Communication Sciences and Disorders 606

COSD 606: Fluency Disorders

Credit Hours: (2) Two hours lecture/seminar

Study of fluency disorders with special emphasis on research, assessment measures, intervention, and prevention.

Detailed Description of the Course

COSD 606 gives the student an understanding of the nature and treatment of fluency disorders. Etiological factors, professional treatment, theories, and the impact they have on interpersonal relationships will be discussed. The following topics will be covered in the course:

1. Theories of fluency disorders

        a. Psychological
        b. Physiological/Neurological
        c. Other

2. Assessment Procedures

        a. Examination procedures

                1) children
                2) adults

        b. Differential diagnosis
        c. Prognostic indicators

3. Intervention

        a. Classical procedures
        b. Instrumental and technological procedures

4. Prevention

Detailed Description of Conduct of the Course

The course contains lectures, video taped demonstrations, and seminar discussions on topics.

Goals and Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. define speech disfluencies in scientific as well as "lay" terms
2. provide information on the incidence of disfluency disorders by age, sex, socio-economic status and cultural backgrounds and the perception of fluency problems in different cultures.
3. exhibit adequate background information on the etiology of disfluency disorders
4. define the symptoms of disfluency disorders
5. accurately differentiate stuttering disfluencies from other disfluencies
6. understand the rationale for the onset, development and maintenance of disfluency disorders on predisposing, promoting and maintaining factors.
7. select appropriate assessment instruments and intervention procedures
8. identify the scope of data obtained in the assessment for determining the level of severity and the appropriate intervention
9. identify those children who have normal disfluency, borderline/at risk stuttering and those who have handicapping stuttering
10. identify speaking variables that are compatible with fluency and incompatible with disfluency
11. understand the rationale and mechanics of establishing an appropriate intervention approach
12. outline the procedures and progression of steps for disfluent individuals of all ages
13. understand the technology and materials used in establishing, transferring and maintaining fluency
14. identify research resources for disfluency disorders

Assessment Measures

Assessment methods will include quizzes and/or journal entries and/or evaluation of a research paper on a diagnostic and/or treatment technique that has been developed in the last five years.

Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

6-01 Change in course title Raymond Linville, Chair