This course will present information regarding the assessment and management of stuttering with children, 3-7 years of age.  Assessment methods, issues and strategies will be presented, demonstrated and discussed.  This will include decision-making issues, to treat or not to treat, indications for treatment, indicators for natural recovery, and type of treatment indicated (parent-focused vs. child focused management). 

Contemporary intervention approaches for young children who stutter will be explored and discussed.  Intervention strategies addressed will include parent-focused management for the very young child and direct fluency management for the older preschool/early school-age child.  A management approach that emphasizes cognitive – linguistic strategies will be examined in detail (including underlying rationale, video examples of how to conduct therapy, and evidence regarding treatment effectiveness).

The focus of this online course will be the application of assessment and intervention procedures.  Video examples will be available online as will all course readings.  Students will participate in asynchronous, threaded discussions regarding assessment & intervention issues and case study applications.

An additional project will be required for the 3rd credit.

This course has been designed to meet the following Wisconsin Teacher Standards: