What to Expect from Therapy for Teenage Students Who Stutter

Learning about speech and stuttering

Your Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) will spend time teaching you about the mechanics of how we talk as well as what happens when we stutter.

Learning Smooth Talking Techniques

Your SLP will work with you to learn speaking and breathing techniques that are specific to you and your speech patterns. Many students who stutter use uncoordinated breathing patterns which affect their ability to speak smoothly.

Your SLP may work on smooth talking techniques such as coordinating breathing and talking, slowing your speech, gliding your words together and making your sounds with relaxed muscles. They may also work with you to learn relaxation techniques that you can use while speaking.

Speaking in different situations

Every speaking situation is different. How you speak with your friends in the park is different than how you speak when doing a presentation to the class or asking a question in a store. Your SLP will work with you to plan out and practice speaking in different situations. These situations can include:

  • With friends
  • In class
  • With a teacher
  • Doing a presentation
  • On the telephone
  • At a store
  • At a job interview

Communicating in each of these situations requires more skills than just speech. You SLP will work with you to improve other communication skills like eye contact, starting and ending a conversation, turn taking and speed of speech to improve your communication style in each different situation.

Reducing Avoidance

Many students who stutter avoid specific words or situations where they expect to stutter. In therapy we work to say these words and try these situations so that you are not changing your words or avoiding situations and are able to do and say everything that you want.

Talking about Emotions

Therapy will also involve discussing the emotions involved in having a stutter, working to reduce negative self-talk and discussing strategies to cope with reactions from other people.

It is never too late to start working on your best smooth speech!