| Abstract | Purpose: To examine monolingual and bilingual school-based speech-language pathologists' training, perceived confidence, and perceptions of the treatment of bilingual children who stutter. Method: Participants (n=137) completed an original online survey that examined the pre-professional training, perceived confidence, current practices, continuing education involvement, and beliefs of monolingual (n=115) and bilingual (n=22) clinicians. Respondents were identified through the ASHA member directory through an advanced search criteria in which they indicated that they were ASHA certified, currently working in an elementary school, and clinical service providers. Results: The results from this study indicated that 13% of monolingual clinicians and 50% of bilingual clinicians believe their academic and clinical training regarding stuttering in bilinguals is adequate to serve this population. Additionally, only 17% of the monolingual clinicians and 60% of the bilingual clinicians reported feeling qualified to serve bilingual clients who stutter. Neither group of clinicians has attended many continuing education events that focus on stuttering in bilinguals. Furthermore, only 1% of monolingual clinicians and 18% of bilingual clinicians believe that they have adequate access to continuing education events that focus on stuttering in bilinguals. Conclusion: Modifications to undergraduate and graduate programs should be made to include additional coursework and clinical training that addresses stuttering in bilinguals. Secondly, continuing education events that focus on this issue should be made readily available. |
