WASSP: An international review of its clinical application

Abstract

WASSP: The Wright and Ayre Stuttering Self-Rating Profile was originally designed and standardised as an outcome measure to be used with adults who stutter in the UK. It reflects the increasingly influential World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework. Recent publications have demonstrated that WASSP is now in mainstream use, both clinically and as a research tool, and appears to measure change effectively with a variety of therapy approaches both within and outside the UK. WASSP is reviewed with regard to its psychometric properties and in the context of the recent focus on health related quality of life (HRQL) instruments. Evidence of the clinical application of WASSP is reported through the findings of a UK survey, an international survey and further sources of evidence. The conclusion considers the implications for a revised edition of WASSP and the development of an adolescent version (A-WASSP).

Keywords:

• Adults
• stuttering
• International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF)