In response to parents' concerns about their child who stutters, what is the most appropriate advocacy step for the SLP?

Recommending reassessment using silent reading is a thoughtful and informed approach when addressing concerns about a child's stuttering. By utilizing silent reading as a method of reassessment, the speech-language pathologist (SLP) can evaluate the child's reading abilities in a low-pressure context, which can provide insights into their fluency without the added stress of oral production. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the child’s communication skills since stuttering primarily affects spoken language.

Silent reading can also serve as a way to assess comprehension and cognitive processing skills without the variable of fluency affecting the results. This can help in determining if the child's stuttering is impacting their literacy development or if there are separate issues present. Additionally, such an approach promotes a supportive environment for the child and can reassure parents regarding the SLP's commitment to understanding the full scope of their child’s abilities.

Other options, such as conducting a reading assessment that involves oral production, may not provide the same level of insight into the child’s abilities while under the stress of stuttering. Waiting for speech improvement before reassessment could lead to delays in necessary support. Encouraging reading out loud could reinforce feelings of anxiety associated with stuttering, which is not beneficial in this advocacy context. Thus, the