What Are Fluency Targets for School-Age Children and Teens Who Stutter?

What Are Fluency Targets for School-Age Children and Teens Who Stutter? A Speech-Language Pathologist Explains

By Lori Melnitsky, MA, CCC-SLP

Introduction

If your school-age child or teenager stutters, you may have wondered what actually happens during speech therapy. Many parents ask what their child will learn, whether therapy is just about slowing down, and whether fluency can improve. Effective therapy focuses on specific speech skills called fluency targets. These skills help children and teens speak with less physical tension, better coordination, and greater confidence.

What Are Fluency Targets?

Fluency targets are specific speech behaviors that help make speaking easier and more efficient. They are practiced one at a time and then combined into everyday communication. The goal is not perfect speech, but more comfortable and confident communication.

Why Are Fluency Targets Important?

Children who stutter may experience physical tension, breath holding, hard speech starts, avoidance of speaking situations, and anxiety. Fluency targets address these underlying speech behaviors while building confidence.

The 10 Fluency Targets I Teach

1. Easy Breathing – Learn relaxed breathing and steady airflow.

2. Easy Onset – Gently begin voicing instead of forcing speech.

3. Continuous Airflow – Keep airflow moving throughout speech.

4. Light Articulatory Contacts – Reduce tension in the lips and tongue.

5. Smooth Transitions – Connect sounds and words naturally.

6. Comfortable Speech Rate – Speak at a manageable, natural pace.

7. Natural Phrasing – Group words into meaningful phrases.

8. Reducing Physical Tension – Identify and release unnecessary tension.

9. Self-Monitoring – Learn to recognize and adjust speech independently.

10. Carryover – Practice fluency skills in school, social situations, presentations, phone calls, and everyday conversations.

How Parents Can Help

Encourage brief daily practice, praise effort instead of perfection, give your child time to finish speaking, and model relaxed communication.

Final Thoughts

Fluency therapy is about helping children and teens communicate with greater ease, less struggle, and more confidence. With individualized therapy, consistent practice, and family support, many young people develop stronger communication skills.

Lori uses these targets herself. She stuttered severly and has helped hundreds who stutter. One of her ten year olds wrote "I used to hide under my desk in school. Now i raise my hand."

For more information please email Lori@alllislandspeech.com