The Behavioral Cognitive Stuttering Therapy program is an experimentally documented clinical approach for the development of normal fluency. Its clinical methods and procedures have been found to be applicable for all ages. Although the approach relies on individual settings early in therapy, group sessions are feasible after the first week of intensive training.
Strategic Principles
1. Flexibility of Clinical Programs
2. Establish Clear Role Relationships
3. The Stimulus of Anticipation
4. Reinforce Desired Behaviors
5. Teach the Stutterer to Speak Fluently
6. Work Directly on Fluent Speech, Not Secondary Behaviors
7. Understanding through Demonstration
8. Small Sequential Steps
9. Automaticity through Repetition
10. Reinforce Any Increase in Fluent Speech
11. Early Generalization
12. Stressing Positive Changes
13. The Positive Aspects of Stuttering
14. Fluency and Environmental Support
15. Establishing Commitment through Fluency Contracts
Program Steps
The BSCT program is a systematic approach to fluency training which is structured within an operant conditioning framework. Fluency shaping activities are used which prevent stimulus anticipation and facilitate stimulus and response generalization. The four major units of the program are:
(1) Diagnostic Assessment;
(2) Fluency Shaping, with an emphasis on teaching prolongation;
(3) Counseling and Attitude Changes; and
(4) Fluency Maintenance.
Resources available in the program include an audio tape; assessment instruments for various age levels; diagnostic summaries; handouts for clients, family, and teachers; fluency shaping activities and schedule; fluency progress charts; fluency contracts; and follow-up questionnaires.
