Children

children who stammer

Children

Stammering often starts when children are between two and five years old, but it can start later. Some children stop stammering quite soon after they start, whereas for others it might continue. One important thing to remember is that stammering is nobody’s fault – there is no evidence or research to suggest that stammering is caused by parents.

 

Stammering is complex in nature. It is caused by a number of factors which combine to determine the amount of stammering that is experienced, and the impact it has. These factors include:

 

Physiological factors including neurodevelopment, genetics, tiredness, and rate of speech.

 

Linguistic factors such as advanced or delayed language skills, lengthy and complexity of utterances, word-finding difficulty, and difficulty with turn-taking. Difficulties with speech sound production might also contribute.

 

Psychological factors including your child’s temperament (e.g. whether they are naturally sensitive or a worrier) and how your child reacts to moments of stammering.

 

Environmental factors such as pace of life, routines, and changes such as moving house, the birth of a sibling, or transitioning to a new school.

Every child has a different combination of factors. The first step is an assessment which helps to identify the specific factors which are relevant for your child. It is important for parents to leave the assessment with an understanding of stammering, as well as knowing what you can do – and why you are doing it – and to feel able to put ideas into place straight away.

 

Therapy aims to address the factors which are identified during the assessment. It can include increasing your child’s confidence, developing communication skills, and focusing on family turn-taking with brothers and sisters. More specific goals will depend on the outcome of the assessment and might include topics such as openness, dealing with feelings, managing behaviour, and knowing what to do in the moment of stammering.

 

A downloadable leaflet with more information about assessment and therapy is available here.

What I offer

  • 11 years’ clinical experience at The Michael Palin Centre, an internationally recognised centre of excellence based in London
  • Extensive experience working as a specialist at the national level, giving clinical support and guidance to fluency specialists from NHS Trusts across the country
  • An up-to-date knowledge of the latest research around the neurological, genetic, emotional, and linguistic factors associated with stammering
  • Experience working with the whole family to reduce the wider impact of stammering e.g. on parents and friendships
  • Experience delivering evidence-based therapy both face to face and online

Assessment

  • An increased knowledge of stammering and its causes can help parents to feel less worried and less anxious
  • The assessment includes a detailed case history completed with parents, a child interview, and completion of written forms, so that the factors relevant for your child can be identified and discussed
  • The assessment process ends with a ‘formulation’, a detailed description of the causes of stammering, the specific factors involved for your child, and the key areas that would need to be included in therapy
  • Assessments include detailed recommendations and advice, and a clinical report
  • The assessment is practical and recognises how important it is for parents to leave the assessment with an understanding of stammering, increased knowledge regarding what you can do and why you are doing it, and ideas that you can put into place straight away

Therapy

  • Therapy that works closely with parents, helping them to feel less anxious and less worried, and to know how to support their child
  • Detailed understanding of stammering and its causes, and therefore what can make a difference
  • Helping parents to know what to do and what to say during moments of stammering
  • Extensive experience of Palin Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, and supporting older children to start to take charge of their own communication and communication skills
  • Liaison with schools and teaching staff so they know how to help

Contacts

If you would like to book an assessment, click here...

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