Lidcombe Program: Development and validation of reflective questions

Abstract

The Lidcombe Program of early stuttering intervention is an evidence-based behavioural treatment originally developed for children younger than 6 years. Problem-solving is inherent during Lidcombe Program treatment. Therefore a number of reflective questions were devised to assist speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to detect clinical procedures that vary from those recommended in the Lidcombe Program Treatment Guide and to employ suitable strategies. A two-stage validation process of the reflective questions was conducted. First, questions were developed and then revised with input from the members of the international Lidcombe Program Trainers Consortium. Then feedback on their clinical usefulness was obtained from public health SLPs. The outcomes of each stage of validation are reported and implications for speech-language pathologists delivering the Lidcombe Program discussed.