An Experimental Treatment with Two Preschool Stuttering Children

Abstract

An experimental treatment was conducted with two stuttering children. Each child conversed with a “talking” puppet for a number of 20-minute sessions. Baserates of stuttering frequency were established. Treatment consisted of a “time-out” procedure during which the puppet was not visible and did not talk with the child for 10 seconds contingent on each stuttering. Generalization, carry-over, and follow-up sessions were conducted. The stuttering frequencies of both children reduced essentially to zero during the treatment sessions, and remained at that low frequency throughout generalization, carry-over, and follow-up sessions.