Stuttering Therapy for Children

 

Supporting confident, comfortable communication

 

Stuttering affects the flow of speech. It may involve repeating sounds, syllables or words, stretching sounds out, or moments when a child knows exactly what they want to say but the word seems to get “stuck”.

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Stuttering often begins in the preschool years and can appear quite suddenly, sometimes when a child has previously been speaking fluently. It can also vary considerably from day to day, which can leave parents unsure about whether to wait and see or seek advice.

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At Little Language, our Gold Coast speech pathologists can assess your child’s fluency, answer your questions and help determine whether therapy or monitoring is the most appropriate next step.

 

When should I seek advice about stuttering?

 

You might notice that your child:

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• repeats sounds, syllables, words or short phrases

• stretches sounds out when trying to speak

• has moments where speech appears to become “stuck”

• shows tension or effort when speaking

• avoids particular words or situations because talking feels difficult

• becomes frustrated, worried or upset about their speech

• has told you that they find talking difficult or that other children have noticed their stutter

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Not every child who experiences a period of stuttering will need therapy. However, it can be difficult for parents to tell the difference between typical bumps in speech and stuttering that would benefit from support, so you don't need to wait until it becomes severe before asking for advice..

 

What happens in stuttering therapy?

 

We start by getting to know your child and understanding when and how they stutter, how they feel about their speech, and the impact it has on everyday communication.

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For younger children, parents are an important part of therapy, and intervention may involve changes to everyday interactions as well as a structured treatment program. For older children, therapy is tailored to their individual experience of stuttering and may also address confidence, communication and the impact stuttering has on their daily life.

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There is no need to tell your child to slow down, take a breath or think before they speak. Our focus is on giving children the time and support they need to communicate, while helping families understand how best to respond to stuttering.

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Not sure whether to wait and see?

 

You don't need to make that decision on your own. When you call Little Language, you'll speak directly with a speech pathologist who can talk through what you've noticed and help you decide whether an assessment, therapy or monitoring is appropriate

 

Get in touch with our team to have a chat about your child’s stuttering.

 

Helping kids find their roar.