Fluency (Stuttering)
Understanding Stuttering
Common Signs of Stuttering
- Repeating sounds, syllables, or words (e.g., "b-b-b-ball" for "ball").
- Prolonging sounds (e.g., "ssssssnake" for "snake").
- Blocking, where no sound comes out despite the effort to speak.
- Visible signs of struggle, such as facial tension or rapid blinking.
Who May Benefit from Speech Therapy for Fluency?
- Children who exhibit stuttering behaviors, such as repetitions, prolongations, or blocks.
- Children who experience frustration or anxiety related to speaking.
- Children who demonstrate cluttering, a fluency disorder characterized by a rapid and irregular speech rate.
How Speech Therapy Can Help
Our experienced speech-language pathologists provide comprehensive evaluations to determine the nature and extent of a child’s fluency disorder. Based on the evaluation, we create an individualized treatment plan that focuses on:
- Developing strategies to manage stuttering.
- Enhancing self-confidence in speaking situations.
- Reducing anxiety and tension associated with speaking.
What to Expect from Our Therapy Sessions
- Assessment: We begin with a detailed assessment to understand your child’s specific fluency needs.
- Personalized Plan: A customized therapy plan is developed to address your child’s unique goals.
- Interactive Activities: Our therapy sessions include engaging activities and exercises designed to increase effective communication and overcome negative feelings surrounding speaking.
- Progress Monitoring: We continuously monitor your child’s progress and adjust the therapy plan as needed to ensure meaningful improvements.
Our Approach to Fluency Therapy
- Evidence-Based Techniques: Our therapists use proven techniques, such as the use of both child and parent-focused strategies to help children achieve confident and effective communication.
- Supportive Environment: We create a positive and encouraging atmosphere where children feel comfortable practicing their speech skills.
- Family Involvement: We involve parents and caregivers in the therapy process to provide support and reinforcement at home.
Strategies We Use
- Stuttering Modification: Strategies to reduce the severity and frequency of stuttering moments.
- Affirming Approach: Activities to build self-advocacy and confidence when communicating with a variety of communication partners in their daily routines and to foster positive stuttering identity.
- Communication partner training: Strategies for the family to help the child reduce or manage stuttering.
"We had the most wonderful experience with Chicago Speech Therapy! Our speech pathologist, Miss Megan, developed a bond with our son almost immediately. By week two, he would await her arrival by the window in our front door! She quickly discovered all of his favorite things and would bring so many toys of her own that would keep him engaged and wanting to talk! She gave us (parents) tons of strategies to work with on our own in between her weekly visits. Our son made consistent progress under her care and has now been released from speech therapy ~ which actually makes us so sad ~ simply because we miss Miss Megan! She basically became part of our family and will be dearly missed. I couldn’t recommend Miss Megan and Chicago Speech Therapy more!"
"The process w/ CST was smooth, from the intake process, registration, processing insurance to on-going communication. Sarah was the Speech Therapist for our 9-year-old and she established a wonderful rapport with her and gained her trust over the months. I highly recommend CST."
