Camp Dream. Speak. Live.: A Virtual Adaptation

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a virtual adaptation of the administration of Camp Dream. Speak. Live., an intensive, non-ableist manualized treatment program for children who stutter, with no indirect or direct fluency goals, in reducing the adverse impact of stuttering and increasing communication competence. Methods: Sixty-one children who stutter participated in Virtual Camp Dream. Speak. Live. Pre- and post-treatment measures were identical to previous in-person administrations: (1) self- and caregiver-report of cognitive and affective impact of stuttering (Communication Attitude Test for Children who Stutter [KiddyCAT/CAT], Overall Assessment of Speakers Experience of Stuttering [OASES], PROMIS Pediatric Peer Relationship, and PROMIS Parent Proxy Relationships), and (2) unfamiliar clinician ratings of communication competence of impromptu presentations. Results: Significant post-treatment gains were reported for the CAT, OASES, and PROMIS Peer Relationships Parent Proxy. Significant gains in post-treatment communication competence were observed. Pre-treatment stuttering frequency did not significantly predict changes in communication competence. Conclusion: Findings from Virtual Camp Dream. Speak. Live. demonstrate that the administration of the adapted telepractice format of this manualized program yields comparable findings as when administered in-person, suggesting promising implications for use in locations for which in-person provision and/or access is not feasible.