered by the clinical research. This section ends with discussion among participants and questions answered.
10:30-10:40 – Coffee Break
10:40-12:15 – Measurement
The objectives/rationale of measurement are presented with video examples, practice activities, group problem solving discussion so that presenters fully understand the importance of this first stage of the Lidcombe Program in the full treatment.
This module describes the verbal contingencies, of which there are 5 types: 3 for stutter-free speech and 2 for stuttering. It introduces and describes training of the parent to provide daily practice sessions and progress to providing verbal contingencies in natural conversations of daily life. All material is enhanced by descriptive and informative video clips and group discussion and problem-solving experiences. Attendees have an opportunity to practice providing verbal contingencies for stuttering and stutter-free speech (fluency). 3 hours.
9-9:15 – Review of module 1 and questions arising from the first day
This includes questions that may have been put on the google.doc that is available to all participants.
9:15-9:45- Conclusion of measurement including group problem solving
This includes presentation of common problems that may occur with measurement and could be barriers to treatment progress, with small group discussion and presentation of possible solutions using the measurement procedures as examples. Please note that when the group size is small, problem solving may be done with the entire group.
9:45-10:30 – Parent Verbal Contingencies in the Lidcombe Program
In this section each of the 3 contingencies for stutter-free speech and the 2 contingencies for stuttering are presented with video examples. Participants will have an opportunity to practice the verbal contingencies in small groups or pairs, and share feedback to the group regarding their ability to model these verbal contingencies.
10:30-10:40 – Coffee Break
10:40-11:15 – Parent Verbal Contingencies, continued and complete
11:15-12:15- Treatment in Practice Sessions
Participants are first introduced to the use of verbal contingencies in practice sessions. This includes the rationale, procedures and description, which are complemented by comprehensive video tape examples of each point and demonstration of practice sessions. The module ends with a question period for participants to clarify any confusion they may have.
This module concludes treatment in natural conversations and takes the participants through a typical stage 1 visit in detail, with video clips describing each point of treatment. There is ample opportunity for discussion and practice. 3 hours
9-9:15 – Review of Module 2 and any questions arising
9:15-10:00 – Treatment in Natural Conversations
This section discusses the nature of and importance of providing verbal contingencies during the natural conversations of the child’s day. It describes how to progress from practice sessions to natural conversation, and is accompanied by descriptive videos that demonstrate this procedure.
10:00-10:30- Videos of parents providing verbal contingencies and group discussion.
Participants then practice giving verbal contingencies in practice sessions in small groups or pairs.
10:30-10:40 – Coffee Break
10:40-12:15 – Overview of a Typical Stage 1 Session (with Videos)
Stage 1 of the Lidcombe Program is reviewed in detail, with accompanying videos to demonstrate each step of the program and answer all questions pertaining to the Stage 1 procedures to the satisfaction of all participants.
Any questions arising from the first 2 modules are also discussed, as well as questions comments on the google.docs.
The final module presents Stage 2 of the Lidcombe Program as well as a detailed discussion of parents’ perceptions of the Lidcombe Program, which can be helpful in preparing for new clients. Attendees participate in 6 problem-solving scenarios arising from treatment to practice using the problem-solving aspect of the Lidcombe Program. Discussion in this module is often customized to respond to the unique questions of all participants. Questions about older children, children with other speech and language concerns in addition to stuttering, bilingual children often arise in this portion of the workshop and can be discussed as they pertain totreatment with the LP. 3 hours
9:00-9:15 – Review of Module 3 and questions arising pertaining to any module to date.
9:15-10:00- Stage 2 of the Lidcombe Program
This portion introduces the Stage 2 of the Lidcombe Program and includes the criteria for entering Stage 2, procedures for strategically reducing the frequency of clinic visits, criteria to be maintained to continue to progress in Stage 2, and problems that may be encountered. All this information is supplemented by videos and group discussion of potential problems to be solved.
10:00-10:30- Parent Experiences and Perception of the Lidcombe Program
Two studies of parent’s experiences using the LP are presented to provide participants with information that is essential to preparedness for the needs of parents throughout treatment with the program. This information can be a helpful guide to anticipation and organization of treatment that supports all parents’ needs.
