About the European Stuttering Specialization

The aim of the European Stuttering Specialization (ESS), formerly European Clinical Specialization in Fluency Disorders (ECSF), is to provide speech-language therapists advanced knowledge and skills to achieve a high standard of competency in the specialist practice area of stuttering and cluttering. Speech-language therapists primarily work in general practice initially but many wish to specialize in a particular area of clinical practice such as stuttering and cluttering. Advances in research, knowledge base and practice support the need to train specialized stuttering experts.

This specialization course is unique in Europe and beyond because it brings together the expertise and viewpoints of numerous EU and non-EU specialists in a clear and overarching framework. This multidimensional approach ensures the educational standards of the course and the professional competencies of the graduates.

Moreover, this course provides an extra European dimension by creating a sphere of exchange and integration among the participating students and faculty members, affecting both students and faculty. It stimulates them to look across the borders and helps them realise the impact of an increasingly international EU environment.

The European Stuttering Specialization (ESS) recognizes that specialist clinical education integrates the fundamentals of science with the creative elements of art.

Accordingly, the ESS program provides graduate education in stuttering and cluttering that expands and strengthens clinicians' knowledge, critical thinking and evaluative abilities, clinical skills, and reflective professional attitudes. ESS fosters a community of therapists committed to excellence and lifelong learning.

To realize this mission, the ESS adopts the following position:

• The ESS provides training in stuttering and cluttering that includes and respects a wide range of perspectives on assessment, therapy, and terminology.
• At the heart of ESS is a person-centered approach committed to supporting people who stutter or clutter in improving their quality of life. Therapy is based on the biopsychosocial model and built on shared decision-making, where both the client and the therapist bring valuable knowledge and expertise. SLTs are trained to understand each person’s needs, goals, and experiences, and to adapt therapy to fit the individual, rather than expecting the individual to fit the therapy.