Palin Parent–Child Interaction Therapy: The Bigger Picture

Abstract

Purpose Palin Parent–Child Interaction therapy (Kelman & Nicholas, 2008) is an evidence-based intervention for young children who stutter. The evidence consists of multiple single-subject replicated studies, and this demonstrates that the intervention is effective. The aim of this study was to enhance the evidence base by exploring the effectiveness of the therapy with a large cohort of children who stutter. Method Children and parents completed a range of assessments at 4 time points: start of therapy and then 3, 6, and 12 months later. The following variables were included: stuttering frequency, child's communication attitude, parents' perception of the impact of the stuttering on the child, the severity of stuttering and its impact on the parents, and their knowledge of stuttering and confidence in managing it. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to explore whether the variables are predictive for the outcome “parent knowledge and confidence.” In addition, we sought a preliminary view of factors associated with outcome level by separating children into 2 groups according to response to treatment (more successful and less successful). Results The results demonstrated a significant improvement in all variables, and this improvement was maintained for 1 year posttreatment. Measures collected 3 months after the start of therapy showed significant improvement in child attitude to communication, parents' knowledge and confidence in how to manage stuttering, and mothers' ratings of stuttering severity and impact the child's stuttering has on the mothers. By 6 months after therapy onset, there was a significant reduction in stuttering frequency and fathers' perception of severity and their worry about it. Furthermore, these improvements were maintained 1 year posttherapy. Several variables predicted parents' knowledge and confidence 6 months after the start of therapy. Finally, those who made greater improvements had mothers who were more negative in their ratings of severity and worry, and had less knowledge and confidence at the start of therapy. There were no differences between the groups on a range of other variables. Conclusions The results demonstrate that, over a year, children who attend a course of Palin Parent–Child Interaction show reduced stuttering frequency and a more positive attitude to speech. In addition, parents observe these improvements in the child, feel more confident in managing the stuttering, and are less worried about it. The different times at which specific variables significantly improved provides insight to a process of change over time. Results suggest that parents' ability to notice positive change in fluency and the impact that these observations have on both the child and the family are linked to their confidence in how to support the child. The preliminary findings with regard to response to treatment suggest that children can benefit from this program even with factors that might be predicted to reduce therapy success.

Stuttering Impact: A Shared Perception for Parents and Children?

“…Considering that most of the children either had received or were receiving therapy, this was unexpected, for it was predictable that the children would have greater knowledge about the disorder. It is possible that parents' responses reflected their own lack of knowledge, and this would be consistent with studies reporting that parents have a general lack of knowledge about stuttering, and about what they can do to help their children deal with stuttering effectively [9,15,23,40]. Such findings highlight the need for Portuguese therapy programmes to provide more information and education about stuttering, not only for children, but also for parents [15,36,40,61].…”

“…It is possible that parents' responses reflected their own lack of knowledge, and this would be consistent with studies reporting that parents have a general lack of knowledge about stuttering, and about what they can do to help their children deal with stuttering effectively [9,15,23,40]. Such findings highlight the need for Portuguese therapy programmes to provide more information and education about stuttering, not only for children, but also for parents [15,36,40,61]. Parents' feelings of guilt, helplessness, and worry might be mitigated if they had more knowledge about the disorder, and this might help them to develop more confidence and ability when it comes to supporting their children [14,60].…”

“…Parental input is also important due to the variability of stuttering, since they can give relevant information about children’s speech fluency and communication in situations which clinicians are not otherwise able to access [13]. Furthermore, understanding family dynamics and parents’ attitudes toward stuttering could improve the management of stuttering in children [9, 14, 15]. Family relationships have been found to affect children’s ability to cope with stuttering, for families can provide support and positive guidance to their children.…”

“…Family relationships have been found to affect children’s ability to cope with stuttering, for families can provide support and positive guidance to their children. Therefore, it should be a priority for clinicians to understand how the home environment influences the development of stuttering [15, 16].…”

Tratamento da gagueira infantil: avaliação do desempenho

“…Além disso, o fato de 43,7% dos participantes (9 crianças) apresentarem performance abaixo do que é esperado para sua faixa etária indica que componentes de intervenção direta são necessários para algumas crianças. Resultados semelhantes foram encontrados em estudos não randomizados que utilizaram tratamentos de abordagem indireta47,48,73,81 .…”