Current projects

Palin Stammering Therapy for School-Aged Children (Palin STSC(8-14)):

Currently there are no adequately researched therapies for school-aged children who stammer. This therapy programme has been developed from the work of clinicians at the Centre.  It is a 10-week programme based on the Palin Model for children aged 8-14 and their parents. These topics include learning about stammering, building confidence, and helping the thoughts and feelings that children might have about stammering. The sessions are attended by the child and their parents / carers.

There are a series of studies which are focused on exploring the effectiveness of this approach at the Michael Palin Centre.

Title: Palin Stammering Therapy for School Aged Children aged 8-14: Clinical outcomes for children attending the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering

Researchers: Rosie McLean, Hope Kightley & Sharon Millard

Overview: This is an evaluation of the Palin STSC(8-14) therapy delivered at the MPC.

The families attending Palin STSC(8-14) at the Michael Palin Centre complete assessments before starting therapy, and over one year after starting therapy. These assessments measure:

– the outward features of stammering

– the child’s views on how much impact stammering is having on their life

– the parents’ views on the impact of stammering on their child, the amount of stammering and impact on them as parents, and their knowledge and confidence in how to support their child.

We have information from 122 children and their parents. Of these, 61 attended individual family sessions and 32 attended our one week intensive group. Families completed assessments before the start of therapy and then at 4-5 time points over a year. Scores on the children’s assessment showed that the impact of stammering reduced over time. Parents also reported that the impact on their child reduced, the outward stammering and impact on them as parents reduced and their knowledge and confidence about how to support their child increased. These positive changes are made without a significant change in the child’s outward stammering as measured by the therapist.  we also compared the group therapy results with our previous two week intensive group results and the findings were similar for the one and two week groups.

These findings were presented at the Oxford Stuttering and Cluttering Research conference in September 2025. We are writing up the findings for publication.

Title: Exploration of parents’ and children’s perspectives of change following Palin Stammering Therapy for School-Aged Children (Palin STSC (8-14): A Qualitative Study.

Researchers: Sarah Caughter and Martha Jeffery

Overview: We are currently in the process of data collection and analysis of semi-structured interviews with children and parents who have completed a one-year programme of Palin STSC(8-14) therapy, either in group or individual format. We are interested in participants’ perspective of change over time, and the influencing factors that may play a role in that change. We aim to complete interviews with 5 children and 5-10 parents who have completed Palin STSC(8-14) in group format and 5 children and 5-10 parents who have completed group therapy.

Whilst the Thematic Analysis is in its early stages, some interesting themes are emerging for the children around an important shift in perspective, understanding more about stammering and the value of the broader support network.  

Initial findings will be presented at the Oxford Stuttering and Cluttering Research conference in September 2025. 

Developmental Stuttering: Population-Based Genetic Discovery (IRAS 271996)

Researchers: This study is being conducted collaboratively by Wayne State University, Vanderbilt University, The Michael Palin Centre (London, UK), Curtin University (Perth, AUS) and Michigan State University.

MPC Team Members Involved: Sharon Millard, Hope Kightley, Rosie McLean, Chloe Rush, Vicky Crofts

Overview: The Michael Palin Centre (MPC) serves as the UK host site for this international, large-scale study focused on identifying the genetics and phenotypes that explain stammering.

With an estimated 3,000 participants to be enrolled globally, this study will constitute the largest and most comprehensive genetic investigation of stammering ever performed. We are proud to have been invited to collaborate on this project.

This study is open to recruitment. We are inviting individuals who stammer, or used to stammer, to participate. The study requires a saliva sample for genetic analysis. If you would like to take part in this study and would like more information, please contact: [email protected]  

What do adolescents who stutter want from therapy, and are these hopes aligned with the PERMA model of wellbeing?

Researchers: Sophie Card, Ali Berquez & Sylvia King

Overview: Building on our studies that have explored what children and parents want from therapy, we are conducting this investigation to understand what adolescents hope to gain. At the start of therapy, people are asked about their  ‘best hopes from therapy’. We are investigating what 15-18 year olds consider to be important and relevant changes that they hope to gain from attending therapy.

A reflexive thematic analysis has highlighted six themes and 18 subthemes, demonstrating that adolescents have a range of anticipated outcomes.

Findings were presented at the Oxford Stuttering and Cluttering Research conference in September 2025. The study and findings have been published.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0094730X26000793