Date of Award
5-11-2025
Date Published
June 2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Advisor(s)
Victoria Tumanova
Abstract
Abstract Purpose: This study examined the efficacy of a novel teletherapy speech restructuring treatment, Flexible Rate, grounded in motor learning principles and delivered within the Challenge Point Framework. The following variables were evaluated: stuttering frequency (percentage of stuttered words), perceived stuttering severity (rated by participants, parents, and the researcher), perceived speaking control, and communicative attitudes. Methods: A series of single-case studies utilizing an ABA design was used to examine the effects of Flexible Rate treatment in two children who stutter, ages 10 and 13. During treatment (B), participants completed two 30-minute virtual sessions per week for eight weeks. Participants were trained to elongate the initial sound of the first word in a sentence and in words beginning with individualized target sounds. Treatment outcomes were compared to baseline (A1) and follow-up (A2) phases. Measures included stuttering frequency (percentage of stuttered words), perceived stuttering severity (rated by the participant, parent, and researcher), perceived speaking control, and the OASES, CAT, and TOCS Parent Observational Rating Scale. Visual analysis and Cohen’s d were used to evaluate treatment effects. Results: Both participants demonstrated reductions in stuttering frequency and perceived stuttering severity, with large effect sizes observed from baseline to follow-up. Perceived speaking control increased post-treatment for both participants. Both participants showed gains on select OASES subscales, though only one demonstrated improvement on the CAT. Parental ratings on the TOCS indicated clinically significant post-treatment changes for both participants. Conclusion: Results suggest that Flexible Rate may reduce stuttering frequency and perceived stuttering severity, while improving perceived speaking control. However, limited changes in communicative attitudes highlight the need for further study.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Sherry, Jenna Renee, "FLEXIBLE RATE: A MOTOR-LEARNING BASED TREATMENT FOR CHILDHOOD STUTTERING" (2025). Theses - ALL. 948.
https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/948
