Lidcombe method

What is the programme Lidcombe;

The program Lidcombe is a training programme for parents by specialised speech and language therapists to provide daily therapy in the child's home environment when the child needs it. It began in research centres at the University of Sydney in Australia and in recent years has become a clinical tool for British and Canadian therapists. In May 2008, the first Greek speech and language therapists were trained in the method, including the head of our centre, Mr. Bohatziar Evangelos.

How the treatment is carried out according to the programme Lidcombe;

• The treatment is administered by the parent or caregiver in the child's everyday environment.
• Parents learn how to do the therapy during weekly visits to the speech and language therapist.
• The treatment is divided into two stages. The first stage where treatment is carried out daily by the parent and parent and child attend the clinical talk twice a week. This continues until the stammering disappears or reaches a particularly low level. Then the second stage with the aim of keeping stuttering at bay for at least a year where clinical sessions are reduced. This stage of treatment is necessary because stuttering can recur after a successful treatment.
• The parent learns to measure the severity of the stuttering with a specific scale

What is the aim of the programme?

The goal of the program is to achieve and maintain zero stuttering.

Which age groups are targeted by the programme Lidcombe;

The programme is for children who stutter under the age of six. However, in no way does this make it prohibitive for older ages, it is just that research shows that success rates are lower

How well the programme works Lidcombe;

Independent clinical studies show that it is capable of relieving the child from stuttering. Research has also proven that the program is safe. It does not interfere with the parent-child relationship and has no apparent effect on other aspects of communication.  Parents report that their children are more social and talk more after treatment.

Why the programme Lidcombe guarantees the highest success rates;

It is a fact that for the first time we can guarantee the highest success rates over stuttering therapy in children under preschool age because:

• The child has not arrived at school feeling marginalised and there are no other psycho-emotional factors involved.
• The treatment is administered by the parent, in the child's environment, exactly when the child needs it.
• After the end of the treatment, the parent has full control over the treatment and becomes autonomous.
• Children enjoy the programme as it is directly based on their interests and the frequent sense of achievement which is ensured by the graduated structure of the programme.
• The way the program is implemented is unique and individualized according to the diversity of each family and child.
• It combines the therapist's expertise in stuttering and the parent's expertise on their child.

Certified representative - parent trainer based on the Lidcombe programme

Evangelos Bochatziar