Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

Which type of treatment approach is exemplified by the Lidcombe program for stuttering?

1. Direct treatment

2. Indirect treatment

3. Counseling approach

4. Stuttering modification

The correct answer is: Direct treatment

The Lidcombe program is a direct treatment approach specifically designed for preschool-aged children who stutter. This approach focuses on providing immediate feedback in a structured manner, whereby parents and clinicians work together to reinforce fluent speech and facilitate a supportive environment. In this program, specific techniques are employed to reward fluent speech and address instances of stuttering directly, which empowers the child to become more aware of their speech patterns and develop strategies for managing stuttering. Direct treatment approaches are characterized by actively teaching skills and strategies to the individual, as well as giving immediate reinforcement for desired behaviors. This proactive engagement is essential in helping children learn to modify their speech in real-time, thus differentiating it from indirect approaches that might focus on less direct interventions, such as creating a supportive environment without direct speech modification techniques. In contrast, approaches categorized under indirect treatment do not directly target the speech behavior but rather address emotional or environmental factors surrounding the stuttering. Counseling approaches tend to be more focused on the psychological aspects of speech disorders, while stuttering modification involves strategies aimed at altering the stuttering itself rather than preventing it through structured feedback. Therefore, identifying the Lidcombe program as a direct approach highlights its focus on structured intervention and active parental involvement in the treatment process.