10:30-10:40 – Coffee Break
10:40-11:30- Case Problem Solving
Six (6) different case scenarios that are commonly seen as challenges during treatment, are presented for small group problem solving. This portion of the workshop gives participants an opportunity to use the information from this workshop to begin to problem solve challenges to progress during the treatment. Depending on the size of the group, this may be done as one large group.
11:30-12:15 – Discussion of questions/issues arising from the workshop.
Any questions that were identified on Day 1 of the workshop that have not been answered are discussed at this time, and participants can ask any further questions that have arisen from this training. Information regarding follow up, mentoring opportunities, on-line support, community of practice, and any other support offered by Stuttering-Montreal, is presented at this time.
This workshop is available only to Speech Language Pathologists. Speech therapy. Aides and/or parents are not permitted to take this workshop as per the recommendations of the ASRC.
Participants currently receive workshop materials 2 days prior to the scheduled presentation and although it is recommended that they review them, this is not required for participation in the workshop.
If a participant cancels within 1 month of the date of the workshop, they receive the option of rescheduling with full credit to another workshop or receiving a full refund, minus a $50 administration fee, which is discretionary by our organization, depending on the circumstances of the cancellation. For example, if there is a waiting list for the workshop, we may not charge the administration fee.
When a participant cancels less than one month before the start of the workshop, we provide partial refund or credit/reschedule of the workshop as an option.
Complaints regarding one of our Lidcombe Program Workshops can be addressed by email to Lynn M., Maher by email to lmmaher@uh.edu.
12 live contact-hours for successful course completion. The workshop is interactive and requires learners’ participation and attendance to all 12 hours. Small and big-group discussions as well as ongoing interaction happens throughout the workshop. The course is not recorded.
Times in Montreal-New-York Time
Stuttering Specialists Montreal has launched a Community of Practice to provide a forum for clinicians who have taken the 12-hour Lidcombe Program workshop and would like to discuss themes related to the Lidcombe Program in clinical practice. Sessions of 60 minutes each will be led by members of the Lidcombe Program Trainers Consortium and offer the opportunity to discuss the Lidcombe Program, focusing on both success and challenges to the treatment of young children who stutter. If you would like to discuss a specific case, there are mentoring opportunities that you can see at our Professional Development page.
You need to have completed the Lidcombe Program Workshop to attend the community of practice.
The Lidcombe Program Trainers Consortium is an international group of speech-language pathologists dedicated to the training in the Lidcombe Program. With members in Europe, Asia, New-Zeland besides Australia, they provide workshops in various languages and with the advent of online workshops participants are from around the world.
Please read ahead to know more about each member of the North-American Consortium.
Speaker’s Disclosures:
Financial: I receive a speaking fee for presenting the workshop.
Non-Financial: I am a member of the Lidcombe Program Trainer’s Consortium, for which I receive no further compensation.
Rosalee C. Shenker has specialized in stuttering for over 40 years, choosing during the past 30 years to focus on treatment of children. She is founder of the Montreal Fluency Centre, a non-profit clinic specialising in treatment of children with speech, language, and literacy concerns, as well as stuttering. An expert in her field, she has taught at McGill University for 20 years, and is a founding member of the Lidcombe Program Training Consortium. She has provided invited presentations, workshops and mentoring to over 3000 clinicians in Canada, USA, France, Italy, Croatia, Argentina and Israel.
Rosalee has published in peer-reviewed journals and contributed chapters on stuttering to various textbooks. Her most recent work involves the treatment of bilingual children who stutter. Rosalee is the proud grandmother of four adorable children.
Speaker’s Disclosures:
Financial: I receive a speaking fee for presenting the workshopNon-Financial: I am a member of the Lidcombe Program Trainer’s Consortium, for which I receive no further compensation.
Gissella is a passionate speech-language pathologist who works in English, French and Spanish. After completing a Bachelors’ degree in molecular biology (with a minor in Russian, because she has always loved language!), she pivoted her career towards Speech-Language Pathology. She has now accrued over 15 years experience in the treatment of stuttering. Gissella’s approach is rooted in several different methodologies within stuttering. Additionally, she is trained in solution-focused brief therapy (CSFT), and is additionally trained in Level 1 CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). In addition to her clinical practice, Gissella provides continuing education for speech-language professionals through Lidcombe Program workshops and has co-authored articles pertaining to stuttering assessment and treatment.
