Therapy for children of all ages
Treatment for preschool children
Preschool children who stutter are ideally placed to begin stuttering treatment. Preschool children are highly responsive to the Lidcombe Program and, as a result, treatment is fun, easy and rewarding for both parent and child.
The Lidcombe Program is an effective treatment for children who stutter. In Australia it is considered best practice for preschool children who stutter. It reduces stuttering, or removes it altogether, through praise and correction. The Lidcombe Program is done by parents under the supervision of a speech pathologist. It is the job of the speech pathologist to adjust the Lidcombe Program to the individual child's needs and interests. It can be provided in clinic, or over Zoom. Most children reduce their stuttering in roughly the same number of weeks, whether they have their therapy appointments at a clinic or over Zoom.
The Westmead and Oakville programs are other treatments used at our clinic. Both of those treatments have also been shown in clinical trials to be effective in reducing stuttering in children.
Every child and family is different and the therapy approach selected for a child will be is based on the goal of parents, the needs of the child and other factors related to the individual child. All approached scan be used in clinic or via Zoom.
Some parents are concerned that their young child may not be able to concentrate or sit still for the length of a session in front of a computer. We understand this concern, but wish to reassure you that, for most part, your child will be not be in front of the computer. Rather, they will simply play or look at an activity in the same room as you. As happens in the clinic, during most of the session your speech pathologist will be speaking and working with you, the parent. Only for a small portion of the session will your child be asked to sit in front of the computer. During that time, you will be asked to chat with your child or to look at a book with them; they are not expected to speak only to the clinician. Sometimes the speech pathologist may even turn off their camera, so as not to distract your child. This gives the speech pathologist an opportunity to listen to your child’s speech, and for you to demonstrate how you have been doing the therapy.
Research has shown that children who receive therapy in this way can progress as quickly as children who are having therapy at a clinic. Therefore, you can expect your child’s speech to improve as if they were having their therapy in the clinic.
Preschool children who stutter are ideally placed to begin stuttering treatment. Preschool children are highly responsive to the Lidcombe Program and, as a result, treatment is fun, easy and rewarding for both parent and child.
The Lidcombe Program is an effective treatment for children who stutter. In Australia it is considered best practice for preschool children who stutter. It reduces stuttering, or removes it altogether, through praise and correction. The Lidcombe Program is done by parents under the supervision of a speech pathologist. It is the job of the speech pathologist to adjust the Lidcombe Program to the individual child's needs and interests. It can be provided in clinic, or over Zoom. Most children reduce their stuttering in roughly the same number of weeks, whether they have their therapy appointments at a clinic or over Zoom.
The Westmead and Oakville programs are other treatments used at our clinic. Both of those treatments have also been shown in clinical trials to be effective in reducing stuttering in children.
Every child and family is different and the therapy approach selected for a child will be is based on the goal of parents, the needs of the child and other factors related to the individual child. All approached scan be used in clinic or via Zoom.
Some parents are concerned that their young child may not be able to concentrate or sit still for the length of a session in front of a computer. We understand this concern, but wish to reassure you that, for most part, your child will be not be in front of the computer. Rather, they will simply play or look at an activity in the same room as you. As happens in the clinic, during most of the session your speech pathologist will be speaking and working with you, the parent. Only for a small portion of the session will your child be asked to sit in front of the computer. During that time, you will be asked to chat with your child or to look at a book with them; they are not expected to speak only to the clinician. Sometimes the speech pathologist may even turn off their camera, so as not to distract your child. This gives the speech pathologist an opportunity to listen to your child’s speech, and for you to demonstrate how you have been doing the therapy.
Research has shown that children who receive therapy in this way can progress as quickly as children who are having therapy at a clinic. Therefore, you can expect your child’s speech to improve as if they were having their therapy in the clinic.
