Course Title

Fluency Disorders

Course Number

7241311

Instructor Name

Tala Nazzal

Contact Information

[email protected]

Semester(s) and academic year(s)

Second Semester 3

Compulsory / Elective

Compulsory

This course presents the theory, diagnosis and treatment of fluency disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. As a teacher-clinician, my goal is to develop your understanding and practice knowledge about individuals with stuttering and related fluency disorders so that you can provide quality services to these clients. In this course, we will review the symptomatology of stuttering, survey theories of stuttering, and examine normal versus abnormal fluency development. Then we will focus on diagnosis of fluency disorders and differential diagnosis of stuttering and related disorders of fluency. A central focus will be placed on the design and application of appropriate treatment programs for young children, school-aged children and adults who stutter. This will include knowledge in related areas necessary to treat this multidimensional disorder holistically, i.e. motor skills re-training, family involvement, and counseling. Throughout the course, I will involve you in practical experiences to enhance your clinical understanding; this will include discussion of clinical cases, videos of clients and master clinicians, opportunity to meet with individuals who stutter, and classroom experiences as well as assignments. 

• To describe in detail speech fluency and factors which interfere with it.
• To describe specific behaviors associated with the disability known as stuttering 
• To conduct critical review various theoretical models concerning the etiology of stuttering and the development of the disorder as well as variables that contribute to its maintenance 
• To develop assessment practices through examining interviewing methods, various diagnostic measures and instruments used in the assessment of those who stutter. 
• To list various therapeutic procedures and programs for the treatment of stuttering with consideration of age and cultural issues; to demonstrate motor speech modification strategies and counseling skills. 
• To develop a clinical philosophy to the treatment of stuttering and the potential handicap it presents in individuals’ lives, including for those clients with secondary issues such as concomitant phonology and/or language Impairment

Stuttering and Cluttering: Frameworks for understanding and treatment. Ward, D. 2006

Stuttering: An Integrated Approach to Its Nature and Treatment. Guitar, B. 2014