Will my child always stutter?

Many children who start stuttering before age 5 recover naturally. For those who continue, therapy can significantly improve fluency and confidence. Some people who stutter achieve fluent speech; others learn to stutter more easily and without struggle.

Should I finish my child's sentences when they stutter?

It's best to let your child finish their own thoughts. Maintain eye contact, stay patient, and avoid saying 'slow down' or 'take a breath.' We'll teach you specific strategies that help reduce stuttering at home.

Is stuttering caused by anxiety?

No, stuttering is not caused by anxiety, though anxiety can make it worse. Stuttering is a neurological condition affecting the timing and coordination of speech. Understanding this helps remove shame and allows focus on effective treatment.

When does stuttering usually start?

Stuttering usually begins between ages 2 and 6, when children are rapidly developing language skills. About 5 to 10 percent of children stutter for a while and most outgrow it; a smaller number continue to stutter into adulthood.

What's the difference between normal disfluency and stuttering?

Normal disfluency includes occasional repetitions of whole words ('I I want') or revisions. Stuttering involves more frequent repetitions, prolonged sounds, blocks (getting stuck), and often physical tension or struggle. If you're concerned, an evaluation can clarify.

How can I help my child who stutters at home?

Speak slowly and calmly yourself, give your child plenty of time to finish speaking, ask fewer questions, and create low-pressure communication situations. Avoid drawing attention to the stuttering or asking them to slow down. We'll provide specific strategies during therapy.

Stuttering

Helping children speak more fluently and confidently through specialized therapy.

What Is Stuttering?

Stuttering is a fluency disorder characterized by involuntary interruptions in the flow of speech, including repetitions of sounds or syllables, prolongations, and blocks.

Stuttering is a neurological condition, not caused by anxiety or nervousness (though anxiety can make it worse). About 5 to 10 percent of children stutter for a while, and most outgrow it. Stuttering can impact a child's confidence and willingness to communicate. Our therapists use evidence-based techniques to help children achieve smoother, more confident speech.

Source: NIDCD