Therapy for Stuttering & Fluency
Helping children and adults communicate with confidence and ease
Stuttering can affect people of all ages. Some children begin stuttering during the preschool years, while others continue to stutter into adolescence and adulthood. For some, stuttering has little impact on daily life, while for others it can affect confidence, participation and communication across home, school, work and social situations.
At SLP Therapy & Me, we provide evidence-based, individualised stuttering therapy for children, adolescents and adults. Therapy is tailored to your individual needs and goals, supporting confident communication while reducing the impact stuttering has on everyday life.
Understanding stuttering
Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects the flow, or fluency, of speech. Children and adults who stutter know exactly what they want to say, but sometimes experience disruptions to the smooth flow of speech.
These disruptions may include repeating sounds, syllables or words (e.g. “b-b-ball”), stretching out sounds (e.g. “ssssun”), or moments where speech feels “stuck” and no sound comes out. Some people may also show physical behaviours, such as blinking, facial tension, changes in breathing or other body movements, particularly when they’re trying to get a word out. These behaviours are often a response to the experience of stuttering rather than the cause of it.
Every person’s experience of stuttering is unique, and the frequency and severity of stuttering can vary from day to day or even throughout the same conversation. Some people stutter openly with very little physical tension, while others develop physical behaviours or begin avoiding certain words or speaking situations. There is no single “type” of stuttering, and each person’s experience is different.
Many factors, including excitement, fatigue, stress, emotions and communication demands, can influence how often or how noticeably a person stutters. These changes are common and don’t necessarily mean that stuttering is getting better or worse overall.
Importantly, stuttering is not caused by parenting or anything a child or family has done. While the exact cause of stuttering isn’t fully understood, research suggests it results from a combination of genetic and neurodevelopmental factors. Parents don’t cause stuttering, and children don’t stutter because they’re nervous, shy or speaking too quickly.
Whether you’re seeking support for your preschooler, school-aged child, teenager or yourself, therapy can help build confidence, develop practical communication strategies and reduce the impact stuttering has on everyday life.
When should I seek support?
You don’t need to wait until stuttering becomes severe before seeking advice. An assessment may be helpful if:
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stuttering has persisted for several months
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your child seems frustrated
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stuttering is increasing
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there’s a family history
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stuttering is affecting school/work
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communication is being avoided
If you’re unsure, an assessment can help determine whether therapy is recommended. Sometimes reassurance and monitoring are all that’s needed.
How we can help
Early Stuttering Support
Many children begin stuttering between the ages of 2 and 5 years, during a period of rapid language development. While some children naturally stop stuttering, others benefit from early intervention.
Early support can help reduce the impact stuttering has on a child’s communication, while providing families with practical strategies to encourage confident, enjoyable conversations at home. Therapy is tailored to your child’s individual needs and focuses on building positive communication experiences from an early age.
School-Age Children
As children grow, stuttering can begin to affect participation at school, friendships and confidence in speaking situations. Some children may avoid answering questions in class, speaking in groups or joining conversations because they are worried about stuttering.
Therapy supports school-aged children to develop effective communication strategies, build confidence and participate more comfortably in everyday conversations. Sessions are individualised and focus on your child’s personal goals, whether that’s improving speech fluency, reducing the impact of stuttering or increasing confidence when communicating.
Adolescents & Adults
Stuttering can continue into adolescence and adulthood, and everyone’s experience is different. For some people, it may affect social interactions, presentations, work, phone calls or everyday conversations.
Therapy is tailored to your individual goals and focuses on helping you communicate with greater confidence and ease. Together, we’ll develop practical strategies that support meaningful communication while reducing the impact stuttering has on your daily life.
Building Communication Confidence
Stuttering is about much more than speech. It can influence how children, teenagers and adults feel about communicating and participating in everyday situations.
Therapy aims to create a supportive environment where communication is valued over perfection. Together, we’ll build confidence, develop practical strategies and help ensure that stuttering doesn’t prevent meaningful participation at home, school, work or within the community.
Parent & Family Coaching
Families play an important role in supporting children who stutter. Therapy includes practical coaching and evidence-based strategies to help create relaxed, enjoyable communication opportunities at home.
We’ll work together to reduce pressure around talking, support your child’s confidence and provide you with practical tools that can be incorporated naturally into everyday routines. Our goal is to help your whole family feel more confident supporting your child’s communication journey.
What does a stuttering assessment involve?
A stuttering assessment helps us understand your communication strengths, the nature of your stuttering and how it may be affecting everyday life. The assessment also helps determine whether therapy is recommended and what approach is likely to be most beneficial.
During the assessment, we may:
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discuss your or your child’s communication, medical and developmental history
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talk about when the stuttering began and how it has changed over time
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observe speech across a range of speaking activities
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identify the types of stuttering behaviours and any associated physical behaviours
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explore how stuttering is impacting confidence, participation and everyday communication at home, school, work or in social situations
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discuss any concerns, goals or questions you may have
Following the assessment, we’ll explain the findings, answer any questions and discuss personalised recommendations. If therapy is recommended, we’ll work together to develop an individualised plan that reflects your or your child’s communication goals.
What does stuttering therapy involve?
Therapy is evidence-based and tailored to each person’s age, goals and experiences with stuttering. Depending on you or your child's needs, therapy may focus on improving speech fluency, developing communication strategies, reducing the impact of stuttering in everyday situations and building confidence when communicating.
Where appropriate, we also work collaboratively with families, educators and other professionals to help support communication across different environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for young children to stutter?
Yes. Many children experience periods of dysfluent speech as their language develops. However, if stuttering persists, increases over time or is causing your child frustration or concern, it’s a good idea to seek an assessment. Early intervention can be very effective.
Should I tell my child to slow down or take a breath?
While these suggestions are well intentioned, they can sometimes make children more aware of their stuttering and increase pressure around talking. Instead, it’s often more helpful to model relaxed communication, give your child plenty of time to finish what they want to say and focus on the message rather than how they are saying it. we’ll provide personalised strategies that suit your child’s needs.
Should I wait to see if my child's stuttering will go away?
Many children naturally stop stuttering, while others benefit from early support. Rather than trying to decide on your own, it’s often helpful to have an assessment. An assessment can help determine whether monitoring is appropriate or whether early intervention is recommended based on your child’s individual situation.
How long will my child need therapy for their stutter?
Every child progresses at their own pace. The length of therapy depends on your child’s strengths, goals and how stuttering is affecting their everyday communication. Regular home practice and consistently using the strategies discussed during therapy can have a significant impact on your child’s progress. Following an assessment, I’ll discuss recommendations tailored to your child’s individual needs.
Can adults benefit from stuttering therapy?
Absolutely. Many people seek support years after stuttering first began. Therapy isn’t just for children - it can help adolescents and adults develop practical communication strategies, increase confidence and reduce the impact stuttering has on everyday life, whether that’s at school, university, work or in social situations.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re concerned about your child’s stuttering or speech fluency, we’d love to help. Together, we can better understand your child’s communication needs and develop an individualised plan that supports confident, enjoyable communication at home, school and in everyday life.