HELP WITH STUTTERING FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: At Home Speedy Speech Therapy Stuttering Exercises

Summary

In this informative video, licensed speech-language pathologist Kelly Slim shares practical strategies for parents and caregivers to support children who stutter. She emphasizes the importance of giving full attention during conversations to reduce anxiety and improve fluency. Techniques such as using rhythmic speech patterns, easy onsets, and practicing repetition are recommended to help children speak more smoothly. Additionally, Kelly highlights the need for children to recognize the difference between smooth and bumpy speech. These approachable methods aim to foster confidence and enhance communication skills in children struggling with stuttering.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ensure your child has your full attention when they speak to help reduce anxiety.
• 😀 Make consistent eye contact to show that you are actively listening.
• 😀 Limit interruptions from siblings or distractions like TV during conversations.
• 😀 Use rhythmic patterns and intonation to help improve speech fluency.
• 😀 Practice sentences with clapping or snapping to establish a rhythm.
• 😀 Introduce an easy onset technique to reduce pressure at the beginning of sentences.
• 😀 Encourage repetition of challenging words or names to build confidence.
• 😀 Help your child distinguish between smooth and bumpy speech by modeling both.
• 😀 Use engaging activities to practice speech in a fun, low-pressure environment.
• 😀 Continue to model smooth speech until your child can identify the differences.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Kelly Slim's video?

The video focuses on strategies for parents and caregivers to help children who stutter or experience difficulties with speech fluency.

What defines fluency in speech?

Fluency refers to a smooth and soft rate of speech, while disfluency includes interruptions such as blocks, interjections, or repetitions.

At what point should a child's speech be considered stuttering?

When disfluency exceeds 20 percent in a conversation or speech sample, it may indicate a mild to moderate stutter.

Why is it important to give full attention to a child when they speak?

Giving full attention helps reduce anxiety and makes the child feel listened to, which can improve their confidence and speech fluency.

What role does intonation play in helping children who stutter?

Using intonation and rhythmic patterns can help children manage their speech more effectively, as they often speak more smoothly when using these techniques.

Can you explain the concept of 'easy onset' in speech?

Easy onset involves starting speech slowly and gently, which helps reduce the pressure and anxiety associated with beginning to speak.

How can repetition be beneficial for children who stutter?

Practicing challenging words or names through repetition can build a child's confidence and familiarity, making it easier for them to say those words in conversation.

What is the difference between smooth and bumpy speech?

Smooth speech flows without interruption, while bumpy speech includes pauses, repetitions, or other disfluencies. Helping a child identify these differences is crucial for their development.

What should a parent do if their child cannot distinguish between smooth and bumpy speech?

If a child cannot identify the difference, parents should continue modeling smooth and bumpy speech until the child is able to recognize the distinctions.

How can parents create a supportive environment for their child’s speech development?

By actively listening, minimizing interruptions, using rhythmic speech, practicing challenging words, and modeling smooth speech, parents can create a nurturing space for improvement.