A stutter is a speech pattern that includes repetitions of words or parts of words, prolongations or a complete block of speech sounds, and repeated use of interjections such as um, like, well.
Treatment Approaches
1. Stuttering Modification
These strategies help to increase awareness of stuttered speech, examine and reduce physical tension and ultimately reduce struggle behaviors. This approach also addresses negative reactions with the aim of increasing feelings of control, openness, and acceptance. Stuttering modification strategies include techniques such as Diaphragmatic Breathing, Cancellation, Pull Out, Pausing and Phrasing.
2. Fluency-Enhancing
These strategies include techniques that address breathing, speech rate, voice production, and articulation in ways that reduce stuttered speech. Fluency-enhancing strategies include skills such as, Stretched Speech, Easy Starts, and Light Contact.
A therapy approach that incorporates both stuttering modification and fluency-enhancing strategies offers the benefits of both approaches. Stuttered speech is directly modified and strong fluency skills are developed.
Therapy for children also includes training for parents/caregivers on the use specific strategies to help their child develop and maintain more fluent speech.