General advice and strategies that parents/carers and teachers can use for children presenting with dysfluency:
- try not to interfere with your child’s speech by asking him/her to slow down, take a deep breath or start again, as this will only draw attention to the dysfluency and may make it worse.
- when your child is speaking, make eye-contact with him/her, get on the same physical level (i.e. bend down), listen carefully and allow your child to finish
- reduce the number of questions that you ask, and allow your child to choose when to tell you things.
- encourage turn-taking. Children often become dysfluent if they feel that they will be interrupted.
- be aware of your own speech. Speak more slowly and clearly and avoid complicated language.
- notice when your child is more fluent (for example when singing, playing alone, reading) and encourage these activities.
- if possible have 5-10 minutes individual time with your child each day.
- do not worry if dysfluency occurs because your child is anxious, tired, unwell or excited. In these situations stay calm and do not pressurise your child to speak.
Maintain contact with your Speech and Language Therapist who can advise you further.
The treatment offered for people with dysfluency here in Bolton includes:
- individual and group therapy
- parent training sessions
- liaison with schools and other professionals
Sometimes our intervention also includes:
- relaxation techniques
- assertiveness training
External websites that provide information about dysfluency are: