Using SMS technology to collect early childhood stuttering data prior to treatment: pilot study

The use of telecommunication systems in the delivery of health services is increasing, particularly in the provision of specialist health services to clients in rural and remote Australia. In the management of stuttering, there are two reports of the Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention being conducted primarily through telephone contact that was supplemented by audiotaped or videotaped samples of children's speech. The successful outcomes reported in these studies have prompted further investigation into the value of "telehealth" in early childhood stuttering management. The current study investigated the use of Short Messaging Service (SMS) mobile phone technology to gather stuttering severity data from preschool age children in metropolitan and rural NSW Results provide further support for the role of telehealth as an effective and efficient data collection method in early childhood stuttering management.