Treatment for school-aged children
Treatment for school aged children requires special sensitivity and experience for several reasons. First, many children in this age-group will have had some stuttering treatment in the past which they may not have found enjoyable or successful. Second, the child may be experiencing negative reaction to their stuttering in the form of teasing and bullying. Third, a child in this age-group may already have formed some unhelpful attitudes to communicating, and their self-concept may be affected. Specialised stuttering clinicians are able to carefully evaluate school-aged children to establish how best to assist. Parents are always included in a child's therapy appointments so that they can confidently support the child with home practice.
Different treatments are available depending on the age of the child. For some younger school aged children, the Lidcombe Program, or a treatment that uses syllable timing may be suggested. For older school aged children, the Camperdown Program may be appropriate. Speech Pathologists will always endeavour to make therapy fun for children and include games, activities and topics that they find interesting and motivating.
Johnson, G., Onslow, M., Carey, B., Jones, M. and Kefalianos, E. (2024). Lidcombe Program telehealth treatment for children 6–12 years of age: A Phase II trial, Journal of Fluency Disorders, Advanced online publication.
Treatment for adolescents
Parents often think that by the time their child is in secondary school, therapy can no longer benefit them. In fact, many adolescent children are able to engage well in therapy, and even take on much of the responsibility for therapy exercises willingly. Of course, the opposite can also be true: some children of adolescent age have no interest in attending therapy. The speech pathologist will always try their bets to understand the adolescents thoughts and feelings about their stuttering. It is vital for every person who stutters to feel supported by their speech pathologist, whether they choose to pursue speech therapy or not.
Some children in the secondary school years may have difficulty attending the clinic and for those adolescents, treatment over Zoom or delivered intensively during school holidays may be suggested.
Carey, B., O’Brian, S., Lowe, R., and Onslow, M., (2014). Webcam delivery of the Camperdown Program for adolescents who stutter: A Phase ll trial. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools. 45, 314–324.
Carey, B., O’Brian, S., Onslow, M., Packman, A., and Menzies, R. (2012). Webcam delivery of the Camperdown Program for adolescents who stutter: A Phase l trial. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools. 43, 370-380.
Treatment for school aged children requires special sensitivity and experience for several reasons. First, many children in this age-group will have had some stuttering treatment in the past which they may not have found enjoyable or successful. Second, the child may be experiencing negative reaction to their stuttering in the form of teasing and bullying. Third, a child in this age-group may already have formed some unhelpful attitudes to communicating, and their self-concept may be affected. Specialised stuttering clinicians are able to carefully evaluate school-aged children to establish how best to assist. Parents are always included in a child's therapy appointments so that they can confidently support the child with home practice.
Different treatments are available depending on the age of the child. For some younger school aged children, the Lidcombe Program, or a treatment that uses syllable timing may be suggested. For older school aged children, the Camperdown Program may be appropriate. Speech Pathologists will always endeavour to make therapy fun for children and include games, activities and topics that they find interesting and motivating.
Johnson, G., Onslow, M., Carey, B., Jones, M. and Kefalianos, E. (2024). Lidcombe Program telehealth treatment for children 6–12 years of age: A Phase II trial, Journal of Fluency Disorders, Advanced online publication.
Treatment for adolescents
Parents often think that by the time their child is in secondary school, therapy can no longer benefit them. In fact, many adolescent children are able to engage well in therapy, and even take on much of the responsibility for therapy exercises willingly. Of course, the opposite can also be true: some children of adolescent age have no interest in attending therapy. The speech pathologist will always try their bets to understand the adolescents thoughts and feelings about their stuttering. It is vital for every person who stutters to feel supported by their speech pathologist, whether they choose to pursue speech therapy or not.
Some children in the secondary school years may have difficulty attending the clinic and for those adolescents, treatment over Zoom or delivered intensively during school holidays may be suggested.
Carey, B., O’Brian, S., Lowe, R., and Onslow, M., (2014). Webcam delivery of the Camperdown Program for adolescents who stutter: A Phase ll trial. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools. 45, 314–324.
Carey, B., O’Brian, S., Onslow, M., Packman, A., and Menzies, R. (2012). Webcam delivery of the Camperdown Program for adolescents who stutter: A Phase l trial. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools. 43, 370-380.
