Text messaging and stuttering

Mobile phone technology could provide the key to more accurate monitoring of early childhood stuttering according to the findings of Macquarie University Masters student Michelle Bennett.

Bennett, who has recently completed her Masters of Speech and Language Pathology, conducted a case study utilising SMS technology (Short Messaging System) in a stuttering monitoring program.

“Managing childhood stuttering is an important area of research as most children who begin to stutter do so in the preschool years,” she explains. “Though studies have shown that school age children can do very well with treatment, in general treating children prior to school has been indicated as being more effective.”

There has been a great deal of research conducted on stuttering to date, but Bennett, under the guidance of her supervisor, Dr Elisabeth Harrison, looked at SMS technology as the primary mode of service delivery. This is the first study of its kind.

“What was important to us was to develop a research project that had the potential to provide clinical data of use to both the individual participants and to stuttering research at large,” she Bennett. “We also wanted to assess the value of using daily SMS to develop a time and cost efficient method of monitoring early childhood stuttering prior to treatment.”

Why is it important to monitor childhood stuttering?

There are a number of reasons why monitoring children’s stuttering prior to treatment is important. “Many children who begin to stutter do recover without formal treatment and by closely monitoring stuttering on a daily basis, clinicians may be given an indication of whether the severity of stuttering is increasing, decreasing or remaining consistent,” Bennett explains. “This information can then be used to make more object management decisions about when to commence treatment.”

Results so far

The results to date have been very positive with SMS compliance rates above 90 per cent. One rural client was included in the study. This would not have been possible had the data been collected by the more traditional method of regular in-clinic visits.

As the study has only provided preliminary results, Bennett hopes that it will be replicated with an increased number of participants over a longer period of time.

“This will enable a valid comparison of the response rate in the study with existing research into monitoring early childhood stuttering through in-clinic visits,” she says.

Masters of Speech and Language Pathology

The Masters of Speech and Language Pathology is a two-year full time program. This course prepares graduates for the profession of Speech Pathology, enabling them to work clinically with individuals who have developmental or acquired communication and swallowing disorders. Students engage in comprehensive supervised clinical placements, which provide them with the opportunity to develop skills in assessment, intervention, service delivery and other aspects of professional practice.

For further information contact Bennett’s supervisor Elisabeth Harrison via e-mail: elisabeth.harrison@mq.edu.au or course coordinator Beth Armstrong: beth.armstrong@mq.edu.au. Alternatively you can visit the Department of Linguistics website: http://www.ling.mq.edu.au/

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