Everyone experiences moments where their sentence doesn’t sound as smooth as they intended, utilizing fillers such as “uh”, “you know” and “like” to what we say. Sometimes we might say a sound or word more than once, these are called disfluencies.
Those who stutter may experience more disfluencies, or a different type of disfluencies, such as repeating a part of a sentence (repetitions), elongating a phrase or word (elongations) or experiencing difficulty in getting a word out (blocks)
There are several different kinds of stuttering: Developmental Stuttering, which is the most common and happens when a child is between the ages 2 and 5. Neurogenic Stuttering, which may occur after a stroke, or brain injury. Additionally, there is also Psychogenic Stuttering, which is the least common, and may happen after someone has experienced some sort of emotional trauma.
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “Children and adults who stutter also frequently experience psychological, emotional, social, and functional consequences from their stuttering, including social anxiety, a sense of loss of control, and negative thoughts or feelings about themselves or about communication (Boyle, 2015; Craig & Tran, 2014; Iverach et al., 2016; Iverach & Rapee, 2014).”
Does My Child Need Therapy for Stuttering?
If your child has been stuttering for more than eight weeks and is between 18 months and six years old, speech therapy may be a beneficial intervention. Therapy can help reduce the severity of stuttering and lower the risk of it becoming a long-term condition. However, distinguishing between typical developmental disfluency and childhood-onset fluency disorder can be challenging for parents and pediatricians. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) plays a vital role in screening, assessing, and providing therapy for children with communication disorders, including stuttering.
The Role of Speech Therapy for Stuttering
Speech therapy plays a vital role in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of stuttering. A team approach involving the SLP, the child’s parents, and the child themselves is essential for developing a customized intervention plan that meets the specific needs of each child and family. The primary goal of speech therapy for stuttering is to improve fluency and communication skills while enhancing the child’s self-confidence.
Stuttering Therapy
If therapy is initiated, the speech-language pathologist (SLP) will work closely with the child and their family on a weekly basis. Sessions will focus on setting therapy goals, discussing home programming, and implementing practice activities that fit into the child’s daily routine. While regular therapy visits are essential, the progress largely depends on consistent home practice between sessions. The SLP’s primary role is to guide parents in understanding and effectively applying therapy strategies in the child’s everyday environment.
What to Expect from a Speech Therapy Session for Stuttering
1. Establishing Rapport
The SLP will prioritize building a positive and trusting relationship with the child and their family. Establishing extensive background knowledge is crucial in creating a comfortable and supportive environment where your child feels safe to express themselves, and beginning developing the skills essential for their growth.
2. Assessment and Goal Setting
The SLP will assess the child’s current level of fluency and communication skills to establish a baseline. Based on this assessment, therapy goals will be set in collaboration with the child and their family, these goals must also be addressed at home through the support of the patient’s family. This collaboration will ensure that your child is best equipped in achieving their goals.
Speech Therapy for Stuttering at Little Tesla
At Little Tesla, we’re dedicated to supporting young voices and helping children communicate and express themselves to their full potential. If you’d like to learn more about our pediatric therapy services or schedule an evaluation for your child, please contact us today. Having a clear understanding of what to expect during speech therapy sessions and setting realistic long-term goals can empower parents to support their child’s progress toward improved fluency and a brighter future. Call us today and set up your initial evaluation to see if speech therapy would be best for your child!
