For the pre-schooler who stutters, AIS helps both the child and the family.

If you are worried that your preschool child is stuttering, we encourage you to speak to one of our expert speech therapists, SLP's (speech-language pathologists) who specialize in treating childhood stuttering as well as older children and adults with fluency disorders.

While speech disfluencies during early childhood are a normal part of speech and language development, certain risk factors may suggest a more persistent problem. We recommend an evaluation if:

• Your child stutters tensely, has excessive repetitions of sounds or gets “stuck” to the point that it concerns you.
• You notice your child trying to talk but no sound comes out.
• Your child is talking less in family situations and/or in school.
• Your child acts frustrated while talking.
• Your child seems to avoid saying certain words and talking to certain people.

What happens at an evaluation?

Research confirms that 75-80% of pre-schoolers who stutter stop stuttering in childhood. However, certain factors can help predict which children are at a greater risk for persistent stuttering.

During the evaluation, the clinician will assess:

• Your child’s history, including family history of stuttering.
• The presence of risk factors that might suggest your child will continue to stutter.
• Various aspects of your child’s speech production– including the child's fluency, articulation and voice characteristics
• Language skills including comprehension and expression.
• Parental concerns and possible contributing environmental factors.

At the conclusion of the evaluation, parents and other family members are provided practical information including educational handouts that will help them establish a plan moving forward.

We know it can be confusing to navigate all the information out there about stuttering in pediatrics, and we will help you understand the components of the various treatments available (including the The Lidcombe program, parent- child interaction therapy, indirect approaches focusing on environment modifications, and direct treatment focusing on physical speech modification.)

If treatment is recommended, the speech therapist will discuss the specific goals and therapy techniques that will be used to support both you and your child.

What does treatment involve?

Regardless of whether or not a given child recovers from stuttering, early treatment can help your child to:

• Develop more fluent speech patterns, with minimal struggle or tension.
• Remain a confident, effective communicator.
• Prevent negative thoughts and emotions about speaking from taking hold.

We personalize our treatment approach according to the unique needs of each child. Preschool stuttering therapy, as well as therapy for older children, promotes increased fluency, effective communication skills and healthy attitudes about talking. We make treatment interactive and fun, so children are motivated to participate.

• For young children who are unaware that they stutter, we may recommend indirect treatment. The indirect therapy approach focuses primarily on parent education and support to help you use simple, at-home strategies to help your child.
• For children who are aware of their stutter and are showing signs of avoidance, embarrassment or struggle, direct therapy may be best. We’ll work with both you and your child, promoting freer speech and greater confidence, as well as helping you modify the child's environment to maximize benefits.

What are the treatment options?

• One-on-one sessions that can be done weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.
• AIS Kid Groups, where children who stutter have fun and receive support while learning and practicing alongside other kids who also stutter.

Get started today

Speech therapy services for preschoolers are available in an in-person setting in New York City, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. We also offer parent consultations via phone or online video conferencing.

To learn more about any of these stuttering therapy services, please contact AIS at 212-633-6400 or at speakfreely@stutteringtreatment.org. You can also contact AIS directly here.