Elizabeth Mays, CCC-SLP

Speech therapy for stuttering can aim to improve the disfluencies in speech that occur that result in someone stuttering. If you have concerns about stuttering and how speech therapy can help, this post aims to answer what stuttering is, when to be concerned, and when to reach out for help from a professional.

What is Stuttering?

Stuttering, also known as disfluency/dysfluency, occurs in approximately 1% of individuals. It is more common among males than females. Speech therapy aims to improve the fluency of speech. Individuals can learn strategies to help manage their disfluencies. When strategies are learned and employed, individuals have the ability to improve their speech to a varying degree.

Types of Disfluencies:

Repetition: “li-li-li-like”
Prologation: “lllllllike”
Block: “l (pause) like ice cream”

Normal Disfluencies:

Common in very young children, ages 1.5-5 years. Normal disfluency does not persist or worsen. Disfluencies may come and go. These “normal” disfluencies often occur when the child is still learning to use language to communicate. We often say, their mouth and brain cannot keep up with all of the words they are trying to say. The child occasionally repeats syllables or words once or twice li-li-like this. Disfluencies can also include hesitancies and fillers such as “um”, “er” and “uh”.

Mild Stuttering:

Disfluencies may come and go but are present more often than they are absent.

The child may repeat sounds more than twice, li-li-li-li-like this. A block of airflow or voice may also occur, where the child stops speaking for several seconds. They may also present with tension and struggle in their facial muscles, specifically near the mouth.

Severe Stuttering:

Disfluencies make up more than 10% of your child’s speech in most speaking situations. The child presents with notable tension and effort. In more severe cases, blocks are more common than repetitions or prolongations of sounds seen in milder cases. Some children may begin to avoid certain words or speaking situations due to their disfluencies. Secondary characteristics such as nodding or eye blinking may also be present.

How to Help Right Now:

Slow down the family’s pace of life (if possible). Children feed off of your energy and the pace that is set for their day. Some children simply can’t keep up and that can reflect in their communication.
Model slow and relaxed speech; incorporate natural pauses.
Give your child some undivided attention. Especially if they are competing with other siblings for your time to talk with them.
Do not ask them too many questions.
Do not finish sentences for them, give them the time to get their words out.
Remain calm, be patient, and have an accepting attitude. Do not get upset or annoyed during instances of disfluency.
Remember, your child is doing their best. Changing what you are doing will have the greatest impact on the child’s fluency. Do not expect them to change without your help.
Do not hide the stuttering. Talk about it openly and freely.

Seek Professional Help for Stuttering When:

Stuttering has lasted for 6-12+ months
Stuttering onset is at a later age (3.5 years or later)
Stuttering is happening more often
Tensing and struggling while talking
Begins avoiding talking or says talking is too hard
If there is a family history of stuttering

Speech therapy for stuttering