Pediatric Fluency/Stuttering
At Garden State Speech Therapy, we specialize in providing expert assessment and treatment for pediatric fluency disorders.
We understand the impact that fluency challenges can have on a child's communication and overall well-being, and our team is dedicated to offering comprehensive and compassionate care tailored to each child's unique needs.
Pediatric Speech & Language Services
Our pediatric occupational therapy services are dedicated to fostering the holistic development of children with a family-centered approach. Our expert therapists provide individualized treatment targeting a range of areas. Through personalized and comprehensive approaches, we empower children to overcome challenges and reach their full potential in all aspects of their daily lives.
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Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by disfluencies when speaking.
People who stutter may have more disfluencies and different types of disfluencies. Disfluencies may include:
• Part-word repetitions – "I w-w-w-want a drink."
• One-syllable word repetitions – "Go-go-go away."
• Prolonged sounds – "Ssssssssam is nice."
• Blocks or stops – "I want a (pause) cookie."Stuttering may include secondary behaviors like head nodding or eye blinking - These occur because sometimes people who stutter use these to stop or keep from stuttering. They may also avoid using certain words or use different words to keep from stuttering.
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Like stuttering, cluttering is a fluency disorder; however, the two disorders are not the same. Cluttering involves speech that sounds rapid, unclear and disorganized. A person who clutters may exhibit excessive breaks in the normal flow of speech that sound like disorganized speech planning, talking too fast or in spurts, or being unsure of what one wants to say. Cluttering may include:
• Excessive moments of over-coarticulation, meaning that sounds and syllables are blended together “too much” so that it can sound like all sounds are syllables are not present (e.g., speaker says “ferchly” for “fortunately”).
• Excessive use of “normal disfluencies,” such as interjections (e.g. um, uh, er) and revisions (e.g., I would like to go—I was thinking about taking a drive).
• Pauses in places not expected grammatically, often making the speech sound “jerky” or “spurty”(Source: stutteringhelp.org)
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Our comprehensive assessment process begins with a thorough examination of your child's speech and language skills. For fluency disorders, we delve into specific areas such as speech rate, rhythm, and the presence of repetitions, prolongations, or blocks. This thorough evaluation helps us understand the nature and severity of your child's fluency challenges.
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We believe in a collaborative approach to assessment, working closely with parents, caregivers, and other professionals involved in your child's care. Your insights and observations play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of your child's communication profile.
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Every child is unique, and our assessments are tailored to address individual strengths and challenges. We use evidence-based tools and techniques to gather information, ensuring a holistic understanding of your child's fluency and communication abilities.
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Following a thorough assessment, our experienced speech therapists design customized, individual intervention plans to address your child's specific fluency needs. These plans are tailored to accommodate the unique needs, personality, interests, and learning style of each child. Our goal is to help our clients speak fearlessly by developing outstanding communication skills, reducing negative thoughts and emotions about their speech, and learning to physically manage moments of stuttering without struggle or secondary behaviors.
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We believe in the power of family involvement in the therapeutic process. Our therapists work closely with parents and caregivers, providing guidance on strategies and activities that can be incorporated into daily life to support your child's fluency development.
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Our practice is committed to employing evidence-based techniques in fluency therapy. From traditional approaches to cutting-edge methodologies, we stay current with the latest research to ensure that your child receives the most effective and up-to-date interventions.
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Beyond fluency, we address the broader communication needs of your child. Our therapy sessions are designed to enhance overall communication skills, including language expression, social interaction, and confidence-building.
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Experienced Team: Our team of licensed and certified speech therapists specializes in pediatric fluency disorders, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to each session.
Personalized Care: We recognize that every child is unique, and our interventions are customized to meet the specific needs of each individual.
Collaborative Approach: We believe in working collaboratively with parents and caregivers to create a supportive and enriching therapeutic environment.
Comprehensive Services: Our practice offers a full spectrum of assessment and treatment services for a wide range of pediatric communication disorders.
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Explore the following links for additional information and support on stuttering and cluttering:
Stuttering Foundation (www.stutteringhelp.org):
The Stuttering Foundation is a comprehensive resource offering articles, videos, and downloadable materials to educate individuals, families, and professionals about stuttering. Their website provides valuable insights into the nature of stuttering and evidence-based strategies for management.
The National Stuttering Association (www.westutter.org):
As a support organization for individuals who stutter, the National Stuttering Association's website offers a community-focused approach. It provides resources, support groups, and information on events that foster connection and understanding among those affected by stuttering.
International Cluttering Association (www.clutteringassociation.org):
Dedicated to the understanding and support of cluttering, the International Cluttering Association's website provides resources for individuals, families, and professionals. It offers information on cluttering characteristics, assessment, and treatment approaches.
Friends Who Stutter (www.friendswhostutter.org):
Friends Who Stutter is an organization committed to providing support and information for individuals who stutter. Their website offers personal stories, resources for children and teens, and guidance on building confidence and resilience.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (www.asha.org):
ASHA's website includes valuable information on stuttering and cluttering. It offers guidelines for speech-language pathologists, research updates, and resources for individuals seeking a better understanding of these communication disorders.
These resources serve as valuable companions on your journey to understand and address stuttering and cluttering. Whether you are an individual seeking support, a family member looking for information, or a professional in the field, these links offer reliable information and connect you with communities that share experiences and insights.
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If you have concerns about your child's fluency or communication development, we invite you to schedule an evaluation with our dedicated team. To learn more about how to get started, please visit our “First Time Patients” page. Together, we can empower your child to communicate with confidence and joy.
