Community Tools | Spero Stuttering

How can we NURTURE and EMPOWER children who stutter?

We produced the short film, Nurturing and Empowering Your Child Who Stutters, to support caregivers to set up their children for communication success.

Over the course of 20 minutes, speech-language therapists with expertise in stuttering discuss effective communication approaches informed by current research, experiences of those who stutter, and best practices designed to help children who stutter communicate freely, forge connections, increase confidence, and build resilience.

WATCH Q&A WITH SLPs FEATURED IN FILM

Community Feedback and Testimonials from Q&A Film

“You answered every single question that has been addressed for me since I started my journey. I think what you have done is a lifesaver for parents...there are so many parents that need this. Some, not all SLPs, have ignored us as parents and forgotten that we are the key to our kids’ success. You get them for 35-45 minutes weekly, we get them for a lifetime, and we have to let them know that it’s okay, it’s okay to stutter.”

Jamie Saunders, Parent of 14-year-old who stutters
(Parents)

"This is worth sharing with all our groups, especially with SLPs. This super helpful video for parents and caregivers shares smart advice about how to approach stuttering and stuttering therapy for children. It's an absolute must-watch for SLPs. It's pure gold."

John Moore, NSA Chapter Leader
(Stuttering Community)

"The video is so good! The Caregiver Guidance at the end of each section is particularly helpful and so well-crafted. This is such a gift to families (and SLPs)!"

Ally of Stuttering® Daniel Shaw
(SLPs)

Caregiver Guidance from Speech-Language Therapists

When a child stutters, parents and caregivers often feel uncertain about how to best respond in the moment. It's a natural concern that comes from a place of love and desire to help. While every child's journey with stuttering is unique, these five focus areas can help you create a supportive, confidence-building environment for your child's communication development.

Remember that your understanding presence is one of the most powerful tools in nurturing your child's communication growth. Let's explore the essential areas that can make a meaningful difference.

Communication

Focus on your child’s message and ideas. Be patient and welcoming listener for your child, including when they stutter.
Let communication be about connection, not fluency or performance.
Create safe spaces where your child can stutter without time pressure or judgment. Spending one-on-one quality time with your child daily can help them feel heard and valued.

Compassion

It can be difficult to watch your child stutter. Allow space for complex feelings (yours and your child’s); offer the same compassion you’d show a friend.
Sometimes interactions with your child may not go well. Apologizing for not supporting your child as you intended fosters healthy repair.
Advocate for your child’s voice if others question why their stuttering isn’t “fixed". Model active listening and directly teach others how to best support your child’s communication if needed.

Connection

Focus on being in the moment and listening fully in order to connect with your child.
Have open conversations about stuttering, acknowledge talking may be hard at times, and allow your child to share their feelings and experiences.
Reinforce the joy of talking and connecting with others.

Confidence

Praise your child when they show confidence, share ideas, or have the courage to speak up.
Lean into joyful moments of spontaneous talking and engagement.
Celebrate your child’s uniqueness and strengths. Reminders of their natural gifts can broaden the focus beyond speech.

Resilience

Encourage your child to keep talking, stutter and all. What they have to say is always important.
Speaking can feel risky to someone who stutters and your child’s reaction to stuttering can be influenced by listeners. Set your own worries to the side, stay with them through challenging moments and support their growing ability to take risks.
Talk openly about strong feelings, where they show up in the body, and healthy ways to express them.

These Caregiver Guidance tips are available in PDF format.

Download Caregiver Guidance PDF

Key Questions to Ask a Prospective Speech-Language Therapist for Your Child Who Stutters

Most speech-language therapists start as generalists with limited experience working with people who stutter. This makes it crucial to find a speech therapist who has undertaken professional development in the area of stuttering and is an active participant in the stuttering community.

A holistic approach to therapy addresses the unique experiences of a child who stutters, emphasizing confident and comfortable communication while ensuring they feel understood and empowered. When looking for a speech-language therapist for a child who stutters, the right questions can lead you to an ideal match.

Guiding Questions to CONSIDER

“Do you focus on the visible parts of stuttering, or do you help kids navigate the feelings and thoughts that might be 'below the surface'? Which is more important to address in therapy?”

Depth of Treatment

“What drew you to working with children who stutter? Do you have any personal experiences or stories that connected you to this field?”

Experience and Connection
to Stuttering

“Every child is unique, especially when it comes to stuttering. How would you adjust your methods to fit my child's specific needs?”

Tailoring the Approach

“How would you describe a typical session with a child who stutters? What kind of activities or discussions might take place?”

Therapy Approach

“What would meaningful and successful therapy outcomes be for my child?”

Valued Outcomes

These Guiding Questions are available in PDF format.

Download Guiding Questions PDF

Potential Positive Outcomes of Speech Therapy for Your Child Who Stutters

By understanding the varied outcomes of speech therapy, parents can make informed choices and establish expectations when searching for a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for their child who stutters.

The following are examples of affective (emotions and feelings connected to stuttering), behavioral (communicative actions), and cognitive (thoughts associated with stuttering) positive outcomes from speech therapy:

Cognitive Outcomes

Giving themselves permission to stutter
Engaging in open conversations about their stuttering journey
Stepping out of the shadows, no longer hiding
Letting go of constantly wondering what others might be thinking

Affective Outcomes

Feeling safe with who you are
Self-confidence and willingness/courage to face different speaking situations
Sense of community/belonging (not feeling alone)
Enjoyment in communicating

Behavioral Outcomes

Verbal participation in varying situations
Comfort, ease when stuttering
Increased talking
Increased spontaneity

Looking for a speech-language therapist?

Embarking on a journey to find the right speech therapist can feel daunting. A helpful starting point? The Ally of Stuttering® seal. An SLP with the Ally of Stuttering® seal:

Has undergone advanced training in stuttering post-graduation
Actively engages with the stuttering community
Is dedicated to regular, updated training in stuttering

explore our ally of stuttering® directory

Note: While the seal indicates commitment and training, it doesn't guarantee quality of services provided.

Curious to learn about the Ally of Stuttering®?

Learn the difference in training and preparation among speech-language therapists and hear from parents and individuals who stutter to understand why finding a specialist or an experienced speech-language therapist with the Ally of Stuttering® designation is so important.

Watch Video About Finding the Right Therapist Watch Video about Ally of Stuttering®