Speech Therapy for Stuttering Adults & Children


Stuttering treatment for children can begin as early as 2½ years old. For preschool children, the treatment is primarily focused on the involvement of parents and caregivers. School-age children receive stuttering speech therapy techniques to manage their stuttering moments and tools to cope with the emotional challenges related to communication. Adolescents and adults are taught strategies to control their stuttering and desensitization methods to address the emotional responses associated with stuttering during conversations. Treatment involves working with an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist trained in stuttering disorders to identify individual needs and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Tom Gurrister, M.S. CCC-SLP, is a board-certified specialist in stuttering and fluency disorders by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. He has directed intensive treatment programs for both children and adults, taught courses on stuttering assessment and evaluation at the University of Utah, and lectured extensively on stuttering evaluation and treatment. He is dedicated to helping his clients manage their stuttering and improve their communication skills through evidence-based treatments and a compassionate, custom-tailored approach.

Testing & Diagnosis

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Stuttering is typically diagnosed through a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a speech-language pathologist who specializes in stuttering and fluency disorders. The evaluation may include a detailed case history, a speech and language assessment, and a fluency assessment. The clinician will also consider the emotional and social impact of stuttering on the individual.

About Stuttering

​Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects the fluency of speech. It is characterized by repetitions, prolongations, and blocks in speech that can make it difficult for a person to communicate effectively. Stuttering can also lead to anxiety and low self-esteem, and it can affect a person's social interactions and relationships.

Signs & Symptoms
The most common signs and symptoms of stuttering include:​
  • Repetitions of words, sentences, sounds or syllables
  • Prolongations of sounds
  • Blocks of speech

Stuttering can also cause physical tension and struggle behaviors, such as:
  • Eye blinking
  • Head nodding
  • Foot tapping
  • Facial Tension and contortion

 In some cases, a person may avoid certain words or situations that trigger their stuttering, and may experience anxiety and embarrassment as a result.

Types of Stuttering

Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects the fluency of speech. It is characterized by primary types of stuttering behaviors such as repetitions (repeating sounds, syllables, or words) and blocks (complete pauses in speech where no sound is produced)and prolongations (elongating sounds or syllables). Understanding and addressing these behaviors is a key component of stuttering therapy and management.

Prolongation Stuttering

In stuttering, prolongations refer to the elongation of sounds or syllables within a word. Instead of moving smoothly from one sound to the next, a person who stutters may hold on to a particular sound for an extended period. For example, instead of saying "s-s-snake" quickly, a person might say "sssssnake." This type of stuttering disruption can make it difficult for the speaker to maintain a natural flow of speech and can be accompanied by visible physical tension or effort.

Block Stuttering

Blocks in stuttering are moments when a person is unable to produce any sound despite trying to speak. During a block, the airflow and the movement of speech muscles are obstructed, resulting in a complete pause or stoppage in speech. This can happen at the beginning of a word, within a word, or between words. Blocks can last for a few seconds or longer and are often accompanied by visible physical tension or effort, such as tightness in the facial muscles, neck, or chest.

Repetition stuttering

Repetition stuttering involves the repetition of sounds, syllables, words, or phrases. This type of stuttering disruption occurs when a person repeats parts of speech, often involuntarily, making it difficult to maintain a smooth flow of conversation. Repetitions can occur at various levels:
  • Sound repetitions: Repeating a single sound, such as "b-b-b-ball."
  • Syllable repetitions: Repeating a syllable within a word, such as "ba-ba-ball."
  • Word repetitions: Repeating a whole word, such as "ball-ball-ball."
  • Phrase repetitions: Repeating a phrase, such as "I want to-I want to-I want to go."
​Repetitions are a common characteristic of stuttering, especially in young children who are developing their speech and language skills. These repetitions can vary in frequency and severity, and they may be accompanied by physical tension or secondary behaviors such as eye blinking or foot tapping.

Causes of Stuttering

The exact cause of stuttering is not fully understood, though it is believed to be a combination of genetic, neurodevelopmental, and environmental factors. Stuttering can be related to differences in brain structure and function, as well as disruptions in the neural pathways that control speech. Psychological factors such as anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem can also contribute to stuttering.

Seeking Professional Help for Stuttering & Fluency Disorders
If you or someone you know experiences persistent stuttering that affects daily life, it may be helpful to seek professional assistance from a speech-language pathologist. As specialized professionals in stuttering and fluency disorders, we work closely with neuro psychologists who often diagnose and refer patients to us for treatment. Additionally, we offer evaluations to determine if treatment is needed, and we can refer patients to our partners in neuro psychology for a formal diagnosis when necessary.

