Speech Therapy For Children

Stuttering/Stammering Therapy for Children

Stuttering (also known as stammering, dysfluency) occurs when the flow of speech is disrupted by repetitions of sounds or words, prolongations of sounds or complete blocking of airflow.  Visible tension may accompany these disruptions.  Most children will experience some developmental dysfluency when learning to speak but stuttering is quite different in type and amount of speech disruptions and a careful diagnosis is essential.  Trained in the Lidcombe Program and also provide Palin Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for younger children.

Our clinicians are also trained to provide stuttering therapy for older children (8 years and up). This therapy may include learning strategies to achieve smoother speech and manage moments of dysfluency through approaches such as fluency shaping and stuttering modification therapy.

Fluency Shaping Therapy: focuses on teaching new speech patterns to increase overall fluency. Techniques may include slower speech, gentle voice onset, and controlled breathing. The goal is to reduce or eliminate stuttering by replacing old speech habits with more fluent ones.

Stuttering Modification Therapy: helps people manage stuttering moments more easily rather than eliminating them. Strategies include easing into a stutter, reducing tension, and practicing easier speech after a stutter. The goal is to make stuttering less disruptive and increase confidence in communication.

Additionally, therapy addresses common emotional aspects of stuttering, including fear, avoidance, and other strong feelings. Sessions may incorporate Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help clients identify and build on their strengths and resources, empowering them to overcome communication challenges.