Evolving communicative competence is a treatment framework for children who stutter ages eight to eighteen based upon the multidimensional nature of the problem and the importance of varied treatment outcomes as the problem persists. This framework includes five potential areas of focus, broadens a child’s perspective of communication (beyond stuttering-fluency) and emphasizes the importance of continuing to evolve as a communicator. These areas of focus (attentive, assertive, confident, effective, proactive) encompass actions drawn from evidence within our field (fluency shaping and stuttering modification), as well as from cognitive behavioral therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and neuroscience. This presentation defines and applies these areas of focus across individual cases.

Bio: Kristin Chmela, M.A., CCC-SLP BCS-F, spends the majority of her time working with individuals of all ages with fluency disorders at her clinic, Chmela Fluency Center, in the suburban Chicago area. She is a recognized lecturer on the topic of childhood fluency disorders, and is co-founder and co-director of Camp Shout Out, a therapeutic program for school-age children who stutter and a hands-on training opportunity for professionals and graduate students. Kristin was former Chair of the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders, has supervised graduate students from across the globe, and provides professional apprenticeships. Throughout her career, Kristin has collaborated extensively with the Stuttering Foundation on training videos, conferences, and publications, and is lead author of Basic Principle Problem Solving: Working with School-Age Children Who Stutter.