These experienced speech and language therapists from London's Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children have put their heads together to produce this excellent practical guide for therapists working with adolescents who stammer. The communication skills approach to treatment has been developed during the last 20 years by the therapists at the Michael Palin Centre.

The book comes at a time when there is very little available literature dealing with this particularly challenging age group. Any speech and language therapists who work only infrequently with this particular client group will welcome this as an essential handbook.

The material in the book is clearly and logically presented, making it an easy-to-use reference book. The first part of the book addresses the complexity of the unique issue facing the adolescent who stammers. An overview of relevant literature creates a theoretical frame work within which the nature and development of stuttering in adolescence can be understood. Chapters 2 to 5 deal thoroughly with the assessment and treatment procedures developed and used at the Centre.

There is a particular emphasis of gaining an understanding of the views and feelings of the adolescent client within the home, school and social settings. Parental involvement is seen as an integral part of the therapeutic process.

The final chapter by speech and language therapist Claire Topping covers specific assessment and treatment procedures for those teenagers with speech and language problems in addition to the stammering problem.

The book is brought alive throughout with colourful real life histories. The appendices are packed full of assessment and treatment forms and booklets. This book is an interesting and valuable resource for experienced and less experienced clinicians alike.

Reviewed in the Summer 1996 issue of 'Speaking Out' by Mary Collings and Hilary Liddle, Specialist Speech and Language Therapists, The Willy Russell Centre, Liverpool.

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