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Stuttering Therapy

Stuttering Therapy for Children and Adults

 

Stuttering is a communication difference that can affect children, adolescents and adults. For some people, stuttering has little impact on everyday life. For others, it can affect communication confidence, participation, social interaction and emotional wellbeing.

 

At Vibrance Speech Pathology, we provide evidence-informed stuttering assessment and therapy for children and adults across Wollongong and the Illawarra.

 

We aim to support:

  • effective and confident communication,

  • reduced communication avoidance,

  • participation in everyday life,

  • and positive speaking experiences.

 

Therapy is tailored to the individual’s age, communication profile, goals and experiences with stuttering.

 
What is Stuttering?

 

Stuttering (sometimes called a fluency disorder) involves disruptions to the smooth flow of speech.

 

Stuttering may include:

  • repeating sounds, syllables or words,

  • stretching sounds out,

  • getting “stuck” on words,

  • pauses or blocks,

  • physical tension during speech,

  • secondary behaviours such as blinking or facial movements,

  • or avoiding certain words or speaking situations.

 

Stuttering often varies from day to day and across situations. Many people who stutter notice that speech may become more difficult during:

  • excitement,

  • time pressure,

  • stress,

  • fatigue,

  • speaking in groups,

  • or high-pressure communication situations.

 

Stuttering is not caused by nervousness, poor parenting or lack of intelligence.

 
Developmental Stuttering in Children

 

Many young children experience periods of developmental disfluency while learning language. This can include repetitions or hesitations during periods of rapid language growth.

 

For some children, these difficulties resolve naturally over time. However, other children may continue to experience persistent stuttering and benefit from early support.

 

Factors that may indicate assessment is recommended include:

  • stuttering persisting over time,

  • increasing frequency or severity,

  • visible tension or struggle behaviours,

  • frustration about speaking,

  • avoidance of talking,

  • family history of persistent stuttering,

  • or concern from parents or educators.

 

Early assessment can help determine whether monitoring or intervention is appropriate.

 
Early Intervention Matters

 

Research supports the importance of early intervention for many children who stutter. Early support may help reduce the longer-term impact of stuttering on communication confidence, participation and emotional wellbeing. 

 

Importantly, therapy is not simply about reducing stuttering frequency. We also consider:

  • the child’s confidence communicating,

  • participation in conversations,

  • emotional responses to speaking,

  • family interaction patterns,

  • and the overall communication environment.

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For the best chances of eliminating stuttering, we highly recommend the Lidcombe program (see below), which has strong evidence for children under 6 years of age. Seeing a speech pathologist early, maximises the success rate of the program and the chances of achieving stutter-free speech.

 
Our Approach to Stuttering Therapy

 

At Vibrance Speech Pathology, we take an individualised and supportive approach to fluency intervention.

 

Therapy may include:

  • parent education and coaching,

  • reducing communication pressure,

  • supporting positive communication experiences,

  • fluency-shaping strategies,

  • stuttering modification approaches,

  • emotional support around communication,

  • confidence and resilience building,

  • and strategies to reduce avoidance and participation restrictions.

 

We recognise that communication confidence and participation are just as important as speech fluency itself.

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Evidence-Based Stuttering Therapy Approaches

 

Therapy approaches are selected based on the person’s age, presentation and goals.

 
Lidcombe Program

The Lidcombe Program is a behavioural treatment approach commonly used with preschool and early school-aged children who stutter.

 

The program involves:

  • parent participation,

  • structured practice,

  • supportive feedback strategies,

  • and regular monitoring of fluency.

 

Parents are coached to support fluency within everyday interactions in a positive and encouraging way. The Lidcombe program is the gold standard of stuttering interventions as it is supported by strong evidence (including randomised controlled trials) for children under 6 in reducing stuttering to near-zero levels.

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Westmead Program

 

The Westmead Program is another evidence-based early intervention approach for children who stutter, and often an alternative where the Lidcombe program hasn't led to success.

 

This approach uses syllable-timed speech patterns to support smoother speech production and may be appropriate for some children and families depending on the child’s profile and therapy goals.

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Camperdown Program

 

The Camperdown Program is commonly used with adolescents and adults who stutter.

 

This approach focuses on:

  • modifying speech patterns,

  • increasing control over speech fluency,

  • and supporting communication across real-life situations.

 

Therapy is individualised and considers both speech fluency and the broader impact stuttering may have on daily life.

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Supporting Communication Confidence and Participation

 

Many people who stutter experience more than just speech disruptions.

 

Children, adolescents and adults who stutter may also experience:

  • anxiety around speaking,

  • reduced classroom participation,

  • difficulty speaking in groups,

  • fear of speaking situations,

  • negative self-perception,

  • frustration,

  • or avoidance of communication opportunities.

 

For some people, the emotional and social impact of stuttering can become more significant than the stuttering itself.

 

Therapy therefore may include support for:

  • self-advocacy,

  • communication confidence,

  • participation in valued activities,

  • reducing avoidance behaviours,

  • and developing positive communication experiences.

 

We aim to create a supportive environment where people feel heard, respected and capable communicating in their own way.

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Stuttering in Adolescents and Adults

 

Stuttering does not only affect young children.

 

Adolescents and adults who stutter may seek support for:

  • workplace communication,

  • presentations or upcoming events (weddings are a common one),

  • phone calls,

  • social interaction,

  • university participation,

  • interviews,

  • or increasing communication confidence more broadly.

 

Therapy for older clients may focus on:

  • fluency management strategies,

  • reducing avoidance,

  • communication participation,

  • self-confidence,

  • and functional communication goals relevant to everyday life.

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Find out about therapy options for stuttering

 

Vibrance Speech Pathology provides evidence-informed stuttering assessment and therapy for children and adults across Wollongong and the Illawarra, including support using approaches such as the Lidcombe Program, Westmead Program and Camperdown Program.

 

Mobile and telehealth appointments are available.

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