Goal 1: Developmental Stuttering Laboratory
To develop and provide evidence based treatment
The Austin Center for Stuttering Intervention and Research (ACSIR) is the integral part of the DSL that was created to accomplish the first main goal. The ACSIR mission statement is “To help persons who stutter, family members of persons who stutter, and professionals who work with persons who stutter in the community through one-on-one interaction, collaboration in innovative research, sharing of clinical best practices, and implementing cutting edge methodologies.”
General overview of the treatment program
The ACSIR team provides treatment to children and adults who stutter. Children ages 3-14 are primarily served through parent/child groups. These groups meet every Thursday for one hour. Children work with one clinician while parents participate in a counseling/training session with another clinician. At the end of each group session, the parents and children participate in an activity together designed to allow them to practice skills learned in the course of their session. Teenagers in grades 9-12 are served through a teens-only group. There is no parent component for the teen group. Adults are also served through weekly group sessions. Evidence suggests that group therapy is the most effective approach. However, if there is a unique circumstance, such as failure to make progress in group, individual therapy may be initiated.
General overview of the research program
The ACSIR team is dedicated to discovering the underlying causal contributors to the development of stuttering and the establishment of evidence based treatment for children and adults who stutter. Persons who stutter and their families will be provided a detailed overview of ongoing projects and have the option to participate or not.
General overview of the enrollment process
Prior to voluntary participation in either the treatment and/or the research program, the ACSIR team requires completion of a thorough assessment. The following schematic details the general assessment process in the ACSIR program:
For additional questions/concerns regarding the ACSIR program please contact Elizabeth Hampton, CCC-SLP, 512-232-1503,
To begin the enrollment process, please contact Carmen Bruno at 512-471-3841 and request a diagnostic evaluation with the ACSIR team.
