School Age Stuttering

“Thanks for all you have done for our son. Although Pete still stutters, his fluency has improved greatly. We are no longer embarrassed to talk about stuttering. Thanks for helping us realize stuttering can be managed and is nothing to be ashamed of (John and Suzanne, parents of a 9 year old boy, Levittown, NY).

I recall being in Jr. High School in music class hoping the teacher wouldn’t call on me when I heard on the loudspeaker, “Will Lori Melnitsky please report to the speech office.” I wanted to crawl under my chair and disappear. How embarrassing and humiliating. Didn’t the school realize that the last thing I wanted anyone to know was that I stutter? In my mind, if I never spoke no one would know the obvious. Also, to be called out for speech therapy caused me to feel “different” and the last thing I wanted to feel at that age was different. This is why it is often necessary to seek stuttering therapy out of the school system to focus on learning fluency tools and work with a speech therapist with expertise in stuttering. Seeking out therapy at this age is important to prevent shame and fear of talking from developing.

Stuttering therapy is customized for each school aged child. Once children reach the age of 6, the chances of them eliminating stuttering entirely are greatly reduced. However, tools and strategies are available to improve fluency and boost confidence to overcome difficult speaking situations. Activities are geared towards the child’s interests.  It is usually recommended for school aged children to be seen twice weekly. It is most effective once weekly and once in a group session.  This is arranged according to the child’s schedule. It is vital that parents be involved in therapy sessions.