How to Treat Stuttering

No one knows the cause of stuttering. There are genetic, mechanical and social factors, not to mention old wives' tales, but none offers a workable explanation. There are, however, proven therapies to treat stuttering. Early intervention and willing cooperation from the stutterer and his family can reduce this disfluency and its accompanying social anxiety considerably.

Instructions

Treat Stuttering

• 1

  Observe the stutterer. Not everyone repeats initial sounds. Sometimes sounds are drawn out, blocked off, or consistently interrupted with "um," throat clearing or other sounds.

• 2

  Get a diagnosis early. Even a child as young as 4-years old can be diagnosed.

• 3

  Find a reliable therapist. The child's teacher or pediatrician may be able to recommend someone.

• 4

  Talk with the therapist. Find out what tools and methods she will use to treat the problem, what results she expects, and the role family, friends and teachers will play.

• 5

  Let the stutterer talk to the therapist. It is important that that the two "click" in personality. If the stutterer feels intimidated or hostile, he will not cooperate well.

• 6

  Ask to see the room where therapy will take place. It should be child-friendly (child-sized furniture for young ones) and the toys or games that will be used should be colorful and inviting.

• 7

  Request an occasional observation session. The therapist should concentrate on only two or three sounds or concepts, model the desired speech and use pictures and/or games to reinforce the learning.

• 8

  Use caution regarding electronic devices that reduce the severity of stuttering. They may work fairly well, but do nothing to enhance real learning in speech improvement.