The case for early intervention with pre-school dysfluent children.

This paper aims to provide support for the hypothesis that early intervention with young dysfluent children is more successful over a shorter period of time than if speech and language therapy is delayed. The case histories of children between the ages of 3;06 and 5;11 years and 8;00 and 10;11 years who attended the Michael Palin Centre in a one year period were analysed. Those children whose histories included four or more risk factors were included in the study. The amount and duration of speech and language therapy along with the outcome was measured. Outcome was measured by the presence of stammering and parental and child concern. Preliminary findings indicate that the hypothesis will be supported. Full statistical analysis will be presented at the conference. Implications of the findings for service delivery will be discussed.