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Stuttering and Fluency Difficulties
Description: Stuttering is a fluency disorder characterised by disruptions in the flow of speech. These disruptions, known as disfluencies, can include repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words, prolongations of sounds, and blocks where no sound is produced.

Common Issues:
​Repeating Sounds or Words: For example, a child may say “b-b-b-ball” when trying to express themselves.

Prolonging Sounds: A child might stretch sounds, saying “mmmm-mom” for an extended period.

Pausing or Blocking on Sounds or Words: Children may experience blocks where they struggle to produce a sound or word, resulting in pauses in their speech.
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Tension and Struggle During Speech: Some children may exhibit physical tension or struggle when speaking, which can lead to frustration or anxiety about communicating.
​Intervention Strategies are tailored for the child based on the assessment and therapy plan.  Contact our Admin to book an appointment.

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Contributing Factors:
1. Genetic Factors
Stuttering tends to run in families. Children with relatives who stutter are more likely to experience fluency difficulties themselves.
Certain genetic markers are linked to speech disfluencies, making some children more predisposed to stuttering from an early age.
2. Neurological Factors
Research shows that individuals who stutter may process language differently in their brains. These differences can involve areas of the brain responsible for speech production and language processing.
Children who stutter often show differences in the timing and coordination of muscles involved in speech, leading to interruptions in fluency.
3. Developmental Factors
Stuttering often emerges when children are developing language skills rapidly. During this period, the demands of formulating complex sentences and thoughts can overwhelm their speech fluency.
When a child’s motor speech skills lag behind their language development, they may struggle to keep up, leading to stuttering or fluency disruptions.
Children with general developmental delays, including delayed language or cognitive development, may have a higher risk of fluency issues, including stuttering.
4. Emotional and Psychological Factors
Emotional stress, anxiety, or excitement can exacerbate stuttering. Although stuttering is not caused by anxiety, stressful situations can trigger or worsen disfluencies.
Children who are highly self-conscious or perfectionistic about their speech may experience more anxiety around speaking, leading to increased disfluency.
A child’s emotional response to their stuttering, such as frustration, embarrassment, or fear of speaking, can worsen the condition.
5. Environmental Factors
Environments that place high expectations on speaking quickly or perfectly can increase fluency difficulties. For example, children who feel rushed or pressured to perform in social settings may stutter more.
Family responses to stuttering, such as showing impatience, interrupting, or correcting the child’s speech, can heighten the child’s anxiety about speaking, potentially increasing stuttering episodes.
Major life changes, such as moving, parental divorce, or starting school, can trigger or intensify stuttering in children who are already predisposed to fluency difficulties.
6. Speech and Language Development
Children with difficulties producing certain speech sounds may also experience fluency issues. The effort required to articulate words correctly can disrupt the smooth flow of speech.
During periods of significant language development, typically between the ages of 2 and 5, children may temporarily stutter as they try to express complex thoughts that outpace their speech-motor abilities.
7. Temperament and Personality Factors
Children with highly reactive or sensitive temperaments may be more prone to stuttering, particularly in situations where they feel emotionally overwhelmed or under pressure.
Children who are shy or concerned with speaking “correctly” may experience more anxiety related to speech, which can result in fluency problems.
8. Cognitive Factors
Children with weak working memory skills may find it difficult to hold and process language while formulating speech, leading to interruptions in fluency.
Children who process language more slowly than they can produce it may stumble over words, leading to fluency issues.
9. Neurological Factors
Conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be associated with disfluencies, though these are not classic forms of stuttering. These disorders may influence the child’s ability to produce speech fluently due to issues with attention, motor control, or social interaction.
In rare cases, stuttering may develop following a head injury, stroke, or other neurological condition that affects the areas of the brain responsible for speech production (referred to as acquired stuttering).
10. Bilingualism and Multilingualism Factors
Learning two or more languages at the same time does not inherently cause stuttering, but the added complexity of switching between languages can sometimes make disfluencies more noticeable in bilingual children.
In cases where children are exposed to multiple languages simultaneously without enough support, language overload can occur, potentially leading to temporary fluency disruptions.
11. Emotional factors
In rare cases, stuttering may emerge following a traumatic event or emotional shock. This form of stuttering, called psychogenic stuttering, tends to have a sudden onset and may be linked to psychological factors rather than neurological ones.
12. Imitation and Learned Behavior
In some cases, children may temporarily develop stuttering by mimicking someone in their environment who stutters, but this is usually not a long-term issue.
If a child’s stuttering behaviour receives a lot of attention (either positive or negative), this can inadvertently reinforce the dysfluency.
13. Medical Factors
Persistent ear infections can affect hearing and auditory processing, potentially disrupting speech fluency in young children.
Hearing impairments can contribute to stuttering by disrupting a child’s ability to monitor and adjust their speech, which can affect fluency.
14. Sleep-Related Factors
Lack of sleep can affect cognitive functioning, including speech-motor control, potentially leading to increased disfluency.
15. Delayed or Inadequate Intervention
Delays in recognising and addressing stuttering or fluency problems can cause them to persist longer, especially if the child develops anxiety or self-consciousness about their speech.
16. Cultural and Social Factors
Cultural norms regarding communication, such as the expectation to speak quickly or assertively, can place additional pressure on children who stutter, exacerbating their difficulties.

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Steps for Parents: Addressing Suspected Stuttering and Fluency Difficulties
​1. Observe and Document:
Take note of your child’s speech patterns. Record specific instances of stuttering or disfluencies, including the frequency and context in which they occur.
2. Check for Developmental Milestones:
Review typical speech and language development milestones. This can help you understand if your child's speech patterns fall within the normal range for their age.
3. Engage in Conversations:
Encourage open dialogue with your child. Pay attention to how they communicate and their comfort level when speaking. Create a relaxed atmosphere that encourages expression without pressure.
4. Consult with Teachers and Caregivers:
Speak with your child’s teachers or caregivers about any concerns. They can provide insights into your child’s speech in different settings and how it affects their interactions.
5. Use Slow and Calm Speech:
Model slow and calm speech patterns when communicating with your child. This can help create a supportive environment and reduce pressure on them to speak quickly.
6. Schedule a Professional Evaluation:
If concerns persist, consult a Speech Pathologist (SP) for a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s fluency. An SP can assess the nature and severity of the stuttering.
7. Participate in the Evaluation:
Be involved in the assessment process by sharing your observations and any relevant documentation regarding your child's speech difficulties.
8. Discuss the Findings:
Review the evaluation results with the SP, who will explain any identified fluency issues and recommend appropriate interventions or therapy options.
9. Implement Recommended Strategies:
Follow the SP’s recommendations for therapy, which may include techniques to improve fluency, build confidence, and reduce anxiety about speaking.
10. Monitor Progress:
Track your child’s progress in managing stuttering over time. Regularly check in with the SP to adjust strategies and interventions as needed.
11. Encourage Positive Communication:
Foster a supportive environment that encourages your child to express themselves freely. Praise their efforts and celebrate progress, regardless of fluency.
12. Educate Your Child:
Help your child understand their stuttering in an age-appropriate way. Encourage them to be open about their speech and reassure them that it’s okay to take their time when speaking.
13. Stay Informed:
Educate yourself about stuttering and fluency difficulties. Seek resources, attend workshops, or connect with support groups to gain insights into effective strategies for supporting your child.

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​Referrals to Belong Health
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.

EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.

WA NDIS Registered Provider  

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Medicare
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from. 

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Private Health
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.

No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT

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NDIS Registered Provider
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list. 

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Phone: 08 9586 3934

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