Department of Speech Pathology

Speech & Language Disorders

Treatment of Stuttering

Although there is no cure for stuttering, early intervention may keep stuttering from becoming a lifelong problem. A speech-language pathologist can evaluate the stuttering pattern and recommend therapy that can help a person learn to speak more easily and overcome psychological barriers, such as fear of speaking in public.

Treatment approaches include:

Fluency Shaping Therapy—Reprogramming the speech musculature (system of muscles) to produce fluent speech by coordinating respiration, phonation, and articulation.
Stuttering Modification—Modifying moments of stuttering with a strong emphasis on communicative attitudes and emotions.
Combined Approaches—Aspects of both treatment approaches (fluency shaping and stuttering modification) are combined.

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How to Help a Child Who Stutters

Provide an atmosphere at home that’s relaxed and allows ample opportunity for your child to speak.
Establish a family rule that everyone has to take turns and waits until one person finishes speaking before another begins. This will reduce pressure on a child to talk fast in order to be heard.
Listen attentively and encourage your child to talk to you about fun and easy topics.
Don’t interrupt when your child is speaking, even if he or she is having trouble or making mistakes.
Rather than trying to slow your child's speech, slow your own and be a good role model. Asking your child to slow down may only cause frustration.
Refrain from asking open-ended questions.
Wait for your child to get the words out rather than getting impatient and saying them yourself.
Don’t have your child practice certain sounds or words. This can make a child feel uncomfortable about his or her speech.
Avoid asking the child to speak for others.
Talk openly about stuttering if your child brings it up.
Discourage other adults from correcting your child's speech.
Don’t discuss the speech problem with others in front of your child.