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Speech-language pathologists often struggle with the differentiation of stuttering from normal disfluencies in young children. Differential diagnostic protocols are frequently used to aid clinicians in this complex clinical task. In this article the general format and criteria, clinical data collection procedures, documentation, and relative use of quantification in six protocols are examined and discussed. In a forthcoming companion article, we will discuss problems encountered with the use of differential diagnostic protocols and offer suggestions for future research and the use of these protocols.

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This article follows an earlier American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology publication (Gordon & Luper, 1992) in which six protocols used in the differential diagnosis of beginning stuttering were reviewed. This paper presents both advantages and limitations in the use of the previously reviewed protocols. One of the apparent problems in the selection and use of protocols is the clinician’s difficulty in categorical diagnostic decision-making and consequent concern about possible misdiagnosis. In addition, insufficient quantification of the various criteria used in the protocols and inadequate demonstration of their reliability and validity are further problems to be weighed by clinicians. Recommendations about the clinical use of differential diagnostic protocols are made and areas of future research are discussed. Potential advantages include the simplification of a complex task, the provision of initial guidance in the selection of an appropriate treatment strategy, and early intervention for those selected.