Top Tips for Parents/Carers

Supporting Your Child Who Stammers

Stammers can appear in children gradually over time or seemingly in an instant. At two years old, my son went to bed with fluent speech and woke up with a stammer — repeating 6 or 7 sounds at the start of words. He didn’t seem to notice, but even as a specialist therapist, it was quite scary to see such a sudden change in my own child.

In younger children stammering is common and resolves in many children but for some children it will persist and specialist support is beneficial.

As parents or carers, you are in the best position to support your child’s fluency, and as Speech and Language Therapists, we can help you feel confident and informed in doing so.

General Strategies to Support Fluency

For many children who stammer, a few simple adjustments at home can make a big difference. These help by reducing pressure and reduce expectations for children to speak ‘perfectly’ or fluently:

• Have regular 1-1 or ‘special’ time with your child. Keep it low pressure and let them take the lead. It’s also great to have similar 1-1 time with siblings so that this time isn’t seen as something “extra” just for the child who stammers.

• Avoid giving advice like “slow down” or “take a breath.” These comments can make children feel like they’re doing something wrong — when stammering is something they can’t control. Instead, give them plenty of time, listen patiently, and show you’re interested in what they’re saying — not how they’re saying it.

• Keep demands low. It’s natural to want to ask lots of questions about your child’s day, but this can sometimes create pressure. Try commenting instead — for example, “I had a huge bowl of pasta for my dinner!” and see if they respond. If they don’t, that’s absolutely fine — we don’t need to push.

• It’s okay to talk about the stammer. If your child gets stuck, acknowledge it calmly and positively: “That got a bit stuck, didn’t it? I’m really proud of you for carrying on.” We don’t want the stammer to become an elephant in the room — children should know that their way of speaking isn’t something to hide or feel ashamed of.

When Should I Speak to a Therapist?

If the stammer persists for more than a few months or your child/you is becoming distressed or frustrated with it then it might be a good idea to speak to a Speech and Language Therapist for advice.

How We Can Help

At The Stammer Space, we provide online sessions for children and adults who stammer, as well as their families. A Speech and Language Therapist will help you understand your child’s stammer in more depth and guide you through specific communication strategies to support their fluency — and build your confidence too.

We also understand that having a child who stammers can feel worrying or overwhelming at times. That’s why we offer the option of working with a CBT therapist alongside speech therapy, if you’d like to explore this. The more relaxed and comfortable you are with your child’s stammer, the more relaxed and confident they are likely to feel about it too. 

If you are concerned about your child’s stammer and would like further advice and guidance please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What is Stammering?

What Is Stammering?

Stammering (known as stuttering outside the UK) is a difference in the way someone speaks. Around 1 in 100 adults and 5% of children experience a stammer at some point.

A stammer can affect how smoothly speech sounds come out. It may include:

• Repetitions of sounds (“b-b-but”), words (“and and and”), or phrases (“and he said and he said…”)

• Prolongations – stretching a sound (“Mmmmmy name is Finn”)

• Blocks – when no sound comes out (“My name is… Finn”)

• Fillers such as “um,” “err,” “ah”

• Tension in the face or body when trying to speak

• Body movements like blinking, tapping, or shifting to push words out

• Irregular breathing patterns such as gasping or taking deep breaths

Stammering can fluctuate. Some days may feel easier than others, and changes over time are normal.

When Does Stammering Start?

Most stammers begin between 2 and 5 years of age, a time when children’s language skills are developing rapidly. This is called developmental stammering.

For many children, the stammer naturally eases or disappears. For others, it continues into later childhood or adulthood.

Stammering can also start later in life. This is called acquired stammering and can sometimes occur after a neurological event or trauma, though it is much rarer.

Common Myths About Stammering

Stammering is not caused by:

• Parenting styles or home environment

• Divorce, separation, or stress

• Being shy, nervous, or anxious

• A person’s intelligence

These are myths that can add unnecessary pressure or guilt. Stammering is nobody’s fault.

What Causes Stammering?

The exact cause of stammering isn’t fully understood, but research shows it is a neurological and genetic difference. It’s related to how the brain plans and coordinates speech movements.

About 60% of people who stammer have a family member who also stammers (STAMMA, 2024).

Other developmental and environmental factors may influence how the stammer presents, but there is no single cause and no one to blame.

How Can Speech and Language Therapy Help?

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) work with children and adults who stammer, and their families, to make communication easier, more enjoyable, and more confident. Therapy is not always needed for people who stammer, therapy is for people who have challenges in daily life due to their stammer.

Therapy for Younger Children (Up to Age 7)

We support parents and carers to:

• Create a relaxed, pressure-free speaking environment

• Build positive communication habits

• Support confidence in speaking and listening

Early intervention is powerful because young children’s brains are flexible, giving them the chance to develop fluent, confident communication skills over time.

Therapy for Older Children and Teenagers

Therapy focuses on what helps most for each individual and their family. We often explore both speech techniques and emotional wellbeing, addressing worries or negative thoughts about talking.

We may work alongside a CBT-trained therapist to help manage:

• Fear of speaking or being judged

• Social anxiety

• Confidence and self-image

This combined approach helps children not only with speech fluency but also with how they feel about talking.

Therapy for Adults Who Stammer

For adults, we provide private online speech and CBT therapy to help you:

• Develop practical speech strategies

• Build confidence in everyday conversations

• Manage anxiety or negative thinking about speaking

Our sessions are tailored to what is important to you, whether that’s improving fluency, communicating more confidently at work, or feeling comfortable stammering openly.

Why Combine Speech Therapy and CBT?

Research and clinical experience show that a combined SLT and CBT approach can be particularly effective.

• Speech therapy focuses on how speech is produced.

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) focuses on how thoughts and emotions affect communication.

Together, they help you manage both the physical and emotional aspects of stammering.

Online Private Therapy for Stammering

At The Stammer Space we offer online therapy sessions for children, teenagers, and adults who stammer, providing accessible, flexible, and evidence-based support from the comfort of your home.

Every person’s journey with stammering is unique. Whether you want to:

• Build confidence in speaking

• Explore fluency techniques

• Reduce anxiety about communication

• Or simply understand your stammer better

We are here to help.

Get in touch today to book an initial consultation