TreatPaCS: Treatment for Preschool age Children who Stutter

In short

Stuttering often starts at a young age, and early treatment increases the chance of recovery. In Belgium, three direct therapies are commonly used: Mini-KIDS, the Lidcombe Programme and Social Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. However, peer-reviewed evidence is lacking for two of these approaches. TreatPaCS is a large, non-commercial academic trial comparing the effectiveness of these three therapies in 249 preschool children who stutter. The project is a collaboration between Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, the University of Liège and Antwerp University Hospital, with support from the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre.

Need and relevance

Although stuttering can resolve spontaneously, research shows that waiting is often not a responsible choice. Therapy not only improves fluency but also provides peace of mind for parents and children. Yet two of the three widely used therapies (Mini-KIDS and SCGT) lack strong evidence from peer-reviewed publications. This study addresses that evidence gap and provides the knowledge needed for informed clinical and reimbursement decisions.

From approach to impact

TreatPaCS is a four-year, multicentre randomised trial. Each child is assigned to one of the three therapies and followed up for 18 months, with an additional follow-up after five years. Researchers assess outcomes such as speech fluency, quality of life and attitudes towards communication in both child and parent. They also explore which child profiles respond better to which therapy. Finally, the study compares the cost and duration of each method to support decisions by the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance. TreatPaCS contributes to evidence-based, tailored care and long-term improvements in both practice and policy.