Early intervention is critical as it can increase the likelihood of successful treatment and prevent emotional and social consequences that can arise from untreated stuttering. Therefore, seeking professional help as soon as possible is highly recommended.

Our Approach to Stuttering Treatment

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Our therapy approach addresses the stutterer's unique needs through an individualized program.  The treatment focuses on functional real life tasks, activities and assignments to transfer and generalize the stuttering management skills to the workplace, school and home environment. 

In some cases, stuttering can be eliminated, especially if caught early enough, in others the struggle and difficulty communicating can be managed and improved.  In all cases there is much that can be achieved improving not only communication skills but self confidence and a willingness to speak. 

Our approach to speech therapy includes a range of techniques may be employed to address stuttering, such as prolonged easy starts that slightly stretch each speech sound, voluntary/easy stuttering, where intentional monosyllabic repetitions resemble organic stuttering, pull-outs to catch and prolong the stutter, and desensitization strategies like acknowledgment to tackle feared situations. The choice of specific treatment approach depends on the individual's needs, goals, and the severity and duration of their stuttering.

Developmental & Childhood Stuttering Treatment

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Tom is certified in the Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention, and our entire team has undergone comprehensive training in this method. This developmental stuttering treatment program requires specialty certification, and studies have shown that it is successful in over 90% of cases. Early intervention is crucial for avoiding a possible lifelong disorder.  

For the school-age stutterer, a variety of stuttering management strategies and desensitizing techniques are taught.  Individual and group therapy as well as the Wasatch Children's Stuttering Management Program offer a variety of therapy approaches.  We also coordinate with the schools and other therapists working with your children. 

Our passion project, the Wasatch Children's' Stuttering Management Program, is a 501C nonprofit offering a weeklong intensive treatment camp for children ages 11-15. Providing both individual and group therapy infused with fun through functional group community outings and a holistic approach to treatment. Financial assistance is available.

Stuttering Treatment for Adults & Adolescents

​For adolescents and adults, in addition to stuttering management tools and desensitization strategies, we offer the SpeechEasy Fluency Device as an option for some individuals as an adjunct to traditional treatment. We provide individual and group stuttering treatment for adults to address the emotional and psychological aspects of stuttering, as well as the management strategies.
Stuttering Teletherapy Option

Stuttering Teletherapy Option

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Whether you're across town or across the country, our virtual platform brings top-tier fluency support directly to you. Our specialized speech-language pathologists offer personalized in-home therapy sessions, tailored to meet your unique needs. Engage in effective, high-quality treatment that ensures your progress while maintaining the highest standards of security and confidentiality through our HIPAA-compliant telehealth services.

  • Stuttering Treatment in the Comfort of Your Home
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Stuttering Treatment FAQs


What is the main cause of stuttering?
The exact cause of stuttering is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, neurodevelopmental, and environmental factors. Stuttering can be related to differences in brain structure and function, as well as disruptions in the neural pathways that control speech. Psychological factors such as anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem can also contribute to stuttering.

What are the three types of stuttering?
There are three main types of stuttering: developmental, neurogenic, and psychogenic. 1) Developmental stuttering is the most common type, typically beginning in childhood and characterized by repetitions, prolongations, and blocks in speech. It is often associated with nervousness or anxiety and may improve or worsen over time.
2) Neurogenic stuttering is caused by damage to the brain or nervous system, such as from a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurological disease. It may involve blocks, repetitions or prolongations of sounds, but can also include other speech difficulties such as apraxia or dysarthria.
3) Psychogenic stuttering is rare and is caused by psychological or emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or severe anxiety. It may involve repetitions, prolongations, or blocks in speech, but is often accompanied by other emotional or behavioral symptoms.

What is the most common form of stuttering?
Developmental stuttering is the most common form of stuttering, accounting for approximately 80% of all cases. It typically begins in childhood, between the ages of 2 and 4, and affects more males than females. While some children may outgrow their stuttering, others may continue to struggle with it into adulthood.

What is the incidence of stuttering?
The incidence of stuttering affects approximately 1% of the population, equating to around 3 million individuals in the United States. Among children, the prevalence stands at about 4 to 5%, with many outgrowing it regardless of interventions. Additionally, there are approximately 4-5 times more males than females who stutter, and children exhibit 2-3 times higher incidence rates of stuttering and other communication and articulation problems.

Other Stuttering Resources: