Stuttering

Holistic Speech Pathology - Stuttering - Speech pathology strategies for stuttering in North and Central Perth

Does your child get stuck when speaking?

Stuttering typically begins between 2-5 years of age and is believed to be present in up to 5% of the general population. Stuttering can affect a person’s interactions, relationships, learning and personal wellbeing. Research indicates that stuttering treatment is more effective at a younger age so early intervention is recommended.

It can look like this:

  • Repeating sounds or words (b-b-b-bus or bus-bus)
  • Repeating phrases (Take me – take me – take me first)
  • Stretching out words (sssssun)
  • Adding filler words more than usual (ah, um, er, like)
  • Blocking – pushing hard to get a sound out
  • Body or facial movements when speaking

What’s Included?

Our stuttering services include:

  • Baseline assessment to measure stuttering severity, behaviours, frequency, communicative environment, and impact on quality of life
  • Education for parents and families about evidence-based stuttering therapy and stutter-affirming approaches that support positive stuttering identity
  • Support to make informed decisions about therapy options
  • Evidence-based stuttering management approaches appropriate to the client’s age, presentation, preferences, and values
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Holistic Speech Pathology - Stuttering - Developmental Stuttering And Treatment For Children

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the common questions we receive. If you have any further questions not covered here, please contact us.

Stuttering is when a child has trouble speaking smoothly. They know what they want to say but might get stuck, repeat or stretch out sounds or words. It usually begins at around 2-5 years old.

The cause of stuttering is unexplained at this point in time. Research indicates that there is no intellectual, psychological, parenting or lifestyle link to stuttering. Some research indicates there could be a genetic link, based on a family history of stuttering.

Not always. We are not yet able to explain why some children will naturally recover soon after onset, yet in others stuttering becomes an entrenched speech difficulty. For this reason, we recommend investigating early, rather than waiting.

As soon as you can. Research shows that early intervention is essential for pre-school aged children who stutter and therapy is more effective the earlier it starts.

It is still important to assess stuttering in older children. There are evidence-based treatment options for people of all ages. We take a holistic, contemporary approach to stuttering which includes building positive identities and supportive environments that honour verbal diversity.

Stuttering is about how smoothly speech flows. The child knows what they want to say but they get ‘stuck’. Speech sound difficulties are about how a child says the sounds that make up words. Some children have both.

Have concerns about your child’s speech, language, literacy or fluency?

Start with a consultation to learn what the next steps are.

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