Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Opinions on Stuttering and its Treatment: A Follow-up Survey and Cross-cultural Comparison

 
Author(s) Thomas R. Klassen
Robert M. Kroll
Volume 29
Number 2
Year 2005
Page(s) 73-82
Language English
Category
Keywords fluency
disorders
stuttering
attitudes
opinions
speech-language
pathologists
treatment
Abstract A 20 item questionnaire dealing with fluency disorders was mailed to 981 Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA) speech-language pathologists. The survey was designed to track shifts in opinions on a number of issues from a previously reported study of CASLPA members, and also to compare to the responses of two similar studies conducted in the United States. The response rate was 52.1%. Results of the survey indicated that a lower percentage of the respondents are treating fluency disorders than had been reported in 1990. Several interpretations of this finding are offered including the trend toward specialization. There has been an increase in the numbers of clinicians working with pre-school children while the numbers working with adolescents and adults have decreased. There have been no discernible shifts in opinions regarding academic and clinical preparation for fluency disorders since 1990. More than three quarters of the respondents were of the opinion that recently established self-help groups represent an important adjunct to therapy. Several interesting differences between Canadian and American attitudes toward fluency disorders and their treatment were found including a greater emphasis placed on the psychological aspects of fluency disorders by clinicians practicing in the United States. Implications for further research are offered.



Une enquête comportant 20 questions sur les troubles de fluidité verbale a été envoyée à 981 orthophonistes membres de l’Association canadienne des orthophonistes et audiologistes (ACOA). Cette enquête visait à vérifier les changements d’opinion sur un certain nombre de points que les membres de l’ACOA avaient déjà soulevés précédemment dans un autre rapport. Elle cherchait aussi à comparer les réponses avec deux autres études semblables menées aux États-Unis. Le taux de réponse s’est élevé à 52,1 %. Les résultats de l’enquête indiquent qu’un pourcentage plus faible de répondants qu’en 1990 traite les troubles de fluidité. Plusieurs explications possibles ont été avancées, y compris la tendance à la spécialisation. Le nombre de cliniciens qui travaillent avec des enfants d’âge préscolaire a augmenté, tandis que le nombre de ceux qui traitent les adolescents et les adultes a diminué. Cette enquête n’a fait ressortir aucun changement perceptible concernant la formation universitaire et clinique nécessaire pour traiter ce genre de trouble. Plus des trois quarts des répondants étaient d’avis que les nouveaux groupes d’effort autonome constituaient un important complément à la thérapie. Plusieurs écarts intéressants entre les attitudes canadiennes et américaines vis-à-vis des troubles de fluidité et de leur traitement ont été observés, y compris l’importance accrue qu’accordent les cliniciens américains aux aspects psychologiques du traitement des troubles de fluidité. On y trouve aussi des pistes pour approfondir la recherche dans ce domaine.
Record ID 903
Link https://cjslpa.ca/files/2005_JSLPA_Vol_29/No_02_65-100/Klassen_Kroll_JSLPA_2005.pdf
 

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