Practical Ideas for the School Clinician . By Kristin Chmela, Barry Guitar, Charles Healey, Bill Murphy, Peter Ramig, & Patricia Zebrowski. Stuttering Foundation of America, 3100 Walnut Grove Road, Suite 603, Memphis, TN 38111. 6-tape set, VHS. $5/tape, $25/set. Reviewed by Noreen K. Steward, Athens, GA.

This set of six videotapes features presentations from various Stuttering Foundation of America conferences around the county. The six speakers are experienced speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who represent various professional backgrounds. The common thread among the speakers is their passion for helping school-based SLPs become more effective when treating students who stutter. Each speaker is actively involved in providing treatment, so they convey "real world" information.

Tapes 1, 2, and 6 present outlines for therapy techniques with emphasis on modifying stuttering behavior. Ramig and Guitar are shown working with children demonstrating techniques such as easy onset. Tapes 3 and 4 discuss therapy techniques for treating the emotional aspects of stuttering, with excellent suggestions for stimulating discussions with clients. Tape 5 is a presentation of counseling principles and suggestions for discussing stuttering-specific issues.

Since the videotapes were filmed live, the quality is average with some distracting light, angles, and shadows. All slides or therapy tapes are inserted with maximum viewing quality. Occasional overlap of topics occurs between presentations, but this leads to further understanding of a strategy or issue.

An excellent handout accompanies each video. Three of the six handouts have more information than the material discussed, so you will have to familiarize yourself with the pertinent section.

These videotapes are best suited for professional SLPs from any setting. They could be used for continuing education self-learning or group courses. They stimulate discussion of all areas of stuttering therapy and give practical techniques for implementation. Because the major focus is on therapy procedures, parents or other professionals who view them would need guidance.

I have personally used the first four tapes during a 10-hour staff development workshop within my school district. I highly recommend these tapes for any beginning or experienced SLP who works with school-aged children who have fluency disorders.