Help Your Child Speak Smoothly and Confidently
Evidence-Based Stuttering Treatment | ASHA-Certified Speech-Language Pathologists
Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental communication disorder that affects the fluency and flow of speech. It's much more than just "talking funny" - it's a real neurological condition that impacts 5-10% of all children at some point during their development.
Stuttering, also called a fluency disorder, is characterized by disruptions in the normal flow of speech. These disruptions are often accompanied by physical tension, struggle behaviors, and emotional responses like fear or frustration.
Unlike typical childhood disfluencies, stuttering involves:
Many parents worry when their toddler or preschooler starts repeating words or struggling to get sentences out. The good news? Developmental disfluency is completely normal for children ages 2-5.
Common and usually temporary:
Requires professional evaluation:
Early intervention is crucial for stuttering. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcomes. Don't "wait and see" if you notice these warning signs:
Peak onset age. Most stuttering begins here during the "language explosion." Close monitoring is appropriate, and parent education can be very helpful.
Action: If stuttering lasts 6+ months or child shows frustration, get evaluated.
Critical intervention window. Natural recovery becomes less likely after age 4. Early therapy has the highest success rates.
Action: Immediate evaluation and treatment recommended. Don't wait - this is the optimal time for intervention.
75-80% of children who stutter will recover, either naturally or with treatment. The key factors for recovery include:
At Speech Therapy Consulting Inc., we use research-backed, individualized treatment approaches tailored to your child's age, severity, and needs. Our ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists are specifically trained in fluency disorders.
Teaches children to stutter more easily and with less tension. We help them identify moments of stuttering and use techniques to reduce physical struggle and fear.
Focuses on teaching smooth, fluent speech patterns through techniques like easy onsets, light contacts, and slowed speech rate. Gradually builds to natural-sounding fluent speech.
Addresses the emotional and psychological aspects of stuttering. We help children reduce fear, build confidence, and develop positive attitudes about communication.
Parents are essential partners. We teach you how to create a supportive communication environment at home and provide strategies to help your child practice.
Helps reduce fear and embarrassment about stuttering. Children learn it's okay to stutter and develop tools to handle difficult speaking situations.
Beyond fluency, we focus on helping your child become an effective, confident communicator who doesn't let stuttering hold them back from participating in life.
Early intervention is key. Our fluency specialists can help your child speak more smoothly and confidently.
75-80% of children who stutter will recover, either naturally or with speech therapy intervention. Early treatment significantly improves these odds.
For children who continue to stutter, we provide:
Remember: Even if stuttering persists, therapy helps children manage it effectively, communicate confidently, and not let stuttering limit their potential. Many successful professionals, teachers, doctors, and public speakers manage stuttering and live full, unrestricted lives.
We accept most major insurance plans and are in-network with many providers.
Stuttering therapy is typically covered by most insurance plans when medically necessary. We'll verify your benefits and help you understand:
Questions about coverage? Call us at (707) 366-5246 and we'll help verify your benefits.
A: Yes and no. It's very common for toddlers ages 2-5 to go through periods of disfluency as their language skills are developing faster than their motor skills. This is called developmental disfluency and affects up to 5-10% of children.
However, if you notice sound repetitions (b-b-b-ball), prolongations (ssssnake), physical tension, or if it lasts longer than 6 months, this may be true stuttering and should be evaluated by a speech-language pathologist.
A: Possibly, but not always. About 75-80% of children who stutter will eventually recover, but 20-25% will continue to stutter into adulthood if left untreated.
The problem with "wait and see": We can't predict which children will recover naturally. The longer stuttering persists (especially past age 4), the less likely natural recovery becomes. Early intervention significantly improves recovery rates and prevents emotional/social issues from developing.
Best approach: If stuttering lasts 6+ months or you see warning signs (tension, frustration, avoidance), get an evaluation. Early therapy is most effective and has the best long-term outcomes.
A: Don't wait! The best time to start stuttering therapy is:
Even if you're not sure whether it's "serious enough," an evaluation provides valuable information and parent education. We can help you determine if therapy is needed now or if monitoring is appropriate.
A: It varies significantly based on:
Typical timeline: Most children attend therapy for 6-12 months, with gradual reduction in frequency as they progress. Some children achieve fluency and graduate; others continue with maintenance therapy or periodic check-ins.
Important: Progress isn't always linear. Stuttering naturally fluctuates, so there will be good weeks and challenging weeks. Consistent therapy helps manage these ups and downs.
A: Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental disorder with both genetic and neurological components:
What does NOT cause stuttering:
Bottom line: Stuttering is neurological, not psychological. It's not your fault as a parent, and your child isn't doing it on purpose. Treatment addresses the speech motor and neurological aspects while also supporting emotional well-being.
Cities We Serve: Dixon, Vacaville, Fairfield, Davis, West Sacramento, Woodland, Winters, and surrounding communities
Office Location: 255 N. Lincoln St. Suite A, Dixon, CA 95620
Our ASHA-certified fluency specialists use evidence-based techniques to help children overcome stuttering and build communication confidence.
