Do you use the Lidcombe Program with children with Down’s Syndrome ? If so, do you take into account the developmental age rather than the chronological age when considering timing of treatment?

You can use the LP with children with Down’s Syndrome. However, it is important to remember that much of the research on the Lidcombe Program has been based on children without concomitant disorders. Hence it is difficult to apply the reported outcomes to this population.

When treating children with Down’s Syndrome it is therefore important to ensure that you have valid and reliable measurements so that you can determine that progress is occurring.

In terms of deciding on the timing of intervention, if their developmental age is such that they would not be able to participate adequately in the treatment, then you may consider waiting for a time. Otherwise you should consider the same issues that you would for other children. These are overviewed below:

time since stuttering onset (the chances of natural recovery occurring is reduced over time whether the child is normally developing or has a concomitant disorder)
pattern of severity of stuttering over time
when the child will be starting school
if the child or parent or peers are reacting negatively to the stuttering
Family history of stuttering

See Onslow, Harrison and Packman (2003). The Lidcombe Program – A Clinician’s Guide: Chapters 4 for more information about the Timing of Intervention.