Goal 1: 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.”

Elizabeth Hampton leads pre-school therapy session

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:

3- Step Assessment chart.

1. Pre-assessment contact Carmen Bruno, 512.471.3841, submit case history, read materials and prepare questions

2. Assessment - interviews, screenings, tests, conversational interactions, exercises.

3. Recommendations and Decisions - review and discuss results, recommendations, and decide whether or not to participate in the program.

Regarding Step 3 above, it is important to note that even if the assessment confirms that the child or adult is a person who stutters, participation in the treatment program does not require participation in the research program, nor does participation in the research program require participation in the treatment program. These two programs are independent of one another, and the decision to participate in either one is made on a voluntary basis.

For additional questions/concerns regarding the ACSIR program please contact Elizabeth Hampton, CCC-SLP, 512-232-1503, elizhampton@gmail.com

To begin the enrollment process, please contact Carmen Bruno at 512-471-3841 and request a diagnostic evaluation with the ACSIR team.