New research could open the way for many preschool children who stammer to be prevented from a lifetime of stammering, the British Stammering Association said today.

Research published in the current British Medical Journal confirms that speech therapy, known as the Lidcombe Programme, is highly effective for pre-school children who stammer.

The British Stammering Association is very concerned that there are still too many young children who develop a stammer and who are not receiving therapy at the best time to prevent a lifetime of stammering.

"The strong evidence behind the research is exactly what is required by the NHS to justify therapy services," said British Stammering Association (BSA) chief executive Norbert Lieckfeldt. "Therapy before the age of five is very much better than waiting to see if a child might grow out of stammering."

"BSA has been campaigning for many years for therapy to be available to young children who stammer, and are currently working closely with several NHS Trusts to develop best practice models", said Mr Lieckfeldt. "Therapy needs to be available to all preschool children who stammer, in all areas of the UK."

Therapy for preschool children takes less time and money because it is easier to treat at this age, with a high success rate. With such a short timeframe, there is a real urgency to help preschool children while they are most responsive. It is imperative that the question of access to therapy be addressed by the NHS now that there is a strong scientific evidence that it works.

For more information:

Norbert Lieckfeldt
020 8983 1003
07908 685 215

Comprehensive website: www.stammering.org
Helpline: 0845 603 2001

ends

Dated: September 27th, 2005

See also: New evidence for treating young children with the Lidcombe Program