Fluency SIS: Smart Intervention Strategy

The Fluency: Smart Intervention Strategy is an application for speech language pathologists and students to use with school age children who stutter. The strategy provides a framework for a program which encourages creativity and humour during intervention sessions. The SIS consists of four components and different activities are included. The Four Components of the ‘Smart Intervention Strategy’ are: a) Think Smart, Feel Smart b) Cool Speech c) Challenge the Dragons d) Into the ‘Real’ World. The Smart Intervention Strategy is a re-shaped stuttering modification approach. Intervention aims to develop confidence in speaking and permission to stutter, not change the way the child speaks. The goal is to become an efficient, confident communicator. Creativity and humour are also used as tools to help children who stutter ‘problem solve’ and broaden perception to develop and maintain positive attitudes towards themselves and communication. Desensitization is a behavioural intervention. By using ‘humour’ in fluency intervention, the repeated pairing of a humour response with exposure to a feared stimulus gradually diminishes the feelings of anxiety evoked by the stimulus. The Fluency SIS application was awarded the ‘Best Content for Kids’ National Award (Malta) and the author is an advisory expert on the European Thematic Network POSCON- Positive Online Content and Services for Children in Europe