Clinical Cases in Dysfluency

This is not just another book of cases that leaves readers on their own to discover what they would do if they encountered persons similar to the ones described in the text. One of the many strengths of this text is that it describes foundational issues critical to successful stuttering management, including the concepts of therapeutic change, common factors in successful therapy, and multicultural considerations in treatment. The first three chapters contextualize dysfluency and set the stage for the chapters to come. Clinical case reports illustrate approaches covering areas of treatment that clinicians may be unfamiliar with, including how to build resilience, incorporate mindfulness, and provide narrative therapy. The book also challenges readers to reassess their own views of stuttering as a disorder or disability, arguing that it be viewed as a vocal difference that adds to the world's diversity, rather than detracting from it. The editors and authors are a "who’s who" of international scholars in stuttering, and this is another strength of the text. Perhaps just as importantly, all are deeply invested in assisting persons who stutter and improving their quality of life, and in making sure that accurate information about stuttering gets into the hands of students and clinicians. This book does exactly that. - Shelley Brundage, Ph.D. Professor and Chair, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, George Washington University, Co-author ‘A Handbook on Stuttering’, USA

The initiative of crafting a book designated to fluency disorders-related case reports is a valuable one. The usefulness of case reports is often overlooked, and even into the last decade of the twentieth century, papers of this kind were often not considered worthy of publication. Nevertheless, this research strategy empirically investigates a particular phenomenon closely and in-depth in a certain realistic environment. The observations provide precious information and insight, often through detailed contextual analysis, on the nature of low incidence conditions or co-morbid fluency disorders - and the subsequent treatment attempts - that otherwise go unexplored because of the lack of data not allowing for group studies. This book delves into case reports, not only describing the characteristics of a fluency disorder and its sequelae but also the impact of the disorder on a person’s life and the stigma that it brings along. Therapeutic considerations are provided from the preschool years through adulthood. The scope of treatment includes traditional and well-known models to novel approaches that incorporate e.g. the usefulness of camps and support groups, and holistic approaches involving caregivers, and making use of the arts. Importantly, the "orphans" of the family, cluttering, neurogenic and psychogenic dysfluency, also get the attention they deserve and will hopefully assist the clinician in making the right differential diagnosis leading to appropriate need-based treatment. - Martine Vanryckeghem, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, F-ASHA, BCS-F, Pegasus Professor, University of Central Florida, USA

This book is critically needed and will be embraced by speech clinicians and students from all over the world. Known for their integrity and leading authority in the field of dysfluency, Kurt Eggers and Margaret M. Leahy edit this book and introduce dysfluency in various clinical and cultural contexts. It also includes selected case reports demonstrating different and current therapy approaches. The chapters are authored by distinguished experts from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. The dedication and passion of each author is reflected in every chapter. They are evidence of the continued debate on ‘whether one treatment approach is better than another’. The main point of convergence amongst the different authors is the importance of the human element in stuttering therapy and that stuttering is considered ‘positively’ in its complexity. In a nutshell, the authors of this book capture some of the most positive and current research in the field of fluency disorders. The book offers reflection and insight whether you are a student, clinician or a fluency specialist looking for interesting and creative approaches. Sit back and enjoy this book’s journey of excellence in the field of fluency disorders. A truly valuable book. - Joseph Agius, Ph.D. European Fluency Specialist, University of Malta/ ECSF author of iOS app ‘Fluency Smart Intervention Strategy’, Malta