HealthInfo Canterbury
Living with a child who stutters
What can I do?
There are several things you can do to help your child communicate clearly:
- Focus on what your child is saying, not on how they are saying it.
- Unless your speech language therapist specifically asks you to, don't tell your child to stop, slow down or take a breath, or make any similar comments. This can bring unnecessary attention to the stuttering.
- Give your child time to speak.
- Don't interrupt your child.
- Don't speak for your child, or let other children speak for them.
- If your child expresses frustration, for example "Mummy, I can't get my words out!", acknowledge their frustration but don't tell them what to say or how to say it.
- Learn more about stuttering by visiting START's website.
Who can help?
- Make sure your child sees a qualified speech-language therapist. If your child is aged under 5 you can refer them to the Ministry of Education's Early Intervention Service. If your child is over 5 your school will have to refer them to the Ministry of Education's Communication Service. There may be a waiting list and not all children may be eligible.
You can contact the ministry's Christchurch office by phone on (03) 378‑7300.
You may wish to pay to see a private speech language therapist. You can search for a therapist on the Speech-language Therapists' Association website. - START (Stuttering Treatment and Research Trust)
START aims to increase awareness of stuttering, and also to accurately assess and provide best-practice treatment for children, young people and adults who stutter. It is based in Auckland, but offers consultations by telephone and Skype.
Treatment for stuttering in children
Some children recover naturally from stuttering. Several treatment approaches are available for those who don't, and your speech-language therapist will choose the best one to meet your child's needs.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering – What is stammering?
Information about the characteristics of stammering (stuttering).
- Stuttering Foundation
Information and resources for children, teenagers and adults. It includes a page of free e-books you can download.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed December 2016. Last updated January 2019.
Review key: HISTU-130040
