Stuttering Therapy for Preschoolers: Fluency Shaping vs. Stuttering Modification Explained
As a parent, when you hear your child stutter or learn that they need fluency therapy, the decisions to be made can feel overwhelming. At Find My Voice Therapy, we’re here to walk you through every stage of the process from evaluation to diagnosis to treatment. However, we know that it can feel comforting to be as well-informed as possible going into the process. Today, we’ll talk about two different types of therapy your child may experience during speech therapy for stuttering.
What is Fluency Shaping
Fluency shaping is a technique used in fluency therapy that focuses on helping a child speak more smoothly. This is less about focusing on your child's stuttering and more on building new speech patterns that support smoother communication. It teaches children strategies such as slower speech, gentle starts to speaking, and slightly stretching or elongating their words to reduce speech tension. , gentle starts to speaking, and slightly stretching or elongating their words. This helps to build more relaxed speech patterns
What is Stuttering Modification
Stuttering modification is a technique utilized in speech therapy that helps children feel more comfortable when they stutter by reducing tension, fear, and frustration in the moment. It teaches them how to stay calm when a word gets stuck and how to gently move through the stutter instead of fighting it. Over time, this can help reduce fear around speaking and build confidence, even when stuttering still happens.
Choosing the Right Approach
There is generally not a one-size-fits-all approach to fluency therapy, and the professionals at Find My Voice will always use a customized approach designed specifically for your child’s needs. Our methods are evidence-based and designed to help children learn in ways that feel intuitive and comfortable for them.
Here’s what past clients have to say about working with us:
“Rachel has been a breath of fresh air for our family! We receive services weekly for both our boys and have noticed so much improvement in the short time she's been working with us. She's thorough and communicates clearly about what she's focusing on each week. My kids look forward to seeing her every week” - J
If you’re ready to help your child speak more smoothly and with confidence, we’re here for you at Find My Voice Speech Therapy in St. Pete. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.
